Rowan marks 40th anniversary of Glassboro Summit

November 05, 2007

Close to 800 Rowan community members, Glassboro and other South Jersey residents and friends of the University turned out the weekend of June 23-24 as Rowan hosted open houses at Hollybush Mansion to kick off the 40th anniversary of the historic Cold War-era summit between President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin.

On June 23 and 25, 1967, Johnson and Kosygin met face to face at then-Glassboro State College to discuss the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War, which found them on opposing sides, and other world issues. While Johnson and Kosygin did not sign a formal agreement, they did acknowledge that the Glassboro Summit was successful, and the Summit helped start to ease some Cold War tensions.

The recent Hollybush open houses - during which visitors had a chance to tour the recently renovated mansion and provide oral histories of their memories of the Summit - were just the start of anniversary events planned for the 2007-08 academic year.

Guests will continue to be able to visit Hollybush, which during the last three years has undergone approximately $4.5 million in extensive interior and exterior renovations funded by the University and the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Throughout the year, visitors also will have an opportunity to explore the past, present and future through various events sponsored by the University and individual colleges, departments and programs that will highlight some of the issues regarding Middle East conflicts, diplomacy and nuclear nonproliferation.

"We're proud that Rowan University is the only U.S. campus ever to host a summit between an American president and a Soviet premier," said Dr. Donald Farish, president. "But looking at the past is not enough. This year we are providing opportunities for engagement and open dialogue on issues that are as important today as they were when the two leaders met here 40 years ago."
Notes:

Use the following link to read an account of the historic summit in Rowan Magazine:

http://rowanmagazine.com/features/feature49/

Hollybush Website

Lecture Series