Fairleigh Dickinson reflects on key accomplishments of 2015

Fairleigh Dickinson University students, staff and alumni contributed to 2015 being a memorable year for the school. 

Among the year's highlights: 

**Merijoel Durán, an Emmy Award-winning anchor for Univisión, continued studies in the school's Puerta al Futuro (Door to the Future) Program.

**Eleven Global Scholars from the Metropolitan Campus went to Cuba for a cultural exchange program where they learned about the country’s culture and history. 

**The Kangaroo Crew, a university organization, helped children develop a love for reading through books, computer games and even apps.

**School of Pharmacy students spent spring break volunteering at Give Kids the World, a nonprofit resort for children fighting life-threatening illnesses.

**Four students from the Vancouver Campus traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for the World Model United Nations.

**Five mechanical engineering students participated in the 2015 American Society for Mechanical Engineers Student Design Competition, developing a robot that can navigate through an obstacle course.

**Madeline Boughton, a 2005 alumna, chaperoned an overseas trip for her high school students.

**An associate computer graphic professor and director of the graphic design program on the Florham Campus, Janet O’Neil painted a portrait of a rescue dog that went viral nationally.

**Exchange students Edy Semaan and Camila Curnis created Global Young Voices, a website for articles and essays written by international students at the university.

**Film professor David Landau and alumnus Jim Cocoliato co-directed “Dark Tarot,” a film with an all-student and alumni crew. The film premiered on Amazon prime and Hulu, two major streaming services.

**Rick Laughland, a three-time FDU alumnus, is a writer and editor for Scout.com and a commentator on FOX Sports.

**Keith Griffiths and Maryann Sena, both alumni of the Metropolitan Campus, created paintings to raise environmental awareness for the Hackensack River.

**“Weird NJ” magazine featured a Florham student art project.

**The Knights women’s soccer team won the Northeast Conference Championship for the first time and made it to the NCAA tournament.

**Devils sophomore wide receiver Malik Pressley delivered on the football field, hauling in the second most touchdown receptions in the country.

**Actress and alumna Angelica Herndon appeared on NBC’s firefighter drama, “Chicago Fire.”

**Former Knights bowler and Metropolitan Campus alumna Danielle McEwan competed at the World Bowling Women’s Championships.