Tayari Jones' Winter Vacation

Ever wonder what professors do when they're not teaching classes? Well, for Tayari Jones, this winter break meant more teaching, but in a very different location: Uganda.

Tayari said: On January 10-15, 2009, I visited Kampala Uganda in order to be a workshop facilitator for FEMRITE, an amazing women's writing organization!

View more of her photos on flickr

Tayari Jones is a writer and professor in the MFA program at Rutgers-Newark. You can read more about her and follow her blog at http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/

Celebrating the Inauguration in the Robeson Center

A packed Robeson Center on Tuesday:

I didn't know the Multipurpose Room could fit so many people! It was great seeing the overflow into the downstairs lounge and cafeteria as well. (anyone get photos?) Students, faculty and staff all gathered to watch the ceremony.

There was food (really quite good) as well as patriotic cupcakes, which I didn't try because I had already loaded up on the spicy mini-burritos - but they certainly looked very festive.

Obama took the oath of office to a standing ovation and much photo-taking.

I've enjoyed reading all your comments on my previous post - keep them coming in, and send along photos/videos whether you were on campus or not.

A note about comments: Yes, I am moderating them, so keep them clean and on topic, please. This means NO profanity.

Your Thoughts on the Inauguration

Hi All! As you should know by now, we're going to be broadcasting the Inauguration ceremonies live today in the Robeson Center starting at 10am. Please stop by and share this moment with the Rutgers-Newark community. (for location and details)

We want to hear your thoughts about this historic event, so please comment on this post!

Spreading the Word About Geology

The Spring semester hasn't started yet, but not all professors go away in between semesters.

Last week Helen Paxton accompanied Earth Sciences Professor Alexander Gates to Science High School in Newark where he gave a special lecture about the field of geology. Did you know that geologists are in big demand these days? These students found out first hand what they could do with a geology degree.


Prof. Alexander Gates teaching a class at Newark's Science High School Jan. 5. With support from a grant from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Gates is engaging Newark students in the excellent career opportunities that await students who study geology and environmental sciences, at Rutgers and elsewhere.

Gates is the Department Chair and Graduate Program Director of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department. He recently appeared on the Discovery Channel as part of a documentary about earthquakes in New York.