May 11, 1999

College Holds A Convocation In The Ramapo River:
A Unique Approach In Education From A Unique Program At Ramapo

(Mahwah) – The RST2 program at Ramapo College of New Jersey that offers new pathways of teaching and learning, will have a most unique formal convocation on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. It takes place on the banks of the Ramapo River and on occasion, in the river itself. The concept of merging an academic tradition with a rather elaborate environmental project is, at best, unusual. The event is open to the general public and everyone’s urged to pack a lunch.

"It’s going to be a cleanup, bank stabilization and trout stocking in the Ramapo River across the street from the college on the Ramapough Mountain Indian land," says Dr. Angela Cristini, director of the RST2 program and a professor of Biology at Ramapo College.

Cristini says all work will not be dull as some around 70 to 100 students from Paterson as well as schools from Bergen County will attend and participate in a series of meaningful environmental activities. Students are going to be planting willow and dogwood trees, collecting water samples for chemical analysis, and collecting and identifying organisms. And there’s more.

"Ramapough Mountain Indian Chief Silent Wolf has been invited to come and talk with students and other volunteers. Trout Unlimited is going to join us with an engaging list of activities including demonstrations of fly-tying, how to master the art of fly fishing and some stories about trout and streams, naturally," Cristini explains. "They also will be supplying the trout in an effort to re-seed the river as well."

Cristini, who wears dual hats as director of RST2 and Ramapo’s new Master’s of Science in Educational Technology program, noted that "two students from that program have organized a whole web site around how to do a stream clean up. Diana Lockner and Marguarite Andre’s site at http://207.198.146.139:8080/index.htm."

With what is planned for May 22, there’s no doubt that this convocation will be one to remember. "Did I mention that Trout Unlimited will also help us identify critters, too," Cristini remarked after checking off the schedule of activities.