Rose Glassberg
Rose Glassberg had a plan and a schedule for her career in academia, but everything changed when JFK was assassinated in 1963. “I told myself, ‘there are no tomorrows, kid,’” and with that the young Ph.D. candidate prepared to shift from teaching English in a Philadelphia public school to teaching at a college. She sorted out her options and Glassboro ended up the winner.

Glassberg joined the English faculty in 1964. In 1975, still teaching a favorite English class, American English Grammar, she transferred to secondary education. With 13 years in the public schools and, then, a decade in higher ed, she put to good use her expertise in guiding young teachers. She developed what she calls a “pretty spiffy course” in English teaching methods. “I loved working with students. You really teach students how to think when you teach any subject,” she said. “If you don’t develop adults who are able to learn on their own, then a major part of your mission as a faculty member has not been fulfilled.”

Outside the classroom, Glassberg served as American Federation of Teachers president for 18 years, the longest anyone has held the position at the University. Now she is president of the Rowan AFT Retirees’ Chapter and is literally chief cook and bottle washer for the group’s most well-received fundraiser: fruit syrup, sauce and marmalade sales. With a nod to school marms at the heart of education everywhere, Glassberg’s lemon and orange concoctions are labeled “AFT Marm.” “I have the world’s best food processor,” she says. “I make the marmalade and fruit syrups and we sell them to raise money for the scholarships. Last year we gave four $500 awards to students.”

Still quite busy supporting education (she’s been known as the “union godmother” for her helpfulness to students) and expanding the services of the retirees’ chapter, Glassberg reports that she is “thoroughly enjoying” her retirement. She plans the Glassberg family reunions and takes special pleasure in her “pride and joy,” great-niece Rachel.

For fun and games, Glassberg picks up a hand of bridge a few times a week and participates in local tournaments as well as in Cape Cod and Washington, D.C. And although her skill has earned her enough competitive points with the South Jersey Bridge Club and tournaments to attain the level of Bronze Life Master, she prefers playing “one step above kitchen table.”

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Alumni can honor retired faculty by donating to a scholarship fund and other investment. Call Anne Hagan at 856-256-5402 or visit the Rowan University Foundation.