Office of the President

November 6, 2023



Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,


With Veteran’s Day coming up later this week, please join me and members of the WP veteran community tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 12:30-1:00 p.m. in planting flags in Zanfino Plaza to honor fallen soldiers. As always, check daily announcements and Pioneer Life for a complete listing of events related to both Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month.


Also tomorrow, please put on your favorite orange and black WP gear and come out to the Sports and Recreation Center to cheer on our women’s volleyball team as they take on Rowan University in the NJAC Tournament quarterfinals at 7:00 p.m. 


And at the end of this busy week, lace up your hiking boots or sneakers and join Provost Josh Powers as he leads colleagues and members of the WP community on a hike to the top of High Mountain in High Mountain Park Preserve, which is adjacent to campus. There is no fee to participate, but gifts will support the Provost Powers Student Emergency Grant, which assists students in need. Gifts will be matched by Provost Powers up to $100 per donor and $5,000 in total. To register and learn more please click here. The hike is a prelude to WP’s Fall Giving Day on Wednesday, Nov. 15 when, in addition to the Provost Powers Emergency Grant, there are several other opportunities to invest in William Paterson University students so they can gain access to transformative educational opportunities by supporting the scholarship or project that means the most to you. Please click here to see the full list of projects that will be available to support.


I am honored to have been invited to speak at the Second LGBTQ+ Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 14 in Atlantic City, which will be taking place during the Annual League of Municipalities Conference. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share some of the many great things happening at William Paterson with an influential audience of public officials and business leaders, including our support for LGBTQ students and how they and all our Pioneer students and alumni are helping build a stronger New Jersey. 


After a very successful October Open House, our Admissions team and partners across campus will host another opportunity for prospective students and families to learn about William Paterson on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10:00 a.m. If you know of anyone involved in the college search, please encourage them to take part by registering here.  


Turning to matters beyond our campus, I recognize that members of our community, like family and friends throughout our state, the nation and world, are struggling with the impact of the terrible events occurring in the Mideast. These are truly worrisome times. I want to be clear that I unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas. I also want to reaffirm that, as a University community, we will continue to support all members of our diverse community and encourage and foster civil and respectful discussion of these very complex events.


And, finally, tomorrow is Election Day, which provides American citizens with their most fundamental opportunity to participate in our democracy – at the ballot box. I urge everyone to participate and make your voice heard, whatever your political preferences. 

This week’s WPWe are Proud – The WP community came together to host a fun time for young trick-or-treaters at this year’s Fall Harvest/Trunk or Treat, which was co-hosted by the Child Development Center and WP Campus Community Policing. Participants with decorated trunks and treats for our youngest Pioneers included the Car Club, University Police, the School of Continuing and Professional Education, the Education Club, the Office of Field Experiences and Partnerships, Human Resources, and WP Online. Thanks to Director of Public Safety and University Police Charles Lowe and George Guzman and Jason Hunter of University Police; Director of Facilities and Physical Plant Operations Jim Shelley and Supervisor of Institutional Grounds and Recycling Keith McNie; College of Education Dean Amy Ginsberg; Director of the Child Development Center & Early Childhood Innovation Cindy Gennarelli, along with all the students, faculty, and staff, who took part in making this a special day for the children.


Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Helldobler, Ph.D.
President
Office of the President | 973.720.2222 | president@wpunj.edu