New Jersey Folk Festival Program Book 2013 Apr. 2013 | Page 4

A Student-Run Event History of The Festival

This festival is the end product of a class
intended, in part, to provide students with leadership
opportunities. The Festival is one out of only a handful
in the united states managed by undergraduate
students. Collectively, the class is responsible for
continuing the Festival’s mission of celebrating the
diverse, multicultural and indigenous folk life of New
Jersey and the region.

In 1975, when the Festival first started,
only two students were involved in its organization
and management. Today, fifteen students serve
as coordinators for the music, food, crafts, and
demonstrations that you see today on the field. Alumni
of the Festival also serve as advisors to the committee.

2013 Student and Advisor Committee

The class meets for three hours once per week
under the direction of Faculty Advisors Dr. Angus
Kress Gillespie and Erin Clarke. The first half of the
class is comprised of academic lessons and instruction
in which the students learn concepts including
background information on the culture featured for
the year’s festival, performer’s histories, and relevant
skills like writing press releases. The second half of
the class functions as a business meeting run by the
Festival Manager, complete with progress reports from
coordinator, “breakaway” management teamwork
sessions, as well as problem-solving discussions
during the meeting wrap-up.

The coordinators form a close-knit team,
and over the course of several months, each student
develops such leadership skills as written and verbal
communication, organization, assertiveness, and time
management. This class is part