About the Event
FDU Forward celebrates our alumni, friends and storied past, with a commitment to our future, all in an effort to provide students with the financial resources to transform their lives. On this special evening where we raise vital scholarship funds to support the future of our students, we honor the alumni and friends who remind us that the possibilities of what you can achieve are limitless and we look to the future to transform the lives of our students and our university.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. - Ceremonies Commence | 8:00 p.m. - Cocktail & Dinner Reception
Location: Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus | 1 Mansion Mall | Madison, NJ
Attire: Smart casual
Parking: Valet parking will be available
Questions: Email Jen Herr in the Office of University Advancement or call (201) 692-7011
Can't make the event? Consider a gift to support FDU Forward and student scholarships.
Honor our Past
The PINNACLE Society
Recipients of The PINNACLE award are chosen by past award inductees, based on the following criteria: success or distinction in one’s chosen field of endeavor, significant contributions to society and humanity through public or humanitarian service and outstanding service to the University or reflection of the unique character of FDU in one’s life.
Congratulations to our 2026 PINNACLE Society Honorees!
Dick Sweeney, MBA'86
Retired. Co-Founder of Keurig.
Walter Tombs, BS'87
Retired. Former Chief Financial Officer.
Jersey Mike's Subs
Rosemary Trinkle Baran, BS'83
Manager of Organizational Development & Talent Management
NY Presbyterian Hospital
Transform our Future
FDU Forward Transformational Honoree
Victory Home Remodeling
Bill Winters, BS'10
CEO at Victory Home Remodeling
Mike Winters, BS'13
Regional Vice President at Victory Home Remodeling
Matt Winters, BS'14
Co-Founder at Victory Home Remodeling
Frank LaGuarina, BS'14
Co-Founder at Victory Home Remodeling
Lifetime Achievement Award
For Service to Health
Alan Lee, MAS'11
Transforming HealthCare
FDU HealthPath Forward
FDU HealthPath Forward is an ambitious new strategic initiative designed to revolutionize healthcare education, training and innovation.
FDU HealthPath Forward addresses the growing crisis of healthcare workforce shortages. We will integrate FDU’s strengths in health sciences, business, hospitality, engineering, cybersecurity and other related disciplines to create innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges. FDU is committed to achieving a far-reaching impact by establishing a coalition of partner institutions and developing FDU’s campuses as hubs for lifelong learning, health and wellbeing.
"We have a vision for the future of healthcare education, and we want to bring together dynamic partners and create an ecosystem of innovation and leadership that empowers individuals and organizations to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes.” - President Michael Avaltroni