Commerce Bank announced that it recently partnered with The Center for Holocaust Studies at Brookdale Com-munity College, Lincroft, to bring Holo-caust education to more than 500 area students.
Commerce Bank donated $2,000 to The Center for Holocaust Studies to help fund the production of “Dear Esther,” a play that tells the story of Esther Terner Raab, now a resident of Vineland, who survived the Sobibor death camp as a child during the Holocaust. The play was recently performed at Lakewood High School.
According to the press release, Com-merce Bank’s Giving Program has contributed more than $30 million to help improve the quality of life of the people living in the communities served by the bank. Commerce Bank, based in Cherry Hill, has more than 320 branches in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2005, the bank plans to open 55 new locations.
Fran Kirschner, owner of Frantasy Enterprises, a public relations firm in Lakewood, will give the seminar, “Public Relations 101” at Basil T’s restaurant, 1171 Hooper Ave., Toms River, at a New Plus luncheon July 7 at noon. The public is welcome. Registration is $5 and lunch is $12. Details: (732) 269-7809.
Georgian Court University, Lake-wood, has announced Robert Louden, Ph.D., as the university’s new director for the bachelor of arts in the criminal justice program. Louden, an internationally recognized crime expert, will assume his post full-time in the fall 2005 semester.
Louden came to Georgian Court from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, where he was a professor. He spent 21 years in the New York City Police Department and retired as commander of the Hostage Negotiation Team. He holds a Ph.D. in criminal justice from City University of New York and a master’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay. Louden intends to bring his real-world perspective to bear on the development of the program. The new program is designed to attract students from local law enforcement agencies and community colleges, as well as to work with representatives of state and federal criminal justice systems.
Students interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree should contact Georgian Court University’s Office of Admissions at 732.987.2760 or visit the Internet Web site www.georgian.edu.
Professional and Business Singles Network will host a seminar and dance social July 8 at a restaurant in Mercer County. The topic of the seminar is “Succeed with Online Dating” with Gayle Crist, life coach. The fee is $25 to attend the seminar and dance, or $15 to attend just the dance. Membership is not required; walk-ins will be welcome. For more information, call (888) 438-5544 or e-mail PBSN@aol.com.