A LETTER FROM THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Through the Caldwell 2010 strategic planning process, the need for a capital campaign emerged. Due to the generous support of our donors, Dominican Hall, the cornerstone of this campaign, opened its doors in the fall of 2007. A suite-style residence facility, Dominican Hall showcases state-of-the-art technology, comfortable lounges for students to study or to meet up with their friends, and even a full-service café offering hot beverages and snacks.

Wireless technology continues to be rolled-out across campus, affording students the opportunity to access the Blackboard academic content management system in the classrooms, or surf the Internet in their dorm rooms.

As we carefully planned for the future through the 2010 process, we approached Caldwell 2012 with the same diligence. While the need to keep our facilities current still exists to help us remain competitive, we have determined two greater needs that will help us close out this Capital Campaign.

PH.D. IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS PROGRAM
Due to the overwhelming response to our outstanding Masters program, Caldwell was encouraged to offer their first Doctorate program in this field. I am pleased to report we have completed the first stages of our application, and are moving toward accreditation. Caldwell College was the first college in New Jersey to offer a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) due to the fact that New Jersey has the highest incidence rate of autism in the country, with about one of every 94 children being diagnosed. Based heavily on principles of learning uncovered in scientific research studies, ABA dramatically increases the amount of skills that children with autism can learn by breaking tasks down into more easily learned components. A number of research studies have repeatedly shown that as much as 50% of children enrolled in an intensive ABA program may "recover" to such an extent that they no longer meet the diagnosis of autism. In essence, our ABA program instructs educators how to teach students affected by autism. One of the major hurdles in being approved for this degree is the amount of funding we have secured prior to offering the degree. We have seen first hand through the educators and parents trained by our program that the results are real, now we need your help to expand the impact we can have.

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
It is no secret that the economy is affecting each and every one of us. However, Caldwell students are feeling the devastating effects even more as loan opportunities are decreasing as interest rates rise. Approximately 29% of Caldwell College students are first-generation college attendees. This greatly affects their ability to pursue private education during such hard times. Families are being forced to choose whether or not they can afford to keep their children in school. Caldwell recognizes this problem, and through stringent fiscal responsibility, puts almost $10.5 million, one-third of our operating budget, into student aid annually. Caldwell students have the aspirations for educational excellence, but often lack the financial means.In order to keep these students enrolled and on the path to graduation, we need your help at this time.

We are currently about $2 million away from making these dreams a reality. Gifts can be made in any denomination, and multi-year pledges are possible. For more information, or to make a gift or a pledge, please contact me at the address below, by phone 973-618-3547, or via e-mail at sfreeman@caldwell.edu. Thank you for your support of Caldwell College.

Steven M. Freeman
Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement