Description:
Barry F. Fulmer was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1947. After spending his early childhood living in Jersey City, his family moved to Springfield, where he grew up and attended public schools. During his youth, he was interested in amateur radio.
He attended Rutgers College from 1966 to 1970. As a political science major, he describes being influenced by professors Josef Silverstein and Ross Baker. He recalls Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey and Jean Shepherd, amongst others, speaking on campus. Because of his interest in ham radio, he worked at WRSU, covering the news and politics. He discusses the evolution of his views on the Vietnam War and involvement in anti-war demonstrations, along with the draft lottery taking place during his senior year and his experiences with getting a low draft number. Additionally, he relates events at Rutgers in the spring of 1970, notably the campus shutdown, the takeover of Old Queen's, and the commencement ceremony.
Mr. Fulmer went to Rutgers Law School in Camden, earning his law degree in 1974. In a career as an attorney spanning forty years, he worked in the public sector and in private practice. He has been active in community affairs, including LGBTQ and environmental advocacy.
Barry Fulmer's oral history is a part of the Class of 1970 Oral History Project to commemorate the class's fiftieth reunion milestone.
