Howard Schwartz

Dr. Howard Schwartz, 76, of Pennington died June 28, 2014. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn. 

Dr. Schwartz, a professor emeritus at Rider University, served as debate coach and speech instructor at New York University from 1961 to 1962. He went on to teach for over 40 years, first at the University of Maryland, College Park, from 1965 to 1968 and then at Rider University, Lawrenceville, for 37 years, 1968-2005. He founded the department of communication at Rider and served as its chairman for the entire 37 years he taught there, retiring in 2005. While at Rider, he helped develop the Equal Opportunity Program in 1969. He and his wife, Harriett, mentored hundreds of students who were able to attend college as Equal Opportunity students. 

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in broadcasting and speech from Emerson College in Boston. He completed his doctoral studies at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. 

In 1972 he was elected president of Eastern Communication Association. He served as president of the Rider Faculty Senate in 1972 and received the Lindbach Distinguished Teaching Award in 1982. He was recognized as a campus leader for many years. After his retirement, he was honored by the New Jersey Assembly and Senate with a joint resolution praising him for his many accomplishments.

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In 2005 he was designated a New Jersey State EOP Champion and in 2009 he was honored by the New Jersey Equal Opportunity Board of Directors and also named “A Fortunate Find” by the EOP alumni chapter in 2009.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years; two daughters, Joanne Schwartz of Los Angeles and Susan (David) Kushner of Pennington; and two granddaughters.

Services were held July 1 with arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard Schwartz Scholarship Fund, c/o Rider University.