Alumna, Former NJ Assemblywoman is Speaker at Caldwell University Homecoming Kick-off

Caldwell, N.J. – September 26, 2016 – The kick-off event for the homecoming weekend celebration at Caldwell University featured The Honorable Arline Friscia, former New Jersey Assemblywoman and a Caldwell University alumna. Friscia was interviewed in a forum hosted by Professor Bob Mann, chair of the Communications and Media Studies Department, as part the university’s Veritas Lecture series. In 1996 Friscia received the university’s Veritas Award for Excellence in Politics. The awards recognizes alumni excellence in all professions.

Friscia, a member of the Class of 1956, at what was then Caldwell College for Women, graduated with a degree in music. “I owe a great deal to Caldwell, because it shaped my life,” she said.

Caldwell alumnae, students, faculty and staff enjoyed a discussion as Friscia commented on a variety of topics including her career path and how she made her way into a legislative position, the challenges for women who choose the field of politics as a career, and how people can become effective in working with their legislators.

As a legislator, Friscia represented the 19th Legislative District, which comprises the Middlesex County municipalities of Carteret Borough, Perth Amboy City, Sayreville Borough, South Amboy City, and Woodbridge Township. For more than 18 years, she served as UniServ Director for the New Jersey Education Association and negotiated on behalf of its membership. A former Councilwoman-at-Large in Woodbridge Township, she provided leadership on issues concerning recreation opportunities for socially deprived children and adolescents.