Voices from Castle Point

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Voices from Castle Point at the Samuel C. Williams Library was originally conceived to document the experiences of women at Stevens (first made coeducational in 1971) — a group underrepresented in the Archives and Special Collections.

In preparation for the 150th anniversary of Stevens in 2020, we have expanded the project to encompass all interested Stevens alumni. Each voice is important to the mission of providing a broader understanding of Stevens history with unique, individual perspectives for future generations.

Oral histories encompass the unique perspectives of individuals who might otherwise be absent from the historical record. Collecting and sharing these stories provides an invaluable glimpse into the past through the lens of human experience that serves to preserve the richness and diversity of our shared cultural heritage.

 

Malena Higuera,’75

Malena Higuera was Stevens first Latin American woman to graduate.

Martha Connolly,’75

Martha was amongst the first class of women admitted to Stevens in 1971.

Linda Vollkommer-Lynch

Linda Vollkommer-Lynch was the first tenured female faculty and first female athletics coach at Stevens.

John Dalton, ‘60

John Dalton talks about his first impression of Stevens, favorite classes and professors, and the climate on campus when the administration decided to tear down the historic building known as “Castle Stevens.”

Gerry Crispin and 
Edward Eichhorn, ‘69

Stevens alumni, Gerry Crispin (left) and Ed Eichhorn (right) met at Stevens and became lifelong friends (best men at each other's weddings!). 

Joelle Hinds, '93

Joelle Hinds was accepted into Stevens and went through the intense six-week STEP Bridge summer program before she could start as a young freshman (at age 16!) before graduating with a degree in Engineering Management. 

Vicente Citarella, ‘62

Vicente Citarella was the first President of the Latin American Club, graduated second in his class, and gave the salutatory address at his graduation. 

Enrique Blanco, ‘72

Enrique Blanco was born in Cuba but lived all over the world until his family settled in New York City.

Michael Danon, ‘60

Michael Danon talks about his family's courageous journey to the United States as Jewish refugees and having happily graduated from Stevens.

Bruce Blondina, ‘73

Bruce Blondina talks about what it was like to live on the SS Stevens, the floating dormitory that was used as lodging for students on the Hudson River from 1968-1975.

James Edward McClellan III, Professor Emeritus

Dr. James McClellan explains in detail the anxiety that surrounded young men with the climate of the Vietnam War era and the draft, the student uprisings at Columbia University in 1968, and his early trajectory and academic philosophy.  
 

Robert Frederic Wolf, ‘52

Robert Wolf has been connected to Stevens since he was a child. His father, George Wolf (Stevens class of 1925) would often take Bob to campus for alumni and sporting events.

Marty Valerio, ‘68

Marty Valerio talks about his experience getting initiated into the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, some favorite memories of Stevens, and brief reminiscences about local spots in Hoboken that are no longer there.

  

 Richard (Dick) Magee, ‘63

Son of Irish immigrants from Portadown, Northern Ireland, Richard (Dick) Magee was the first in his family to attend college, something that his mother always dreamed of.
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

To learn more about our oral history project, or to inquire about participating, please contact Leah Loscutoff, Head of Archives & Special Collections: [email protected] 

We want to hear your story!