In closing ceremonies in the Edward Williams Auditorium on February 24, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey officially closed its Police Training Academy facility on the Metropolitan Campus and thanked the University for the support and cooperation given to them over the past two years.

The day after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, said Superintendent of Police Charles DeRienzo, “…the agency was forced to relocate, and it was an awesome task. How lucky we were that FDU opened their hearts and their home to us.”

After rebuilding the force and training 548 recruits on the Metropolitan Campus, the department is now able to move back into its own facilities in Jersey City, N.J.

Left photo: An honor guard lowers the American flag that has flown at Edward Williams Building during recruit training at the Metropolitan Campus. Right photo: Superintendent of Police Charles DeRienzo, left, and Chief Christopher Trucillo, right, Port Authority Police, presented President J. Michael Adams, with a plaque of appreciation.

An honor guard lowered the American flag that has flown at the Edward Williams Building during recruit training, the Port Authority Police Pipes and Drums offered a moment of remembrance with “Amazing Grace,” and the flag and a plaque of appreciation were presented to President J. Michael Adams.

The Port Authority Superintendent said he hoped the plaque would be hung where students and members of the University community would see it and it would be “…part of your culture because you will always be part of our culture.” The plaque is dedicated to the officers who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 and will be placed in the lobby of Dickinson Hall.

President Adams said, “When this opportunity arose, to house the authority’s training facilities, we were honored and humbled to be able to contribute to the healing and rebuilding process.”

Adams noted that, while this particular stage in the relationship is over, the University remains partners with the Port Authority in other projects. “For instance,” he said, “we continue to offer on-site programs for personnel, and we continue to be fortunate enough to tap the expertise of leading personnel who teach in our MAS program.”

Adams concluded his remarks by thanking the Port Authority for “allowing the University to play a small role in your remarkable record of public service. We salute you and look forward to other partnerships and collaborative educational programs that can serve you.”

March 2004

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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