October 19 - Linda Luedeke Lobby “A Welcoming Portal”

Rider University President Mordechai Rozanski called the newly renovated Linda Luedeke Lobby a welcoming portal for our students, community members and visitors during the dedication of the lobby in the Bart Luedeke Center last Tuesday.

Mrs. Luedeke is the wife of Bart Luedeke, Rider’s fifth president.  In June 2003, upon President Luedeke’s retirement, the Board of Trustees named the student center lobby in her honor in recognition of her many years of outstanding service to the University and her enduring commitment to Rider students and active community involvement.

“In the brief time I have known her, it has become clear to me that the core value that Linda embodies and that she has championed throughout her service at Rider is that of caring for the welfare of others and of being welcoming to all,” said President Rozanski.  Therefore, how appropriate that Linda’s space is the welcoming portal for our students, community members and visitors.

“In the case of our students, it welcomes them to the Bart Luedeke Center, the center of the University’s many key services and staff members who will guide students through their years at Rider and their lives after Rider,” he added.

President Rozanski noted that a prominent feature of the lobby was the wall celebrating the excellence of Rider students, faculty and staff. The wall is filled with photo plaques recognizing the most recent recipients of the Frank N. Elliott Award, the President's Award, the Dominick A. Iorio Research Prize, and the Distinguished Teaching Award, as well as a plaque listing all recipients of these awards.

“I am pleased that through the generosity of our trustees past and present the Linda Luedeke Lobby has been completely renovated,” said Paul Lang, chairman of the Board of Trustees.  “The new lighting, carpeting, furniture and ceiling provide a beautiful entranceway to the building named in Bart’s honor.

“In all the years I have known Linda, her charm, warmth and grace have always made me feel welcome in her home,” Lang continued. “What better way to recognize Linda’s contribution to Rider than to name this space in her honor.  Speaking on behalf of the trustees, this lobby demonstrates this University’s deep respect and appreciation of the invaluable contributions Linda has made through her 32 years as a valued member of the Rider family.”

Gracious in accepting the recognition following the unveiling of a bronze plaque and formal photograph of Linda and Bart at the front of the lobby, Mrs. Luedeke said, “The renovation is beautiful. I had no idea it was going to look like this. Special thanks goes to the generosity of the trustees for all their donations to make this possible. Bart and I were delighted, thrilled and surprised on this retirement that this building was going to be called the Bart Luedeke Center, and I was going to have Linda’s space in it too.”