We understood what we were about at our college in NJ. Paul Goldfinger photo. Alpha Pi Omega. FDU: Teaneck, Rutherford, and Florham Park
I attended undergraduate school at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey—first at the Rutherford campus and then at Teaneck.
It was largely a commuter school. I was in the jazz band and I had a combo which played at parties. My family couldn’t afford to send me where I wanted, but they were happy with my full scholarship. (FDU and NJ). And going locally had some real advantages which I soon discovered.
A group of men on both campuses decided to form a secret fraternity. It was a small group and they had some good times under the radar.
As you can see from our beer mugs, we had a strong belief in sharing religious values.
But this was so different than what we see today. (2025) on campuses with the anti-semitism that has become unearthed by unprincipled forces at schools all over the US.
Today it has been announced that quite a few Jewish students are transferring to safer schools. This seems so shocking and unbelievable, but it is true.
FDU was a commuter school, but living at home for college did have some virtues that seem perhaps more desirable now than going away to schools to learn radicalism and intolerance. And it is a lot cheaper to do.
There is something settling, maturing, and happy about staying home to go to school, including colleges with religious foundations such as Fordham, St. Peters, Seton Hall, Yeshiva, or Drew. And further away consider Brandeis , Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston College, Villanova, or Brigham Young.
In our society today parents might want to take a look at such options.
A bonus came true as my Dad used those 3 years* to save funds for me to attend medical school. He had two jobs, but my brother and I came away with advanced degrees and no student loans. Thanks Mom and Dad.
*FDU had a special program where a student could go to dental or medical school after 3 years and then obtain a bachelor’s degree (as I did) after competing the first year of professional school. That saved money and gave made the opportunity to attend medical school one year earlier. When I was looking at medical schools, there were a few that would accept 3 year undergrads.
Paul Goldfinger, MD
Editor. Blogfinger.net
PAUL SIMON. “QUALITY” —-SONGS FROM THE CAPEMAN.