Caldwell University Students Get Oriented With Local Restaurants

Written By Marina Maret ‘14

Incoming students had the chance to dine at restaurants along Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell as part of their summer orientation experience. Led by their orientation leaders, members of the Class of 2018 were introduced to five eateries throughout the borough.  Students chose to dine at Rockn’ Joe, Casa Filippo, Calandra’s Italian Village, Eurogrill or Hog Wild Barbecue. 

Caldwell University has included the restaurant portion in its orientation program for the past four years. Tim Kessler-Cleary, director of the office of student engagement, said that the dinners familiarize the students with the town. “The point it is to show students that we have a vibrant community around the university,” he said. “If they want to get off campus for a while, now they know where to go.”

“Hog Wild Barbeque owner Drew Daniolowicz, who opened up his restaurant’s patio for the Caldwell University students, said it is great when the students come down. He recognizes the importance of town-gown relations. “They get to intertwine with the business district and the community.”

The restaurant orientation experience not only helps to build relationships between the students and the borough, but it also helps the students get to know each another. Averi Zerbetski, an incoming freshman who chose to dine at Rockn’ Joe, said that spending time with her new classmates prepared her for the upcoming semester, “The dinner really helped us all bond as a class.” 

Caldwell University is a private, Catholic coed four-year university with a strong liberal arts core curriculum that enhances critical thinking and analytical reasoning. Caldwell offers 25 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs, including doctoral, master’s, certificate and certification programs, as well as online and distance learning options that prepare students for today's global marketplace. The university has 15 NCAA Division II athletic teams and numerous clubs, fraternities, sororities and activities on a beautiful 70-acre campus located in the suburbs of Caldwell, New Jersey. Caldwell was founded by the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell.  Its core values of respect, integrity, community and excellence influence academic and campus life. For more information about Caldwell University, visit caldwell.edu.