PROSPECT PARK, NJ—Research about the cultural changes in Prospect Park by a William Paterson University professor and six students serves as the basis for a new book about the borough, Prospect Park, released in December by Arcadia Publishing as part of its Images of America Series. The 128-page book showcases the rich cultural, educational, and economic heritage of the northern New Jersey town and includes numerous historical photographs compiled with the help of local residents and community organizations.

The book project grew out of an ethnographic field study conducted by a group of William Paterson anthropology/education majors under the supervision of Ronald Verdicchio of Ridgewood, an associate professor of elementary and early childhood education. The students investigated the degree of cultural change the town has experienced as immigration and migration have become agents of change in the population.

“By design, we were all different,” Verdicchio says of the co-authors. “These are all high-performing and highly motivated students. Three speak Arabic, two are Spanish speakers, and one speaks Russian.”

The six students who co-authored the book are Eman Al-Jayeh of North Haledon, Bria Barnes of Scotch Plains, Kelly Ginart of Wayne, Amani Kattaya of Hawthorne, Megan Perry of Lake Hiawatha, and Paige Rainville of Ringwood.  The researchers spent time in the borough getting to know its residents, conducting oral histories, and interviewing local community leaders.

Prospect Park is available on Amazon.com. All royalties and net proceeds from book sales will be donated in the names of the authors to the William Paterson University Foundation.