lazy days of summer? not at tcnj!

Those who talk of the lazy days of summer surely are not referring to life on TCNJ’s campus. The lucky few who spend their summer vacationing might be surprised to know that campus is usually bustling throughout summer’s dog days. Many students opt to take classes; many faculty members can be found teaching or doing research; and administrative offices remain open. In addition, the College hosts several events during summer, which draw large crowds to campus.

In June, more than 2,300 athletes, plus thousands of volunteers, families, friends, and spectators took part in the 37th annual Special Olympics of New Jersey Summer Games. Despite the steady rain that fell throughout the weekend, Special Olympians from across the state competed in aquatics, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, tennis, and track and field events.

This year marked the 17th time that the College played host to the Summer Games. The College’s ties to the Special Olympics go back a long way. Bessie Cutter Perlman ’25 was instrumental in first bringing the Special Olympics to the state in 1969, an accomplishment that earned her the title of “Mother of New Jersey Special Olympics.” These days, in addition to the College hosting the Summer Games, TCNJ students help raise funds for the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics Walk-a-thon event, which takes place each year during Welcome Week, has raised more than $100,000 for Special Olympics since it was first held in 1990.

In July, the College held its first-ever Urban Teacher Academy. The program was aimed at addressing a nationwide problem--recruiting and retaining quality teachers in urban areas.

Thirty-one students from area school districts attended the two-week academy. The students, all of whom had completed their junior year and expressed an interest in pursuing a career in education, had the opportunity to work with TCNJ’s distinguished faculty, community leaders, urban teachers, and administrators. They learned pedagogical practices, gained insight into aspects of the teaching profession, and took field trips to urban schools and local community-service agencies.

Student feedback about the program was overwhelmingly positive. “It was the most thought-provoking, involving, educational program that I have ever been a part of,” Justin Freedman of Lawrence High School said. Allie Leathem of West Windsor–Plainsboro North added, “[It] was an amazing opportunity for me. Any aspiring teacher should apply to participate.”

The Urban Teacher Academy was funded through the New Jersey Teacher Quality Enhancement Recruitment grant project, a $3.3 million grant provided by the US Department of Education—one of 16 such grants awarded nationwide.

Also in July, more than 100 New Jersey high school students called TCNJ home for four weeks as they took part in the Governor’s School of the Arts. The program, in its 22nd year at the College, helped the state’s most artistically talented high school students to explore their creative expression in several disciplines: creative writing, dance, music, theater, video/film, and visual arts.

During their time on campus, the students, all rising high school seniors, had the opportunity to take college-level courses, attend workshops, and collaborate on group projects. The culminating event of the program was an all-day Arts Festival, where students had the opportunity to share their masterpieces or perform before family and friends.

Additionally, for the third year in a row, Governor’s School students performed free lunchtime concerts each Thursday in July—much to the delight of the campus community. In conjunction with these concerts, Sodexho shut down the Food Court, broke out the grills, and served up a delicious barbeque feast.

Competition to enter the Governor’s School of the Arts program is intense. Students had to be nominated by their high school and, depending on their discipline, either auditioned or submitted portfolio materials for review. More than 900 students applied for the 115 positions.

The School contributes to New Jersey’s civic culture by developing the state’s talented young citizens. The program almost fell victim to state budget cuts last spring, but was saved through generous private donations.