Caldwell, New Jersey: a perfect location for a university

The borough of Caldwell is an ideal location for a university. Within walking distance or a short drive from campus, there are many places to get a good cup of coffee, a great slice, or find a unique gift.

With tree-lined sidewalks, a Main-Street-USA feel, and Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association, Caldwell is a great place to take a bike ride, grab an ice cream cone, enjoy the great outdoors and visit boutiques and shops. Plus, there are a number of restaurants and eateries featuring various cuisines and atmospheres.

Throughout the year, students, faculty and staff enjoy frequenting the different venues for everything from grocery shopping to getting a haircut or a manicure. They use the service provider businesses for professional and personal needs.

Crystal Lopez, director of residence life at the university, says the students enjoy the warm community surrounding their educational atmosphere. “Many of them work in town and make Caldwell a home out of their college experience.”

During the academic year, Theology and Philosophy Department professors Kyle Bennett, Ph.D. and Christopher Cimorelli, Ph.D. host discussions with students at the coffee café, Rock ‘n’Joe, on Bloomfield Avenue. “We meet on different Fridays to talk about topics such as economics, politics, theology, and marriage,” says Dr. Bennett.

The Caldwell University Jazz Band, student ensemble and the faculty jazz quartet, led by Music faculty member Rob Middleton, play at Rock ‘n’ Joe once a semester.

During the spring semester each year, English Department Professor and Chair Mary Ann B. Miller, Ph.D. works with the Caldwell Public Library staff to host poetry readings for local, published poets. As part of her Introduction to Poetry course, students work with poets to plan their readings and gain experience in public relations, event planning and public speaking.

The university is a sponsor for the Rotary Kiwanis Caldwell Street Fair, which is held the first Sunday of every October. Nursing students enjoy providing free blood pressure screenings, music students perform, and staff and faculty provide free giveaways, photos with the mascot Cougar and information about the university. “It is always great fun and a terrific opportunity for the university students, staff and faculty to meet many people in the community,” says Tim Blattner, husband of Caldwell President Nancy Blattner. Tim, a member and past president of the Rotary, coordinates the university’s tent along with Linda Maher, the university’s marketing coordinator. This year’s street fair will be held Sunday October 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

Summertime!
In the summer, the West Caldwell free outdoor gazebo concert series feature a variety of music.

Art on the Avenue is held in Caldwell on a Saturday at the beginning of every June and features photography, fine art crafts, sculpture, and crafts.

On the Fourth of July, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace historic site hosts a free ice cream social. The site is the birthplace of the only U.S. President born in New Jersey, President Grover Cleveland.http://presidentcleveland.org/

Transportation to New York City and other locations
For those who want to visit New York City, the Decamp # 33 bus stops on Bloomfield Avenue right outside the entrance to the university. There are also local New Jersey Transit #29 buses to Montclair and Newark where students can enjoy activities including the Montclair Art Museum and the Newark Museum.

NJ Transit trains run to New York City, Newark and Hoboken from several stops in Montclair. Trains from Newark run to various points at the Jersey shore where one can enjoy the beach.

For bus and train schedules to go:
http://www.decamp.com/schedules_routes.asp
www.Njtransit.com

Useful community links
Caldwell Merchants Association – https://www.caldwellmerchants.com/
Caldwell Street Fair – https://www.caldwellmerchants.com/
Rotary Club of the Caldwells – http://www.caldwellrotary.org/