Hurricane Sandy

Sandy Recovery for Spring Break

Students from several area colleges, including NJIT, are spending their spring breaks volunteering in coastal communities hit by Hurricane Sandy.

It's spring break for many college students. It's time to enjoy some time off from the grind of studying. Hang out with a group of friends, head down to the shore, hit the beaches early and stay out all day. And fill up trash bags with debris.  As colleges clear out this time of year some students are eschewing typical spring break activities for volunteerism, heading to coastal communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy to lend a hand. Beach cleanups, house demolition, reconstruction, and even something as simple, and necessary, as helping residents paint their homes are jobs being handled by students who are donating some or all of their spring breaks to aid in the shore's recovery effort. "I know that spring break is a big deal for most …

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Olson Uses Rebel Experiences to Lead Highlanders

Former player shining at the college level

When the women's basketball team from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) took the court this week against Rider University it was Howell's Sarah Olson leading the Highlanders out of the tunnel.  After a successful career with the Rebels Olson has become a key leader of the Newark school helping them compete against not only the top teams in their conference but in the state. "It's crazy," she said of making the transition from Group IV with Howell to Division I with NJIT. "It's a whole new world. It's really tough but I have great girls on the team that have helped me." Olson's first year was a learning and ended with Head Coach Margaret McKeon resigning following a 13-17 campaign. Under first-year Coach Steve Lanpher she said the …

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Brookdale to Showcase 4-Year Degrees

The community college will host an informational workshop Feb. 2 on its NJ Coastal Communiversity.

When Long Branch resident Megan Beckmann wanted to beef up her credentials in early childhood education, she knew Georgian Court University could provide her with the right classes. But instead of studying at the Lakewood University, she turned to Brookdale Community College and its NJ Coastal Communiversity, which has an alliance with five New Jersey universities.  By taking classes at Brookdale's Wall Higher Education Center, Beckmann was able to save tuition and take evening classes while maintaining her day job working with special needs children. "I liked the resources through Brookdale, and Georgian Court went above and beyond for their students there. I felt a part of the University,” Beckmann said. Three years later, Beckmann, who …

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