FDU NOW Campaign Update

FDU NOW: The Campaign for Fairleigh Dickinson University has raised more than $33 million to date. Contributions to the campaign are supporting strategic University initiatives including the endowment, scholarships, athletics, the Fund for FDU, global education, the John and Joan Monninger Center for Learning and Research at the College at Florham and the Student Union Building at the Metropolitan Campus.

Campaign Steering Committee Meets

On September 18, 2008, the FDU NOW Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by alumnus and University Trustee Greg Olsen, BS’66, BS’68, MS’68 (Metro), convened to review recent campaign activity and discuss strategies for reaching the $50-million goal.

The committee heard from two FDU representatives: Michael Avaltroni, chemistry and chair, chemistry (Flor), and James Barrood, executive director, Rothman Institute (Flor), who reported on progress that has been made as a result of substantial campaign support in their respective areas. Avaltroni discussed the Institute for the Enhancement of Teaching Science and Math, funded by the Martinson Family Foundation and BASF. Barrood highlighted the Frank J. Walsh Endowed Scholarship for Entrepreneurial Studies, funded by alumna Patricia Wisniewski, BS’77 (Ruth), and her husband, Ray Wisniewski.

Addressing committee members, President J. Michael Adams said, “We are strengthening the University’s relationship with old and new friends, building a foundation of philanthropy that will sustain FDU for years to come. FDU NOW is not just about now but about the future of the University and the future generations of students who will walk through our doors.”

Recent gifts to the campaign highlighted at the meeting include:

• $1.7 million from the estate of Valerie Becton Mills, the sister of FDU trustee emeritus Henry Becton and the daughter of Maxwell Becton, one of the University’s founders.

• $60,000 from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for the University’s Urban Pre-college Program.

• $300,000 from Shire Pharmaceuticals to endow a scholarship in the Silberman College of Business.

• $375,000 from the Holly Beach Public Library Association to endow the Baucus and Co. Scholarship.

• $50,000 from BASF to support the Institute for the Enhancement of Teaching Science and Math.

• $50,000 from Robert Pures, BS’67 (Flor), for the Student Union Building on the Metropolitan Campus and the John and Joan Monninger Center for Learning and Research at the College at Florham.

Employee Donors Recognized

Ice cream socials were recently held on both campuses to recognize the generosity of FDU employees who made gifts to the FDU NOW campaign. Approximately 100 employee donors attended the events. Addressing those in attendance at the Metropolitan Campus, President J. Michael Adams said, “A gift from an FDU employee is especially meaningful because it is made in addition to the work you do for the University and our students each and every day. It makes a deep impression on the outside community and inspires others to give and do more.”

Top photos: At the ice cream social at the Metropolitan Campus were, from left, Janet Sigal, psychology (Metro); Jeanne Mazzolla, assistant to director, psychology (Metro); Judith Kaufman, psychology and director, MA in general-theoretical psychology (Metro); Richard Panicucci, quantitative analysis and assistant campus provost for campus life (Metro); Wayne Richardson, general counsel (Metro/Flor); James Marcum, University librarian (Metro/Flor); Karen Lewis, senior director of principal gifts, University advancement (Metro); Samuel Feinberg, psychology (Metro); and FDU President J. Michael Adams. Bottom photos: Attendees at the College at Florham ice cream social were, from left, Patricia Rydzewski, supervisor of print/microform access service, College at Florham Library (Flor); Mary Marks, associate University librarian and head, technical services, College at Florham Library (Flor); Maureen Curry, manager of compensation, human resources (Flor); Geoffrey Weinman, English and dean, Becton College (Flor); Joan Desilets, health/physical education (Flor); Jason Scorza, associate provost for global learning (Metro/Flor) and philosophy/political science (Metro); Marilyn Gross, assistant director, corporate/foundation relations, University advancement (Metro); Maria Webb, assistant director, College at Florham Library (Flor); Colleen Di Gregorio, public relations/marketing coordinator, University libraries (Flor); and Bethany Rabinowitz, English (Flor).

Matching Grant

The University recently became the recipient of a matching grant from alumnus Michel “Mitch” Baumeister, BA’66 (Flor), a member of FDU’s Global Advisory Board and the FDU NOW Campaign Steering Committee. For a limited time, the grant will match all gifts from new donors, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $50,000. “We are deeply grateful to Mitch for making this generous gift and helping to encourage new donors to support the University and our students,” said Rick Reiss, senior vice president for University Advancement (Metro/Flor).

Reception for the Institute for the Enhancement of Teaching Science and Math

On October 2, 2008, a reception was held at the College at Florham to highlight the University’s Institute for the Enhancement of Teaching Science and Math (IETSM).

Under the direction of Avaltroni and Ellen Campbell, education and director, MA for Certified Teachers (Metro), the IETSM enhances the skills of middle school and high school teachers who focus on teaching science, math and technology. The event recognized the generous support of BASF and the Martinson Family Foundation and invited teachers and administrators from local schools to learn about the institute’s programs.

Speakers during the IETSM reception at the College at Florham included, from left, Chris Groff, executive director of corporate/foundation relations, University advancement (Metro/Flor); Ellen Campbell, education and director, MA for Certified Teachers (Metro); Michael Avaltroni, chemistry and chair, chemistry (Flor); and Maureen Paukert, manager, site/community relations, BASF.

Robert T. Shields Golf Outing

Ninety-six golfers — FDU alumni, staff and friends — participated in this year’s Robert T. Shields/Fairleigh Dickinson University Devils Alumni Golf Outing on September 22, 2008, at Cedar Hill Golf and Country Club in Livingston, N.J. Now in its 11th year, the golf outing celebrates the life and work of coach Robert Shields and raises funds to support Division III athletic programs at the College at Florham. Bob Shields, who passed away a few days after this year’s outing on September 26, is remembered by College at Florham Athletics Director Bill Klika as “the single most influential person in the athletic program at the College at Florham. He was the founder of it all and will always be remembered for his overall general concern for the well being of all of the student athletes.”

Left photo: At the Robert T. Shields/Fairleigh Dickinson University Devils Alumni Golf Outing are, seated, Valerie Adams, director, career development (Flor); and standing, from left, alumna Donna Del Prete Marki, FDU trustee, BS’82 (Flor); alumna Lori Lee Dickson, BA’82 (Flor); and Karen Lewis, senior director of principal gifts, University advancement (Metro). Right photo: Robert Shields, right, retired director of athletics (Flor), with alumnus Michel Baumeister, BA’66 (Flor), a member of FDU’s Global Advisory Board and of the FDU NOW Campaign Steering Committee, at the golf outing. The following week, Shields passed away.

More Information

For more information about FDU NOW, go to http://www.myfdu.net/fdunow .