Community Outreach

Fairleigh Dickinson University is eager to interact with the larger community and to share resources and expertise. Here are a variety of initiatives that have proven to be valuable to the community.

Lifelong Learning

  • From high-school students through adult learners of any age, and from career-enhancing professional studies to avocational learning, Lifelong Learning at FDU offers programs on campus and online.
  • The Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning (FILL) provides opportunities for senior citizens to enjoy cultural, educational, and social activities. For a small fee, members may enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses on a space-available basis, either for credit or noncredit.
  • Our United Nations Pathways Forum features dialogues with U.N. ambassadors from around the world.
  • Every fall, Public Affairs Lecture Series (PALS) offers a dozen lectures on major issues in domestic and international affairs to a group of more than 300 lifelong learners. Our lectures take place in the Bickford Theater at the Morris Museum and feature nationally and internationally renowned speakers.
  • FDU Poll conducts survey research on issues of national and New Jersey public importance.

The Arts

Fine art galleries

All University galleries are free and open to the public.

  • The Library Gallery, Florham Campus, 285 Madison Ave, Madison, 973-443-8532
  • Edward Williams Hall Gallery, Metropolitan Campus, 150 Kotte Pl, Hackensack, 201-692-2449
  • University College Gallery, Metropolitan Campus, Becton Hall, River Rd, Teaneck, 201-692-2801

Theater

  • The main stage, Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus: Students perform in drama and musicals.
  • The black box theater, the Barn Theater, Florham Campus: Students perform in plays and comedies.
  • The University Players, the student theater group on Metro Campus, performs at the Russell H. Ratsch Experimental Theatre, Lower Level, University Hall.

Music

  • The WFDU-FM 89.1 studio is on the Metropolitan Campus; air staff is comprised of FDU students and veteran volunteers.
  • Opera at Florham: The professional opera company performs in Hennessey Hall (Mansion), Florham Campus.

Literature

  • Gene Barnett Literary Society sponsors world-famous writers in a Lecture Series, publishes “Knightscapes,” a literary magazine, and hosts poetry readings on the Metro Campus.
  • Friends of the Library, Metro Campus. For information, call 201-692-2278.

WAMFest: Words, Art, and Music Festival

WAMFest is an annual series in the fall of readings, interviews, talks, installations, and performances hosted by FDU. It brings successful professional and celebrity artists of various art genres to the Florham Campus to inspire and inform students and the community. All the events are free and open to the public.

Community mental health

Volunteerism

FDU is firmly committed to encouraging community service and volunteerism on the part of its faculty, staff, and students. This includes volunteer referrals and activities, the development of service components for courses, and federal community work-study. Another initiative introduces volunteerism into FDU’s Freshman Seminar curriculum. Efforts also are made to match faculty, staff, and students interested in becoming involved on an individual basis to organizations that rely on volunteers.