Rutgers University—Camden

The annual Open Hearing is April 30, and your feedback is requested. See the details: rutgers.edu/openhearing.

We had a great time at the Walls That Speak panel, part of the Year of the Arts event in collaboration with the Voces de la Comunidad initiative. This event brought together talented artists and cultural organizers to discuss the transformative power of public art and digital platforms in amplifying underrepresented voices and sparking social change.

A huge thank you to professors Sean Duffy and Carla Giaudrone for bringing this impactful event to our campus!

Featuring:
-César Viveros
-Symone Salib
-Ginger Rudolph
-Conrad Benner

These incredible artists shared their experiences and insights on storytelling through murals and media in Camden and Philadelphia. Their work continues to inspire and empower our communities.

Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis joined leaders from Camden County this morning at the McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell at Haddon Lake Park to announce the line up for the county's free 2025 Summer Parks Concert Series. Chancellor Tillis noted that “The 2025 Summer Concert Series represents a vibrant celebration of the arts and community, and Rutgers University–Camden is honored to serve as the title sponsor of this beloved tradition at Wiggins Park. This year’s fabulous lineup of performers reflects our shared commitment to cultural enrichment and the power of music to bring people together—an ideal way to mark Rutgers–Camden’s Year of the Arts.”

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming visiting artist Dr. Ellie Irons to campus for two incredible Year of the Arts events. Students got their hands dirty making seedballs from indigenous plants as part of the Camden Colorfield Seedball Project. They also enjoyed a hands-on workshop where they learned to create watercolor paints from foraged plant parts and crafted a color chart showcasing various "feral hues."

We thank professors Elizabeth Demaray and Jennifer Oberle for facilitating Dr. Irons' visit, which beautifully highlights the collaboration between arts and science.

Don't miss Dr. Irons' final engaging lecture on Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in Room 110 of the Fine Arts Building. She will discuss her fascinating work with watercolors derived from foraged plants found in urban ecosystems.

Learn more about this event: https://bit.ly/3Y4Piw1

🌙✨ Join us for Midnight Notes
📅 Date: April 29th 🕖 Time: 7-9pm 📍 The Writers House

This month's theme is "Harmony," and we're beyond excited to feature the incredible Marrissa Joy! 🎤🎶

Marrissa is not just a poet and lyricist; she's also an herbalist. Expect a great evening filled with R&B vibes, introspective verses, and soothing handpan sound healing. Don't miss out on this unique experience!

https://bit.ly/3PWZOAU

The Midnight Notes Expect a great evening filled with R&B vibes, introspective verses, and soothing handpan sound healing.

Today, we celebrated Ph.D. candidates Meron Dibia and Truman Dunkley, awardees of the 2025 Chancellor’s Dissertation Completion Award. As part of the Chancellor's "15-in-5" initiatives, this award recognizes the excellence, persistence, and dedication of these doctoral students. The award provides crucial financial support, enabling them to focus on completing their dissertations.

Both students shared insights into their research: Meron discussed the “Water Harvesting Behavior of Termite Closed Mound Structures,” while Truman explored the “Modulation and Regulation of ATP Synthase within E. coli.”

Congratulations to Meron and Truman! Your hard work and perseverance inspire us all.

🎨 Join us on Thursday, April 17 for a conversation on how public art, social media, and community storytelling shape and transform urban spaces. 🌆

🗓 Panel Discussion 12:45-1:45 PM: Featuring Conrad Benner, Ginger Rudolph, Symone Salib, and Cesar Viveros, this discussion explores the role of murals, street art, and digital platforms in amplifying community voices and fostering social change.

👩‍🎨 Student Meeting & Workshop 4:45 PM: An opportunity for students to engage with the artists, discuss their work, and explore creative possibilities.

https://camden.rutgers.edu/event/walls-speak-public-art-social-media-community-voices

Walls That Speak: Public Art, Social Media, & Community Voices Featuring Conrad Benner, Ginger Rudolph, Symone Salib, and Cesar Viveros, this discussion explores the role of murals, street art, and digital platforms in amplifying community voices and fostering social change.

We had another exciting day at Rutgers–Camden! Faculty from various disciplines came together for Day 3 of SPARK! (formerly Research Week) to showcase their groundbreaking research and expertise at the Chancellor’s Faculty Research Symposium.

Associate Professor Maureen Donaghy, chair of the Department of Political Science, kicked off SPARK! (formerly Research Week) with a faculty keynote on successful low-income housing programs in Brazil that help transform cities into spaces of equality and well-being.

In her latest research project, “More Than a Roof and Four Walls: Putting Residents at the Center of Housing Policy from Brazil to the United States,” Donaghy is investigating the impact of self-managed housing projects on the lives of residents. She said her project grew out of asking how housing can serve the needs of low-income citizens while empowering them to improve their quality of life.

SPARK! continues through April 11. Check out all the events and register today. https://camden.rutgers.edu/event/spark

The State of New Jersey has officially designated April 9 as Paul Robeson Day, honoring the legacy of the celebrated athlete, actor, singer, scholar, and global activist. Robeson, a 1995 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, was valedictorian of the Rutgers Class of 1919 and the first African American to play football at Rutgers University.

The Paul Robeson Library at Rutgers–Camden stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, providing resources and inspiration to students and the broader Camden community. Today, we honor his remarkable contributions and continue to remember his dedication to excellence and justice.

SPARK! kicks off today! 🎉 Don't miss out on the amazing research events happening throughout the week. Check out the schedule and make sure to register for the sessions that interest you.

👉 Event Details and Registration

SPARK! Annual Faculty Fellowship Lecture, Featuring Dr. Maureen Donaghy11:20 a.m.–12:20 p.m., Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room

Since its launch in 2018, Rutgers–Camden’s Pre-College Arts Program has given hundreds of area teens opportunities to explore university-level courses like animation, graphic design, filmmaking, and music production. 🎬🖌️🎶

Fifty young creatives in grades 9 and 12 are enrolled this semester; the eight-week sessions run each spring and fall.

Read more about how teens about finding their artistic path through Rutgers–Camden’s faculty and facilities. https://camden.rutgers.edu/news/teens-find-their-artistic-path-rutgers-camdens-pre-college-arts-program

Teens Find Their Artistic Path in Rutgers–Camden’s Pre-College Arts Program | Rutgers University-Camden Launched in 2018, Rutgers–Camden’s Pre-College Arts Program has opened doors for hundreds of the area’s next generation of creatives, providing them with unique opportunities to discover their artistic potential.

Biology Associate Professor Angélica L. González’s research in Chile traces climate change’s impact on desert ecosystems over 50,000 years. Learn more about her work and how her students are engaging in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in this post for the Rutgers–Camden Faculty Blog.

Understanding Climate Change Through Ancient DNA and Modern Science | Rutgers University-Camden With support from the Chancellor’s Grant for Interdisciplinary Research, my research in the Atacama Desert in Chile combines modern ecology, paleoecology, geochemistry, and cutting-edge molecular techniques, such as ancient DNA, to understand how desert ecosystems have responded to climate change ...

SPARK! (formerly Research Week) kicks off on Monday, April 7. We invite you to join us for a series of great events. Be sure to check out all of the options and register today. https://bit.ly/3FRXUzY

SPARK! Annual Faculty Fellowship Lecture, Featuring Dr. Maureen Donaghy11:20 a.m.–12:20 p.m., Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room

🎭🌹 Don't miss Rutgers–Camden's production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Prof. Damon Bonetti! Join us April 10–13 and April 17–19, with shows Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm at the Walter K. Gordon Theater.🌟 Featuring a talented cast of Rutgers students, this play promises wit, love, and laughter. Purchase your tickets today! 🎟️ Tickets are available through the link below or at the box office one hour before the show! ✨ https://bit.ly/4f2LCBz

At the Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden, nearly 100 students, alumni, and leadership members are participating in a study that honors one Rutgers graduate’s memory. Read more about this research from Assistant Professor Catherine A. Stubin in this post for the Rutgers–Camden Faculty Blog.

Inside the Groundbreaking Rutgers–Camden Study Tackling Nursing Burnout | Rutgers University-Camden Research is well underway supporting the Hillary Project, an initiative honoring the memory of nurse Hillary Herskowitz, a Rutgers School of Nursing graduate who tragically lost her life due to burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to Leslie M. Walker CCAS'86, who received a 2025 "Above and Beyond" award from City & State Pennsylvania for excellence in community service. As executive director of the Sixers Youth Foundation, she has helped to grow the transformative community partnership between Rutgers–Camden and the Philadelphia 76ers!

Alumna’s Leadership of Sixers Youth Foundation Goes Above and Beyond | Rutgers University-Camden Leslie M. Walker CCAS’86 has spent her career working on behalf of the children and families of the Philadelphia region, and her current role is no exception. As executive director of the Sixers Youth Foundation—the nonprofit extension of the Philadelphia 76ers—she works to develop enriching p...