In his 2022 Fall Address, Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis highlighted recent accomplishments and upcoming initiatives that have given the university plenty of cause for celebration. About 350 faculty, staff, students, and Rutgers–Camden community members gathered in the Campus Center Wednesday morning to hear Chancellor Tillis’s update on research activity, faculty achievements, civic engagement, and much more.

Chancellor Tillis, a scholar of Spanish and Latin American literature, opened with a bilingual welcome in English and Spanish as a nod to Rutgers–Camden’s ongoing observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15. 

“It is truly inspiring to see how the members of this Rutgers–Camden community extend each other the grace and the support needed to help each other rise up and succeed,” Chancellor Tillis said. He welcomed new and returning students and recognized new colleagues, including John Griffin, who was named dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences prior to the 2022-23 academic year.

“He’s a strategic thinker and has proven so far to be just a great, great colleague,” Chancellor Tillis said of Griffin. “I’m excited about his leadership for our largest academic unit.”

Rutgers–Camden Chief of Police Kevin Lutz, sworn into his role last month, was asked by Chancellor Tillis to stand for special recognition.

“I knew from the moment [Lutz] walked into my office and shared in our conversation that he was who the campus needed as it relates to community policing and understanding the value of a joint partnership with the men and women keeping us safe,” Chancellor Tillis said. 

Chancellor Tillis marked the successful introduction of several new campus traditions, most notably the inaugural celebration of Convocation, which welcomed the Rutgers–Camden community back for a new academic year on September 8. 

“Convocation was simply amazing, with inspiring students who raised the roof with their performances and energy,” Chancellor Tillis said. “I want to thank everyone involved with putting this amazing event together.”

Chancellor Tillis then turned his focus to the recently released U.S. News & World Report college rankings, where Rutgers–Camden made several significant jumps from the previous year.

“U.S. News & World Report ranked us at 127 among national research universities—a good jump from 148 last year and proof of our consistent upward trajectory since we entered that category in 2020. From 2020 to 2022, to go from 168 to 127 is absolutely fantastic,” Chancellor Tillis said. “Among top public universities, our standing increased to 61, up from 67 last year and 71 the previous year.”

Chancellor Tillis lauded the many successes of Rutgers–Camden faculty, citing them as key contributors to the university’s rankings.

“The excellence of our faculty propels Rutgers–Camden’s forward momentum,” Chancellor Tillis said. “If I were to give you a full listing of our faculty’s accomplishments, we would be here for a very long time.”

Highlighting just a few of the Rutgers–Camden faculty’s most significant accomplishments from the past year, Chancellor Tillis noted that the university received 16% more grants in 2022 compared to 2021. He mentioned a $2 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to Grace Brannigan, director of the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Also recognized were Professor Robin Cogan, School of Nursing–Camden, who was inducted as a fellow into the National Association of School Nurses; Clinical Associate Professor Richard Michelfelder, School of Business–Camden, who was elected to the board of the Society of Utility and Regulatory Financial Analysts; and Vice Dean Stacy Hawkins, Rutgers Law, who has provided expert legal analysis for media outlets such as CNN and USA Today.

On civic engagement, Chancellor Tillis hailed a $2.5 million grant to sustain Rutgers–Camden’s Ignite afterschool programs for children throughout Camden. He also noted that his “15 in 5” slate of Chancellor-led initiatives has already supported crucial staff development programs and will provide more funding for researchers, students, and administrators as its rollout continues. 

Rutgers–Camden’s Division III athletic programs received a commendation from Chancellor Tillis for their strong performance and contributions to school spirit.

“Athletics adds that little je ne sais quoi when it comes to having a sense of pride [in Rutgers–Camden],” Chancellor Tillis said. “I challenge you to join me at some of these games.” 

Chancellor Tillis concluded the address with a call for his audience to experience the full scope of what the campus has to offer. 

“It’s a new academic year. Check the calendar for activities; get involved in all the extracurricular and social opportunities available to you… We’ve done a lot, and we’re going to achieve even more.”

_{Creative Design: Karaamat Abdullah
Photographer: Ron Downes, Jr.}