In the shadow of Princeton, Rider shines in research, too

Mercer Business, Feb 1994 by Delany, Don

Dr. Mary Jo Hall, associate professor of geological and marine science at the college, has done studies on beach erosion along the entire New Jersey coastline. She is regarded as an expert on the effects of storms on the shore. Hall's research indicates, Dr. Luedeke said, that at some point in the future the barrier islands will be gone no matter what measures are taken. But in the meantime the studies are focusing on ways to slow the erosion.

Other studies by marine chemists have involved the curtailment of ocean pollution and efforts to identify methods of disposal other than those that have been used in the past.

Dr. Luedeke also pointed to research at Rider that closely involves Mercer County. "We have people doing all kinds of scholarly work related to accounting, law, federal tax code changes, designed to help corporations and individuals to take legal advantage of the tax regulations," he said.

Members of the college's marketing department are presently working with the Mercer County Economic Development Council to promote the county airport, he revealed.

As a member of the council, Dr. Luedeke said he talked with County Executive Robert Prunetti and Economic Development Director William Mate several months ago about how Rider's resources might be used to promote the county economic welfare.

"One of the things Mate initially was interested in was to promote the airport restaurant," he continued. "That idea blossomed into an agreement that maybe what we really needed was a market study of the whole airport issue, how the public perceives it, what are the advantages and disadvantages of flying into and out of the airport, the free trade zone concept, the whole works."