Chemistry Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Grant

Dr. Karin Akerfeldt (assistant professor, CCAS-chemistry) has received a $325,000 National Science Foundation Career Grant for Research. This four-year grant will support her research into bio-organic synthesis, particularly the creation of ion channels in membranes. This is the third time that a Camden chemistry faculty member has received this award, which is the most prestigious presented by the NSF to America's promising researchers. Even more impressive is that fact that all three Rutgers-Camden recipients are women: Dr. Georgia Arbuckle earned the grant in 1993, while Dr. Jing Li was honored in 1995.

Moot Court Team to Compete in National Finals

The School of Law's National Moot Court Team has advanced to the national finals, which will be held in New York City later this month. Third-year students Daniel McGravey and Richard Hoff finished second during the Region III finals, besting such schools as Georgetown, Maryland, Penn, American and GWU; only Villanova placed higher. In addition, Mr. Hoff won the American College of Trial Lawyers Award for best oral argument; the Rutgers-Camden team's brief was ranked fourth of the 15 participating schools. Prof. Jack Sabatino (visiting professor, CLaw) serves as faculty advisor.

Law Students Rock the Bar

Camden law students continue to excel on state bar examinations. In New York, fifty of 59 students passed the bar examination, an 84.9 percent pass rate compared to the overall pass rate of 70.8 percent. In Pennsylvania, Rutgers-Camden students achieved an 80 percent pass rate, compared to an overall pass rate of 75.9 percent. Camden law students also out-performed other test-takers on the New Jersey bar examination, earning a 78.4 percent pass rate compared to an overall 74.2 percent.

Rutgers and Lucent Technologies Team up on South African Venture

The Council for Southern Africa has signed a letter of intent with Lucent Technologies to provide the global industry leader with business and education training for their South African operations. This activity, which has the potential to earn $1.5 million for the University, is a direct outcome of this summer's trip to South Africa by President Lawrence and a delegation of Rutgers and New Jersey officials. Training will be provided by units from Camden and across the University.

Ryan Honored by Modern Language Association

Dr. Robert Ryan (professor, CCAS-English) has earned national kudos for his most recent book, The Romantic Reformation: Religious Politics in English Literature, 1789-1824 (Cambridge University Press, 1997). His work has received the 1997 Conference on Christianity and Literature Book Award, which is presented annually to "the book that has made the most distinguished contribution to the dialogue between literature and the Christian faith."