Rider honored for helping residents weather storm

By Rachel Stengel

Rider’s version of Noah’s Ark during Hurricane Irene  in August was honored on Wednesday at the New Jersey State Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.
Rider was nominated by the Lawrence Town Council to be recognized. In conjunction with Lawrence Township and Mercer County Emergency Management, Rider used the Student Recreation Center as a transitional shelter for 364 Mercer County residents and 26 of their pets during Hurricane Irene.
President Mordechai Rozanski and Dean of Students Anthony Campbell represented Rider at the ceremony.
“We appreciate the nomination very much,” Campbell said. “Lawrence Township and Rider University have been good partners on many things in the past. As a member of the Lawrence community, we’re all pleased to have been able to assist the township during the emergency situation caused by Hurricane Irene.”
The event, sponsored by the Office of the Governor, drew more than 1,000 people, who gathered at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial  in Trenton to honor New Jersey firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, National Guard members and community members who assisted during Hurricane Irene.
Lt. Gov. and New Jersey Secretary of State Kim Guadagno welcomed the volunteers and thanked them for their service to the state.
“We’re gathered here today to recognize the unselfish acts of courage and fellowship by other New Jerseyans for other New Jerseyans both before, during and after Hurricane Irene and to express out loud our deep gratitude to each and every one of you,” Guadagno said.
Campbell said that Rider has a commitment to the community.
“We have always been committed to being good neighbors and good citizens in the community,” he said.