President Obama Visits FDU

U.S. President Barack Obama,
left, and FDU President J. Michael
Adams.

For only the second time in Fairleigh Dickinson’s history, a sitting U.S. president visited the University. On Wednesday, October 21, President Barack Obama spoke at the Rothman Center on the Metropolitan Campus as part of a campaign event for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine.

FDU President J. Michael Adams welcomed the large and enthusiastic crowd and met briefly with both President Obama and Governor Corzine. Although this was not an FDU event, the University was able to obtain a limited number of tickets, which went primarily to students. FDU also provided a live webcast of the event to selected viewing areas on its campuses. Because of traffic concerns and security measures, the University cancelled classes on the Metropolitan Campus.

Left photo: The sign outside the Rothman Center, Metropol-
itan Campus.

Right photo: Sporting their Fairleigh Dickinson colors are,
from left, students Anam Fatma, Lisa Warrilow and Pia
Shetty.

In an update to the community, Adams thanked all those who helped facilitate the event. “Those who represented the institution this week demonstrated the high level of dedication, commitment and excellence that distinguishes Fairleigh Dickinson. FDU always seems to rise to the moment, but this time we did so under the glare of a national spotlight and in the presence of the president of the United States. All those responsible deserve our applause.”

Lending technical support are, from left,
Danovan Golding, associate director,
University systems/security (Metro), and
Rafael Alix, network analyst, University
systems/security (Metro).

Bill Clinton was the first president who spoke at FDU, when he visited the Rothman Center in 1996. In addition, two future U.S. presidents also traveled to FDU. George H.W. Bush visited the Rothman Center on November 3, 1988; just days before his election win. And, during his campaign for vice president in 1960, U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson visited FDU’s campus in Teaneck.

For more information and to see photos, go to http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=7433 .