SPC Celebrates Historic Past with Book Launch and Signing

Jersey City, N.J. – Saint Peter’s College will launch the first book depicting its 137-year history titled, Saint Peter’s College, with a book signing and cocktail hour on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the O’Toole Library on the Jersey City campus. Written collaboratively by Saint Peter’s College faculty members Joseph McLaughlin, Ph.D., professor of sociology and urban studies and Thomas Matteo, Ph.D., associate professor of business administration, the book offers a photographic documentary of important moments in Saint Peter’s history.

Utilizing vintage photos, the authors trace the College’s historic timeline from 1872 to the present, detailing how Saint Peter’s transformed structurally and internally from a small, liberal arts college to a comprehensive institute of higher education. They also provide an understanding of the College’s successful evolution through multiple building and campus location transitions, as well as notable accomplishments of the College’s past 21 presidents.

Highlighted in the book are the many influential figures to visit Saint Peter’s throughout the years, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Richard Nixon, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Senator Ted Kennedy,Vince Lombardi and Frank Capra. The book also uncovers the foundation of trademark clubs, societies and symbols that reflect the mission and values of the College.

Saint Peter’s College was published as part of Arcadia Publishing’s Campus History Series. It joins 141 other college and university titles in this collection, and just one other Jesuit institute of higher education, Georgetown University.

Dr. McLaughlin is a 1977 graduate of Saint Peter’s College. Prior to serving as a professor of sociology and urban studies, he was the director of the graduate program in education and a member of the education department for 20 years. In addition to teaching at Saint Peter’s, Dr. Matteo is the public historian for the borough of Staten Island and has written several books about Staten Island History.

Admittance to the Saint Peter’s College book launch and cocktail hour is free, and open to the public. The book will be available for purchase at the event for $21.99 with all proceeds benefitting the Saint Peter’s College general scholarship fund; Dr. Matteo and Dr. McLaughlin will also offer a question and answer session during the event. For more information, please contact the Office of College Communications at (201) 761-7243 or cmernar@spc.edu.

The book is available for purchase on the Saint Peter’s College Alumni Web site.

A preview event will take place at the Jersey City Museum located at 350 Montgomery Street on Saturday, February 6, 2010, from noon to 1:00 p.m. The preview is being offered by the Museum in conjunction with the 29th Black Maria Film and Video Festival. Admittance is free and Saint Peter’s College will be available for a limited sale; Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Matteo will hold a question and answer session at this time.

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Saint Peter’s College, founded in 1872, is a Jesuit, Catholic college in the liberal arts tradition located in the heart of Jersey City, N.J., with a branch campus in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and course offerings on the Jersey City Waterfront and at various corporate sites throughout New Jersey. Educating over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 50 programs, Saint Peter’s College is committed to academic excellence and individual attention, preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service in a diverse and global society.

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