(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)September 17, 2010

(MAHWAH, NJ) – The American Democracy Project at Ramapo College of New Jersey hosted a naturalization ceremony on Wednesday, September 15.

Active at more than 200 college campuses across the United States, the American Democracy Project (ADP) is a national initiative whose goal “is to produce graduates who are committed to being active, involved citizens in their communities.”

The ADP seeks to increase the number of undergraduate students who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful civic actions by asking participating institutions to review and restructure academic programs and processes, extracurricular programs and activities, and the institutional culture.  It also helps focus the attention of policy makers and opinion leaders on the civic value of the college experience.

The ADP committee at Ramapo College of New Jersey has been creative in both program planning and delivery for the observation of Constitution Day. On September 15, the campus hosted a naturalization ceremony in Friends Hall.

Thirty-six applicants participated in the ceremony, taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America. The Oath was administered by Mr. John E. Thompson, district director of the Newark office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The hour long ceremony was followed by a reception. The applicants came from over 20 countries, including Albania, Israel, Bangladesh, Ghana, the Philippines, Brazil, South Korea, China, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, India, El Salvador, Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, Nicaragua, Tibet, Columbia, Pakistan, Ecuador, Syria and Peru.

The applicants themselves and members of their families were addressed by Dr. Peter Mercer, president of Ramapo College, and  Judith Jeney, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, the College’s ethics liaison officer and naturalized citizen. Lisa Lutter, professor of Vocal Music, conducted the Ramapo Chorale.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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