Volume LXXIX, Number 34
Spotlight on
Hopewell Valley Pages 12-13 “Real Men Sing A Cappella” Program Geared to Men Who Like to Sing. . . . . . . . . 5 Oswald Veblen is Focus of Talk at Princeton Public Library . . . . . . . 7 Innovation, Collaboration Are Top Priorities In Development of AI Hub. . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Out of the Lawrentian Woods — Recalling the Week of the Fox. . . . . 15 Despite Losing Stars from Ivy Champion Squad, Tiger Women’s Soccer Still Looking Formidable. . . 23 After Helping PHS Swimming Maintain its Winning Ways, Fackler Joining Coaching Staff of TCNJ Women’s Team. . 26
Salina Min Enjoyed Helping the CP Bluefish Swim Team Win Another PASDA Crown . . . . . 25 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 29 Mercer County Top Producers . . . . 16, 17 New To Us . . . . . . . . . . 22 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . 28 Performing Arts . . . . . . 18 Police Blotter. . . . . . . . . 8 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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MCCC Wins $1M Grant; New Program to Bridge Digital Tech Divide Seeking to close the digital literacy gap among participants from Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has secured a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and launched a program that will include as many as 125 students in its first year. Program participants, recruited from Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) recipients, will be provided with access to training, workplace readiness, industry-recognized certifications, and employment opportunities. During their 12 weeks of self-paced classes, beginning this week for three initial students and expanding in numbers through the coming weeks and months, the participants will receive a laptop with onsite internet access, an individualized digital literacy plan, and other support services. “Digital literacy is the ability to navigate, understand, and effectively utilize digital technologies in everyday life,” the NJDOL website states. “It has become increasingly important in today’s world, where digital tools are pervasive and shape core aspects of our lives — communication, education, employment, access to resources, socialization, and more.” Jill Marcus, MCCC director of community education and training, workforce education, and innovation, led the grant application process and has been managing the creation of the program since the grant was awarded in June. “We are very excited to be the recipient of this grant, which will help bridge the digital divide in the central region of New Jersey,” she said. “We are happy to partner with Ocean County College to provide access to opportunities that strengthen our communities.” Marcus went on to explain that MCCC is expecting to host about 75 area students at their James Kerney Campus in Trenton, and about 50 participants from eastern New Jersey counties will attend a similar program at Ocean Count y Communit y College. Continued on Page 10
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Princeton University Expands Financial Aid Despite research funding cuts, budget cuts, and the threat of a federal tax on its endowment, Princeton University has announced an increase in financial aid for eligible students in its ongoing efforts to increase access to the University and the economic diversity of its student body. The Class of 2029 first-year students, arriving later this week for orientation and preparing to start classes on September 3, includes approximately 25 percent lower-income students eligible for federal Pell Grants. That’s the largest contingent of Pell-eligible students in Princeton’s history, an increase from 21.7 percent last year. “Through our increased investment in financial aid, we are making the transformative experience of a Princeton education more affordable for more students than ever, “ said Princeton University Provost Jennifer Rexford, as quoted in a Princeton University press release. The increases in financial aid will ensure that most families with incomes of up to $150,000 per year will receive aid to cover the total cost of tuition plus housing, food, books, and personal expenses. Most families with incomes of up to $250,000 will pay no tuition. Even families
with incomes up to and beyond $350,000, including those at higher income levels with more than one child in college, will receive some grant aid. Sixty-nine percent of this year’s 1,409 first-year students qualify for financial aid, with the average aid package estimated at more than $80,000 and payouts from the endowment covering almost 70 percent of the undergraduate financial aid budget. The impact of proposed federal taxes on the University’s approximately
$34 billion endowment is not known. University Media Relations declined to comment on budget cuts and the possibility of a significant endowment tax. The press release notes, “In 2001, Princeton was the first university in the country to eliminate loans from its financial aid packages. The University meets students’ full financial need with grants that do not need to be repaid, making it possible for students to graduate without debt.” It goes on to state that recent Continued on Page 11
“No Turn on Red” Among Ordinances Approved at Recent Council Meeting
While much of Princeton Council’s meeting on August 11 was devoted to passage of a resolution in support of the Immigrant Trust Act, the governing body also took action on additional issues and initiatives. Council passed an ordinance designating additional intersections in town as “no turn on red,” prompted by the Vision Zero Policy that seeks to eliminate traffic injuries and fatalities. The prohibition of right turns on red signals “will remove the conflict between bicyclists in the bike lanes and motorists attempting to cross
over the bike lanes at the Valley Road, Princeton Shopping Center, and Terhune Road intersections with North Harrison Street,” the ordinance reads. It will also help school children safely navigate the North Harrison Street intersections with Hamilton Avenue and Franklin Avenue. Councilman Leighton Newlin called the ordinance a “game-changer,” adding that recent police reports have noted numerous mishaps. “We have got to slow it down all around town here in Princeton,” he said. “The message is that stopping at Continued on Page 8
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY: Terhune Orchards co-owner Tannwen Mount, left, cuts a cake at the farm’s 50th Anniversary Community Celebration on Saturday. The event featured wagon rides, live music, children’s games, face painting, wine tasting, a photo exhibit, and more. Attendees share what they like best about Terhune in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)