Rutgers Living History Society

The Rutgers Oral History Archives' operations have been largely supported through the generosity and hard work of the Rutgers alumni community and dedicated New Jersey citizens that make up the 1,500-member strong Rutgers Living History Society (RLHS).  

Founded in 2002, RLHS is an honor society established to recognize those persons who participate in or loyally support the practice of oral history at Rutgers University and to generate enthusiasm and support for the practice of oral history at the University.  Membership is automatically extended to all who participate in the interview process at ROHA.  Membership may also be extended to persons who, while they have not contributed personal histories, have shown their support for ROHA by their noteworthy financial contributions or their helpful professional or executive guidance and advice.

The RLHS and ROHA host an Annual Meeting which brings between 200 and 500 guests (interviewees, supporters and their families) to the Rutgers-New Brunswick Campus.  The event features the presentation of the Society's Stephen E. Ambrose Oral History Award and a keynote address by the recipient.  The event garners significant news coverage and provides an opportunity for ROHA and Rutgers as a whole to show off its achievements to its constituents.

Purpose

• To recognize those persons who participate in or support the practice of oral history at Rutgers University, and
• To promote the practice of oral history, the development and maintenance of the Rutgers Oral History Archives and increase material, financial and institutional support for the Rutgers Oral History Archives and the Rutgers History Department.
• To support documentation of the culture and history of Rutgers and NJ's diverse populations using the practice of oral history.
• To support the work of the Rutgers Oral History Archives to collect and process oral histories, produce interview transcripts and participate in community events to celebrate the diverse and inclusive histories of Rutgers and New Jersey's many communities.

DEI Mission and Vision

The Rutgers Living History Society supports the work of the Rutgers Oral History Archives to collect and process oral histories, produce interview transcripts and participate in community events to celebrate the diverse and inclusive histories of Rutgers and New Jersey's many communities. The Rutgers Living History Society's vision is Engaging Diverse Voices to tell the whole Rutgers story. RLHS aspires to be an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating and maintaining a high-performing collection of volunteer members and leaders who reflect all the communities we serve.

The Community Liaison Committee (CLC)

The Rutgers Living History Society is governed by the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), which consists of those members of the Society who volunteer to serve on the CLC and who have made an annual financial commitment of any size to Rutgers Oral History Archives. CLC members also agree to use their skills as required to carry out the mission of the Society. 

Chair

William R. Fernekes '74

Vice-Chairs

Membership: William R. Fernekes '74 and Jenna Rutsky '16

Fundraising: Govinda Rajan

Events: Thomas Frusciano and John Robinson '71

Outreach: Jeffrey Rubin '70 and Sunita Gandhi

Elections and Constitution: Erika Gorder '91

Click Here for CLC Meeting Minutes (Password Protected)