INFORMATION FOR
The William Paterson University Foundation will celebrate its twentieth annual Legacy Award Gala with a special honoree: President Arnold Speert, who is retiring after twenty-five years at the helm of William Paterson University. President Speert will be presented with the Legacy Award, the Foundation’s highest honor, at the gala on Friday, April 16, 2010, in recognition of his four decades of leadership on campus.
The gala is the Foundation’s annual event to raise funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence. This year’s event will be held at The Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, New Jersey, and also will include the William Paterson University Alumni Association’s presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Faculty Service Awards.
“The Legacy Gala provides us with a wonderful opportunity to honor President Speert by supporting the University's students and mission,” says Sandra S. Deller, vice president for institutional advancement and president of the William Paterson University Foundation. “This support is a fitting tribute to President Speert and all that he has accomplished through his many years of dedicated leadership, which is synonymous with the growth and development of this great University.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Gerald Frungillo ’79 of Madison, co-owner, Frungillo Caterers, Inc.; Donna M. Fry ’81 of Warwick, N.Y., president and executive director, Valley Home and Community Health Care; Dave Neglio ’84 of Wayne, former president, Transit Division, Titan; Linda Niro ’76 of Bridgewater, executive vice president and chief risk officer, Bank North; and James O’Connor ’75 of Oakland, police chief, retired, Borough of Oakland, N.J.
The Faculty Service Award is given to faculty members nominated by William Paterson alumni in recognition of demonstrated career achievement and commitment to the University. This year's recipients are Anne Ciliberti, Ph.D., of Glen Rock, director, library services, David and Lorraine Cheng Library, and Gunvor Satra of Wayne, professor of history, retired.
“This annual gala provides us with an opportunity to honor and recognize the important accomplishments of our alumni and faculty while also generating significant support for scholarships and other major University initiatives, which have a lifelong impact on our students,” says Deller.
Tickets for the gala are $400. Tables of ten can be purchased starting at $4,000, with journal messages starting at $150. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Faculty Service Awards. The event continues with cocktails and silent auction beginning at 7:00 p.m., and Legacy Award presentation and dinner at 8:00 p.m. For reservations, call Mary Pospisil, William Paterson University Office of Institutional Advancement, at 973.720.2934. In addition, those interested in supporting the event can participate in an online auction featuring a variety of unique items; the auction can be accessed at wplegacyauction.cmarket.com.
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