Past Signature Event
Charter Day 2021

Charter Day 2021 was like no other. Instead of 500 people gathering in a tent on the Great Lawn in front of Hennessy Hall at the Florham Campus, 500 people gathered online to participate in the University’s most successful Charter Day ever. During the one hour program, participants of Virtual Charter Day Live 2021 were encouraged to make donations in support of student scholarships. At the end of the evening, Senior Vice President for University Advancement, Rick Reiss, announced, “We have met and exceeded our goal of raising more than $1 million dollars.”

Charter Day 2021 honored Marta Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports. Tellado is a 1981 graduate of FDU and also a member of the University’s board of trustees. Patrick Zenner, MBA ’75, outgoing chair of the board of trustees, was also recognized for nearly 25 years of service to the University. In tribute to Zenner, his fellow trustees, friends and family donated to the newly created Zenner Scholarship Fund.

Among the many dignitaries congratulating Tellado during the virtual event were Senator Bill Bradley, for whom Marta worked as a senior advisor, and Craig Newmark, CEO of Craig’s List. Participants were treated to some wonderful entertainment including a cooking demonstration by celebrity and award-winning chef, David Burke. The night’s activities included a performance by Abby Lopez, who sang “I’m Not Afraid of Anything,” from Songs for a New World. Abbey is one of the FDU Theater Department’s brightest stars. Other highlights included remarks by Kelley Kramer, BA’05, who is now the deputy managing editor of Fox News Digital, and Tramaine Cooper, BS’07, MS’09, who now serves as the senior director, brand performance support for Hilton Worldwide. As students, Abbey and Tremaine were both Charter Day scholarship recipients. You can watch a replay of the event here.