Dr. Howard Schwartz, 76, professor emeritus who founded the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Media at Rider University, passed away on Saturday, June 28, after a long and brave battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Rider University President Mordechai Rozanski said, “I was greatly saddened by Howard’s passing. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, beloved by the many generations of students he taught, advised and mentored.”
Dr. Schwartz began teaching at the University of Maryland in the mid-1960s. In 1968, he joined Rider, where he taught for the next 37 years. During his tenure, Dr. Schwartz established the Department of Communication and Journalism and served as its chairman until his retirement in 2005. He also served as president of the Rider Faculty Senate and received the Lindbach Distinguished Teaching Award in 1982. Upon Dr. Schwartz’s retirement, the New Jersey Assembly and Senate honored him with a joint resolution praising him for his many accomplishments.
Dr. Schwartz had a deep and personal love for Rider’s Equal Opportunity Program, which he helped develop in 1969. Along with his wife, Harriett, also a Rider professor, he mentored innumerable students who were able to attend college through the EOP. In 2005, he was designated a New Jersey State EOP Champion and in 2009 was honored by the New Jersey Equal Opportunity board of directors as “A Fortunate Find.”
Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard Schwartz Scholarship Fund, c/o Rider University, Office of University Advancement.