McCormick Commits Funds to Unique Global Village Residence at Douglass College Capital Campaign Kick-Off; Litt Announces New Academic Initiatives

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, November 15, 2010 (Press-News.org) At a special event of The Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC - www.douglassdifference.org) to publicly launch its five-year, $35 million capital campaign in late October, Rutgers University President Richard McCormick confirmed a University pledge of $ 5 million in matching funds toward the construction of a state-of-the-art living-learning residence hall for the College's unique Global Village (goal $10 million). The Global Village encompasses ten living-learning communities focused on language, culture, social and business issues.

Describing Douglass (http://douglass.rutgers.edu) as a "pacesetter for the University, attracting the highest percentage of international and out-of-state students" at Rutgers, he noted that, as Douglass enrollment continues to climb, its students' grade point averages are "the highest in the student body."

In her first public appearance since her appointment as tenth Dean of Douglass, Jacquelyn Litt, Ph.D. noted that this capital campaign will "bring us to the next level of innovation." Exclusive of the Rutgers match, the campaign has raised $17.5 million thus far.

Thanking the audience of 150 alumnae and friends for their generosity, Litt said: "I'm proud to be dean at the crossroads of this time of opportunity" for the College. Pointing out that Douglass led the nation in women's science programs when it launched the Douglass Project in 1986 and continues to do so, she outlined several special initiatives she plans to introduce. Among them:
- A partnership with the School of Engineering and Environment - to involve Douglass students in an "Engineers Without Borders" program, using engineering solutions to help populations in disadvantaged communities around the world.
- The Contemporary Crisis Teaching Project--to educate students in civic leadership by addressing all aspects of a crisis like Hurricane Katrina through the interdisciplinary lenses of engineering , sociology, women's and gender studies, politics, arts, literature, film, etc.
- Student Leadership Council for junior and seniors - a new leadership training program building on the success of the College's first year "mission course" that will provide models for Rutgers and the nation, it will include visiting experts, long and short-term corporate and faculty guides and other opportunities to create best practices.

There is no doubt that "we face the challenges of a weak economy and a decline in state funding," she said, but, with the help of the alumnae, who personify the "Douglass difference, we will, to paraphrase Jane Austen, 'nourish what is already strong'."

Campaign co-chairs Joyce Albers-Schonberg ('65) and Alice Herman ('70), gave special recognition to honorary chair, Adelaide Zagoren ('40). Albers-Schonberg and Herman officially called an end to the "quiet phase" of the campaign by introducing the College's "Campaign for Douglass" video (www.douglassdifference.org) which sports the campaign's gold-toned logo.

Noting that all Board members have been early contributors to the campaign, Tina Gordon ('72), AADC president, brought the afternoon to a close with a salute to its chairs and co-chairs.

About The Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC)
Established by the Class of 1922, the college's first graduating class, the AADC today represents the interests of more than 36,000 graduates of Douglass College and the former New Jersey College for Women. With support from alumnae and friends, the Associate Alumnae provides exciting educational opportunities for Douglass students, as well as programs and outreach opportunities that foster connections between Douglass alumnae, students, faculty, staff and friends. For additional information, please visit www.douglassdifference.org.

About Douglass Residential College
Douglass Residential College boasts 1,816 students from more than 24 states and 14 countries; it recently welcomed Jacquelyn Litt, Ph.D. as its tenth dean. Founded in 1918 as the New Jersey College for Women (NJC), and later named Douglass College in honor of its founder Mabel Smith Douglass, the College was renamed Douglass Residential College following the reorganization of undergraduate education at Rutgers in 2006. Throughout its history Douglass has been at the forefront of education for women, and continues to support women's development in all arenas, including research, education, business, public policy, communication and community service. For further information, visit http://douglass.rutgers.edu.

Contact:
Christina Pagano, President of Pagano & Company Public Relations, at 212-213-2851
OR
Eileen Cotter, Interim Executive Director, AADC, at 732-932-2880, X 23.