2008 Woodie Awards
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich gave a grim picture of America's future last night in the Simon Forum. Best known as the author of the "Contract with America," which enabled the return of Republicans as the majority in the House in 1994, Gingrich addressed the 2008 presidential election and the need for a smaller government and less bureaucracy in the United States.
The Drew University Student Government Association made history last night. In a landslide victory, Dana Etkowicz ('09) and Maria Gonzalez ('09) became the first all female ticket in Drew history with 336 votes. Students also voted Dominique Wilburn ('10) as ECAB Chair and Andrew Cronholm ('08), Jen Dugan ('08) and Ryosuki Kuroki ('08) as the top three finalists for senior speaker.
In September, acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman will make Drew University one of two northeastern stops on his upcoming book tour, promoting "Green Is the New Red, White, and Blue: America's Mission in a World That Is Hot, Flat, and Crowded.
Drew University will say goodbye to another one of its key players this semester. Special Assistant for Diversity, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Writing Center Erec Smith will resign as of June 1. Smith said he will relocate to the Philadelphia area to work at Ursinus College, which is not only his alma mater, but also where he met his fiancee.
For the third year since 2004, Drew University added one of its own to the list of winners of the Goldwater Scholarship Awards. Chemistry major Ann Mularz ('09) was selected as a scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation for her research and distinction in the sciences.
Professor and Chair of the History Department Perry Leavell speaks at The Aquinas Presentation in Mead Hall on Monday about his upcoming retirement from Drew in May. Leavell, who headed the committee for the new College of Liberal Arts Dean, reflected on his 41 years at Drew and how it changed throughout the years.
In addition to losing well-loved Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Paolo Cucchi when the spring semester ends, the Drew community will also face the loss of longtime staff member Administrative Assistant to the Dean Judy Miller. Miller, a Drew University alumna (CLA '62), has worked under Cucchi for as long as he has been the dean of the College of Liberal Arts.