Meet the Drew Community

j goldenJonathan M. Golden

Class Year: 2010
Degree: Ph.D., Univ of Pennsylvania ('98)
Dept(s): Religion and Anthropology

What brought you to Drew and what were you doing prior to getting an opportunity to teach Drew?
I came to Drew in the Fall of 2000, just about one year after receiving my PhD. from Penn, as a one-year replacement for a faculty member in the Anthropology Dept. I had been teaching part-time at several universities (UC, San Diego, West Chester University) and doing business consulting and community organizing in Philadelphia. This was initially a one-year appointment, but the CLA, and then the Grad School kept me on as an adjunct; I guess they just couldn’t let me go ; ).

When you think about the word "diversity" how does this relate to the Drew community?
Diversity within the Drew community was limited when I first arrived here; but that has changed considerably.  I now think we have a much more balanced mix of students and that, ultimately, this benefits everyone.  As interaction increases, students from different backgrounds are able to learn from each other’s varied life experiences; in addtion, the overall quality of the student body has improved as many of our minority students are among the brightest and hardest working students at Drew.

What was your most memorable experience teaching or otherwise at Drew?  Top three:

  1. "The Arts of Respect Showcase" on March 30, 2009 was fantastic.  This was part of an arts competition where students submitted original works of art (visual, performing, literary) on the theme of hatred/bias and respect able to use this forum to express their feelings about a range of issues related to respect for diversity both on and off campus.
  2. "Witness to Segregation: Fireside Chat" in February 2009 was part of the Drew series commemorating the 45th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at Drew. In honor of this event, the Center on Religion, Culture & Conflict hosted a group discussion where faculty members spoke about their experiences with segregation prior to and during the Civil Rights Movement era.
  3. Kosher-Halal Cooking Workshop, Spring 2008.  This was a super-fun event where students from a variety of backgrounds came together to learn about dietary laws in the Jewish and Muslim traditions.

What would you want your legacy at Drew to be?
During my years here at Drew, I have made extensive efforts to bring people from varied backgrounds together, be it based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender/sexual orientation.  In my multiple roles here at Drew -as Asst. Prof. in the Departments on Religion and Anthropology, Advisor to Hillel, and as Assoc. Director of the Center on Religion, Culture & Conflict – I hope to continue and expand these efforts.  The legacy I dream of is this: to leave this campus as a warmer, friendlier place than it previously was, and as an environment where people from all backgrounds can not only co-exist in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, but also as a place where there is reciprocal and perpetual exchange and interaction.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
This term reflects the idea that we now have a very diverse community here at Drew.  There is always the possibility that diverse groups will be satisfied to co-exist as separate communities on campus; I hope that when we say we are "exploring" these communities that we are encouraging an atmosphere that is most conducive to creating opportunities not for mere co-existence, but for shared living and interaction.  In other words, it is not enough to have diverse communities that exist as equal, yet separate.  Our ultimate goal should be to have all members of our community truly explore the experience of "the Other", for this is the great benefit that comes with diversity: "Exploring Diverse Communities" means direct encounters and engagement with others, and at the end of the day, this is the only way to learn the type of respect, understanding and compassion that we all need..

Jazzmine Smith

Class Year: 2010
Major: Pan-African Studies
Minor: Arabic
Hometown: Newark, NJ

What was the deciding factor in you coming to Drew?
I was in love with the idea of a Liberal Arts education, because coming into college I had five different careers goals in mind. I also came from a very small private school and the idea of a large college was completely overwhelming. So Drew University was the ideal choice.

Speak about your experience(s) at Drew thus far. Include academic, community service and social events.
Drew is definitely the type of school where you only get out of it what you put into it. We have amazing opportunities to study abroad. I was a participant in the 2009 winter Drew University International Seminar, affectionately known as the D.I.S program, to Egypt. The program was life changing. The program was a service learning seminar teaching in a Sudanese pre-school in Cairo. It was the most rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life. That is what college is for; the experiences that change your life.

What clubs and organizations are you a member of?
I am on the University programming board, Co- Chair for Ariel and Kuumba, Chair of S.O.A.C. and a resident of the A.S.I.A Tree Theme House.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
Exploring Diverse Communities mean that you are open-minded enough to embrace difference and learn for one another. College is the best time in a person’s life to experience, express, and learn in an environment that is safe and conducive to horning great life skills.

What do you hope to gain academically and personally from your years here at Drew? And as a future alumnus of Drew what would you want future Drewids to know?
I have gained confidence that is beyond my years. Also critical thinking skills, thinking out of the box are the only way to think in today’s world. As far as advice for future Drewids I say never let a day pass you by. Seize every opportunity that Drew has for you.

Laquan Austion

Class Year: 2010
Major: Political Science and Philosophy
Hometown: Somerset, NJ

What was the deciding factor in you coming to Drew?
My deciding factors in coming to Drew were the small class sizes, the financial reward I was granted, great reviews of the teachers, and close proximity to NY.

Speak about your experience(s) at Drew thus far. Include academic, community service and social events.
My experiences at Drew have been great to say the least. I have traveled both abroad domestically, those alone have been to academic and life experiences that I will value to my grave. In addition, the social networking has been amazing. I have made friends that will last me a lifetime, and business contacts I will surely use after I graduate. At Drew, I have been exposed to information, insight, and experiences I know I would not been able to experience anywhere else on this planet.

What clubs and organizations are you a member of?
Student Government Association. Pool/Billiards Club. Student Conduct Board. Drew University Philosophical Society. Orientation Committee. University Center Desk-manager. Student Outreach Committee. Drew Student Ambassador. DASA. College Republicans. Political Science and Pre-Law Society.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
Exploring Diverse Communities is beyond the surface physical diversity. It extends to thoughts and insights that are vastly different than your own.

What do you hope to gain academically and personally from your years here at Drew? And as a future alumnus of Drew what would you want future Drewids to know?
I hope to fully take advantage of the liberal learning education which encompasses a wide array of understanding. This alone will help me grow more intellectually savvy, as well as understand the world around me and myself a bit better. For future Drewids, I would want them to know, "the sky is the limit."

Mei Zheng

Class Year: 2010
Major: Behavioral Science
Hometown: China, Chinatown-NYC, West Orange and Harrison, NJ

What was the deciding factor in you coming to Drew?
I decided to attend Drew because I heard how great Drew was from my friends and high school guidance counselor. Also Drew gave me the most financial aid out of all the colleges I applied too.

Speak about your experience(s) at Drew thus far. Include academic, community service and social events.
Since I have been at Drew I have changed a lot as a person. I used to be a very shy person throughout middle and high school. I was always social around friends but I never spoke up in class or took on any leadership roles. However, since coming to Drew I have become more open and gained a lot of confidence in myself. Also I found myself more active and engaged in all my clubs and classes.

What clubs and organizations are you a member of?
I am the president of Living Council for Wendell and Tipple, film chair of University Program Board, Co-treasurer of Psychology Club, active member of Volunteer Resource Center, and a member of Habitat for Humanity. I am also a tour guide and an ambassador in the Office of Admissions.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
It means helping Drew students explore all different cultures and people. It also means respecting the differences between people and finding out (through interaction) what is special within them.

What do you hope to gain academically and personally from your years here at Drew? And as a future alumnus of Drew what would you want future Drewids to know?
Academically, I hope I can learn everything I need for my future career(s). Personally, I hope to maintain long-lasting friendships with some of the greatest people I've met while at Drew. And as a future alumnus of Drew, I want future Drewids to know that in order to enjoy your life at Drew, you must be open to new ideas, people, and lifestyles. You must understand other people and be accepting of them. Finally, get out of your shell and join anything on campus that is interesting to you, from student life groups to sports, because that is a great way to enjoy your years at Drew.

Catherine Jordan

Class Year: 2011
Major: Pan African Studies
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

What was the deciding factor in you coming to Drew?
Drew offered an extensive choice of courses and majors in a small setting, I had no idea what my major would be when entering. Over the first semester I was able to become involved with a number of activities. I joined two clubs, Kuumba and IVCF (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship), as well as Ubuntu- the Pan African choir and WHOs- the student run Christian a cappella. I work in the Pan African Studies Department and carry an 18 credit course load. These activities helped me to create new friendships with people I may not have met otherwise.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
The number of minority students at Drew has been increasing over the last couple of years. Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew means to me that Drew is strengthening their methods to increase these numbers and also educating everyone about the various communities that have affected the students attending Drew. Having the knowledge about other communities and trying to incorporate this knowledge in the Drew community seems to be the goal.

In my four years at Drew I hope to learn so much. If I can walk away from this university with 5 good and close friends I will be thankful. Yes there is a social side but over all I am here to further my education. I hope to graduate as a double minor and with honors in my field of study. I also hope to have a solid network of alumni/ae and professors that I can turn to once I join the "working world". I would like to acquire a vast amount of knowledge by dabbling in a little of everything. I would want future Drewids to realize the vast opportunities available at Drew and to fully take advantage of all of them. I am definitely trying to!

Lillie Johnson Edwards

Degree: Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1981
African history, U.S. Southern History, African literature
Department: History and Pan-African Studies
Tenure: 1994

What brought you to Drew and what were you doing prior to getting an opportunity to teach Drew?
I came to the New York metropolitan area when my husband had to relocate here for a new job. At the time, 1992, I was a tenured member of the history department and the founding chair of American Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. An administrator who knew we planned to live in New Jersey, informed me that I should look at the job description for a new position at Drew. "It sounds just like you," he said. He was right.

When you think about the word "diversity" how does that relate to the Drew community?
Diversity at Drew refers to the variety of ways we contribute to the personal and intellectual growth of every member of Drew’s community. We share with each other distinctly individual and collective experiences and perspectives, not only through the curriculum and in the classroom, but also as we interact in formal and informal settings outside of the classroom. In doing so, we continually discover and embrace the complex ways in which we are alike and different. These discoveries enlarge our understanding of humanity and enhance our appreciation for the essential role each of us should play in shaping Drew’s community and the world.

What was your most memorable experience teaching or otherwise at Drew?
My most memorable experience at Drew occurred in a fall history class, History 15: African-American History from African Origins to 1877. Students usually walked into class saying, "We stayed up all night arguing about . . . " The following semester these same students commented that they actually missed the class, their classmates, and the lively discussions. I realized that the class had made a difference in their lives and in mine.

What would you want your legacy at Drew to be?
I would like alumni/ae and Drew to affirm that I had helped to create an environment that nurtured and mentored students so that they could make a difference in the lives of others. My legacy would be that I had taught students how to use their intellect and scholarship as a transformative tool that can change people, institutions, and even nations.

When we say Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew, what does that mean to you?
Exploring Diverse Communities at Drew refers to our desire and practice of going beyond mere tolerance of difference. Rather, we seek to embrace a level of assertive engagement with people and environments that differ from our own. The notion of exploration assumes that there are risks involved in stepping outside of our comfort zones, but this idea also includes the notion of discovery as an exciting, exhilarating, fulfilling and empowering consciousness about oneself and the world. What is most wonderful about Drew is that there are so many different ways to explore and discover diversity in the classroom, throughout the campus, in our local New Jersey and New York communities, and in other countries.