Held on Friday, October 17, 2025, in historic Lenfell Hall at the Florham Campus, this year’s event brought together alumni, faculty, students, and friends of Fairleigh Dickinson University for an evening celebrating leadership, generosity, and community.
This year’s distinguished honorees included Leonard C. Green, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Hall of Fame inductees Sarah Hassan, BS’09, MBA’10, Clinton A. Lewis Jr. MBA’90, and Arleen Paladino MBA’91 who were recognized for their visionary leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and enduring commitment to FDU.
Dean James Almeida opened the evening by welcoming guests and reflecting on the enduring impact of the Silberman community.
“Each year, this celebration reminds us of the power of education, innovation, and community,” said Almeida. “The honorees we recognize tonight embody the entrepreneurial spirit and integrity that Buddy Silberman championed and their stories inspire our students to aim even higher.”
Following Dean Almeida’s remarks, President Michael J. Avaltroni, the first FDU graduate to serve as University President, emphasized the College’s global mission and the importance of investing in tomorrow’s leaders.
The evening featured two tribute videos and powerful acceptance remarks from each honoree.
Leonard C. Green, founder and chairman of The Green Group, shared wisdom from his entrepreneurial journey and underscored the importance of character, creativity, and giving back.
“With success comes the obligation to use your intellectual and financial capital to help others,” Green said. “Entrepreneurs can—and should—be the leaders in making the world better for those without a voice.”
Sarah Hassan, fund manager at Dynagrow Capital and former founding partner of IM HealthScience, reflected on innovation and leadership in healthcare.
Clinton A. Lewis Jr., CEO of AgroFresh Solutions and board member of International Paper, shared how FDU’s flexible and industry-relevant MBA program shaped his career trajectory.
Arleen Paladino, CFO of Crum & Forster and one of this year’s NJBIZ Leading Women in Business, spoke about the life-changing opportunities FDU provided.
“When I say FDU changed my life, I mean it in every sense,” Paladino said. “This community builds confidence, resilience, and a lifelong network of support.”
Student Scholar, Fiorella Merriman-Mendez
Fiorella Merriman-Mendez, a Silberman business student and scholarship recipient, captured the mission behind the gala through her remarks. Her story illustrated the direct impact of philanthropy on student opportunity and success, an emotional reminder of why the community gathers each year.
Special thanks to our sponsors, guests, and partners whose generosity made this record-breaking evening possible, and to the Silberman College of Business Board of Advisors for their leadership and support.
The 2025 Hall of Fame Gala’s impact continues. Every dollar raised supports scholarships that open doors for FDU students to become tomorrow’s business leaders.
In honor of the University’s founding in 1942, FDU annually dedicates 42 hours to bringing awareness and support to various campus causes and programs across the University.
This year, more than 1,025 donors raised a total of $528,299, supporting 65 different causes that benefit FDU students. From initiatives such as The Fund for FDU, which allows the University to quickly respond to student needs, to student scholarships, academics, student services, and FDU’s 34 Division I and Division III athletic programs—donors supported the causes that meant the most to them.
Nina Shirey, MSM’21, the first supporter for 42 Hours of Giving 2025 noted, “I wanted to give back to [the Devils Women’s Lacrosse team], the program that shaped me. My time at FDU gave me a true sense of community and helped me figure out who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I built so many meaningful, lasting connections as a student-athlete, and the support system around me guided me toward a career I love—one I wouldn’t have found without those experiences,”
This year’s 42 Hours of Giving was propelled by several donors who challenged the FDU community to rally behind its students. Dr. Stephen Klasko, former President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health—who received an honorary doctorate from FDU in 2024—led this year’s campaign with a $200,000 challenge. If 1,000 donors participated in 42 Hours of Giving, it would unlock a $200,000 gift from Dr. Klasko to establish the Klasko Innovation Humanics Challenge Fund, which supports the next generation of leaders driving interdisciplinary collaborations that reimagine education, technology, and the human component in an AI-driven world.
Alumna Ann Schwartz and her family—longtime supporters of the Center for Dyslexia Studies—generously presented a $37,000 challenge to benefit the Center for Dyslexia Studies and the Student Emergency Funds on the Florham and Metropolitan campuses.
Corporate partner Veolia North America, dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of engineers, scientists, and environmental leaders at FDU, offered a matching gift challenge: for every dollar donated to student scholarships, the company matched the contribution up to $15,000 to support STEM scholarships.
A U.S. Army veteran from the Class of 1983 offered a dollar-for-dollar match up to $4,000 for Veterans Services at FDU. Rounding out the giving day challenges, members of the Alumni Association Board of Governors challenged the FDU alumni community to rally 250 donors to unlock $25,000—a goal the alumni community surpassed, with nearly 400 alumni donors participating in 42 Hours of Giving.
“These challenges reflect what makes FDU extraordinary – a community where belief becomes action and generosity becomes transformation,” said President Michael J. Avaltroni.
Each year, the outpouring of support for 42 Hours of Giving showcases the strength and spirit of the FDU community. Since its inception in 2018, 42 Hours of Giving has raised $2.5 million for FDU students.
For questions about 42 Hours of Giving contact University Advancement at [email protected] or call us at (201) 692-7007. You can also visit us online at https://support.fdu.edu/42hours.
Fairleigh Dickinson University STEM students stepped into the world of real-world innovation during an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to Veolia North America’s New Jersey water treatment plant. The day, complete with a guided tour, lunch, and career panel, was part of an ongoing partnership between FDU and Veolia to inspire and empower the next generation of engineers, scientists, and environmental leaders.
Students were greeted by Alan Weland, Veolia Regional President, who shared insights into the company’s mission to “adapt human activity to our environment.” He explained how Veolia’s work in water management and sustainability shapes communities across New Jersey by serving more than one million people while solving increasingly complex environmental challenges.
“Regulations are evolving, the science is advancing, and the need for expertise is growing,” Weland said. “That’s where bright young minds like yours come in. You’re the future of this field and the reason we’re proud to invest in you.”
The students toured the facility with Andrea Potto, Community Outreach Specialist. They observed the sophisticated systems that ensure safe, sustainable drinking water, learning firsthand how their coursework translates into tangible impact.
Veolia engineers Pierro Aballo, Hannah Giacomin, and Christian Rodriguez
A highlight of the day was a career panel featuring Veolia engineers Pierro Aballo, Hannah Giacomin, and Christian Rodriguez, who shared candid stories about finding their paths in STEM and the rewarding challenge of solving problems that improve people’s lives. “Engineering gave me a way to connect my love for science with a desire to serve my community,” Rodriguez reflected. “It’s about caring for people through innovation.”
Veolia Regional President Alan Weland with Veolia Scholars Briana Bonaparte
Among the FDU attendees were Veolia Scholars Morikeh Kaba (Computer Science, ’28) and Jayden Baez (Electrical Engineering, ’27)—students whose academic journeys have been directly supported by the Veolia Water Scholarship.
Another Veolia Scholar, Brianna Bonaparte (Mathematics and Secondary Education, ’27) said the scholarship represents more than financial assistance, it’s affirmation. “It has shown me that hard work pays off,” she said. “I chose teaching because I want to change lives. Veolia’s support helps make that possible.”
Through this partnership, Veolia and FDU are not only shaping careers but fueling a sense of purpose: bridging corporate innovation with student aspiration. Together, they’re building a future where talent meets opportunity, and science serves humanity.
As we approach Fairleigh Dickinson University’s 42 Hours of Giving on October 22–23, we celebrate partnerships like this one, where industry leaders invest in education, and where generosity becomes innovation in action.
Join us in making more moments like this possible and support FDU students during #FDU42Hours by giving at support.fdu.edu/42hours.
It started out as a pathway to follow through on a grant.
It turned into a highly meaningful connection between FDU and underserved high school students in the region, mentoring and fostering opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that have paved the way for thousands of college educations and opportunities.
Like most meaningful interactions it needed support – and received it from FDU’s biggest benefactor and a slew of corporate supporters.
And it proved resilient when a global pandemic could have (and did) shutter so many other interactive face-to-face programs.
It is Fairleigh Dickinson’s Pre-Collegiate STEM Discovery Program, which is approaching its second full decade of service and has grown to include five distinct disciplines, that continues to acclimate to the changing academic and societal dynamics while creating free and meaningful learning opportunities for its participants.
Born of one of FDU’s primary strategic goals “to increase and diversify the pipeline of talented graduates in STEM,” the Pre-Collegiate STEM Discovery program enrolls northern New Jersey middle and high school students from underserved districts in college-level science and math programs on the University’s Metropolitan campus throughout the academic year. Students enhance their STEM literacy through project-based learning and gain college-readiness skills. The program is provided at no cost to participants.
The roots of the program were planted nearly 20 years ago when administrators from the City of Paterson approached Dr. Alberto Tan, Dean of the Gildart Haase School of Computer Science and Engineering, about a grant they were looking to use in partnership with engineering students of underserved populations.
“The Paterson School District approached us with the idea of bringing students out of Paterson and on to a college campus,” said Dr. Tan. “The administrator at Paterson had a connection to FDU as his mother actually worked in the cafeteria in the Rutherford campus and he was a first-generation college student.
Dr. Alfredo Tan
“Professor Melvin Lewis and I went to Paterson and we were so naive,” said Tan recalling the memory. “They said ‘if you offer a Saturday program, I’ll make sure the students will attend your program.’ We started offering Saturday out of goodwill, not knowing where the money would come from! We identified a little bit of funding enough to be able to buy breakfast and lunch for the students.”
From those humble beginnings came the Technical Enrichment Outreach Program (TEOP). But it could never survive without a consistent funding source.
Enter FDU’s largest benefactor Greg Olsen, BS’66, BS’68, MS’68, who made a $1M gift to permanently endow the program and see FDU’s promise to fruition in creating an underserved student population pipeline both to FDU and the STEM disciplines.
From there, starting with 35 students per semester, the program has continued to grow and flourish due to three major factors: Olsen’s generosity, the willingness of FDU professors to teach courses on weekends and the generous support of dozens of corporate entities who have valued the program in creating additional workforce and collegiate opportunities for thousands of students who otherwise may not have had the means.
Next up after TEOP, came META (Mathematics Enrichment Through Applications), following by CSEOP (Computer and Security Enrichment Outreach Program), particularly fitting with the increased opportunities in the cyberspace security fields, GEE (Girls Exploring Engineering) – the only program for middle school students that FDU offers – and finally the Python Scholars Program (Math). The CSEOP program has introduced Robotics into its curriculum and this fall will incorporate AI (Artificial Intelligence) into its teaching.
Those five programs have served roughly 2,000 students since the inception of TEOP in 2005 according to Tan. Beyond Olsen’s $1M endowment, corporation foundations and public agencies have donated $960,000 to date to support the cause.
“FDU’s Advancement Team has been very good at helping us not only secure grants but also renew the support by allowing companies to see the great work that is being done in the classes,” said Tan.
Tan has been the guiding force through the growth of the program and feels strongly about the program’s impact and good.
“In the STEM field there is not enough representation from underserved communities,” said Tan. “As we know STEM is really a field that allows a student to advance and routinely these jobs are amongst the top five growth and need occupations. If you can provide that opportunity, it doesn’t just help the student, it helps their family, that’s the very first thing, we are providing a very good service to the student and the community.”
FDU has also benefitted by seeing several of the students enroll at FDU after their involvement in the program.
“We would like to have them in our programs at FDU but it’s secondary, we don’t expect all to come to us, and students like the program and appreciate it,” said Tan. “The third part is more general: if you want the economy to be successful, we have to tap into the underserved populations; if you want to improve the economy you have to try to advance all people.”
However, to say that the pre-collegiate program’s growth has been linear would not be true. Enter Mark Robertson, Coordinator of Student Outreach & Career Development for the GHCSE program.
Robertson, who helps maintain school partnerships, executes new partnerships and memorandums of understanding and actively recruits students, came to FDU in the winter of 2020. One month later the campus shut down as a result of COVID and the global pandemic.
Mark Robertson hand delivering packages to students during the pandemic.
Suddenly a program that was built on one-on-one integrations of bringing students to FDU and learn very applied teaching concepts was at major risk of shuttering.
“The pandemic exposed for both PK-12 schools and colleges real issues with distance learning and the social disruption it caused,” said Robertson. “I saw an opportunity (to try to continue to deliver services) and was concerned that if we don’t use these (grant) monies we may have to pay them back…and that’s generally when programs end.”
It took some creative thinking and analysis to try to find new ways of delivery in a pandemic.
“Our number one cost for our programs is food (because they run on weekend mornings and students are fed both breakfast and lunch), not engineering equipment,” said Robertson. “And so, I said, well why don’t we reallocate? I don’t want to shut down now because not only could it disrupt our relationships with sponsors, but also, I think this is a time when schools and children need us even more, and parents need us even more. They’re under lockdown. And I think that this was an opportunity for FDU to also show that, hey, we are the ultimate partner. Some of the faculty were hesitant, too, but we talked with them and said, let’s give it a shot at continuing this virtually, and they all jumped on board. For reallocation of moneys, I think this was an opportunity for innovation.
“We did a competitive analysis with colleges, private non-profits and high schools and came up with a few areas where grants and gaps in employment were happening,” said Robertson. “Robotics was one of those areas and we had just begun to use them quite a bit in the GHSCSE. Let’s give it a shot to keep this going in areas of computer science and robotics. In addition, we decided to introduce Python, a computer program in math which is open sourced so even without us they can continue their learning and they receive college credit for passing the course.”
Robertson didn’t just endeavor to keep the programs going, he rolled up his sleeves and started doing the work that would ultimately not only keep the program afloat but grow.
“Not only did we bring robotics in,” said Robertson, “but I thought: ‘we need to get kits into the homes if we are going virtual.’ So, I took charge of that, and I turned my house into a warehouse, basically, and was the receiving center for all the shipment of engineering and robotics materials. And my nights were spent assembling kits to then ship to schools, and I also did some deliveries because schools would say, we can’t get a delivery but we could meet you out front.”
Instead of the program potentially ending, or suspending operations, Robertson and the FDU staff made sure that it thrived.
“This was the first time the schools had been asked, what are your gaps? Engaging them and identifying areas where our programs could grow; deepening the partnership and making it more collaborative, during a time when they had to cancel the majority of their co-curricular programs, here we are continuing and helping to do outreach,” said Robertson. “The outreach wasn’t transactional, and we delivered to the schools over 2,000 pounds of teaching materials thru Fed Ex to schools and students with over 50 deliveries. For us the pandemic brought out the very best in everyone.”
“We went from delivering five semesters of programming of regular outreach programs to eight semesters per year during the pandemic,” said Robertson. “For the kids, delivering these packages, I felt like Santa Claus sometimes,” he said with a laugh. “Engaging them intellectually, emotionally in a time of need and they were also engaged with students from other schools at a time when everything was locked down.”
Critical support has come from past and current donors BD, Bayer Fund, Emerson Charitable Foundation, Howmet Aerospace, Provident Bank Foundation, PSEG Foundation, Engineering Information Foundation, Manasha Corporation, Kinder Morgan, Walmart Foundation, Verizon (via the Independent Colleges & Universities of NJ), 3M and the US Army as DEVCOM is a sponsor for the Python Computer Science course which offers college credits.
Through the dedication of FDU’s talented staff, the generosity of many corporate and public allies as well as Greg Olsen, the Pre-STEM collegiate program has changed lives for nearly 20 years and has forged a path of continual growth, exploration and outreach.
“All of us are very proud of the programs and we are doing it not for the reward, but because it’s the right thing to do,” said Dr. Tan. “Education is an equalizer, it not only affects one person but also their entire family.”
Student Spotlight on Nadiyah Lee, BS’21
When did you get involved in the STEM programs and which specific programs were you involved with?
I started as a teaching assistant for Girls Exploring Engineering in the spring semester of my Sophomore year (Spring ’19).
Why did you want to be a part of this program and what did you gain from it?
I learned about GEE through my involvement with FDU’s Society of Women Engineers student chapter. I resonated with GEE’s goal of making STEM education accessible to young girls in hopes to close the engineering education gap that exists between boys and girls. I saw it as a program that I would’ve wanted to participate in when I was young so working as a TA helped to heal that part of my childhood I didn’t get a chance to experience. Working with the students was always so refreshing and reminded me of all the reasons I became an engineer in the first place. Their curiosity and willingness to try new ideas, make mistakes, and transform failures into creative solutions is a lesson I still hold with me in my career now.
Can you share a story about a relationship forged or experience that you had as a part of the program that you really cherish?
Each semester, I had the opportunity to watch the students grow into their confidence through having an idea, sharing it with their group, and collaborating to figure out ways to bring each group member’s ideas to life. GEE is so much more than just exploring engineering topics, it creates a safe space for students to advocate for themselves, work in a team, and enjoy friendly competition. So by the end of the program, we truly see each students’ personality shine through and that’s what makes it special. Spaces like these for young girls are important in a society where they are expected to dim their own light.
Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), announced that Marjorie West-Lawrence, MSN, RN, and DNP student with a focus on underserved populations at Fairleigh Dickinson University, has been selected as a Jonas Scholar for the program’s 2024-2026 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.
West-Lawrence joins a select group of 63 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As a Jonas Scholar, West-Lawrence will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.
Marjorie joins an incredibly diverse group of doctoral nursing students, with over 50% of its 2024-2026 cohort representative of Black, Latino, and other communities of color, ensuring that burgeoning nursing leaders reflect the patient population of their diverse communities. This group of 63 Scholars contain a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including underserved populations in nursing, mental health, and veterans’ health.
For more information about the Jonas Scholars program, please visit https://www.aacnnursing.org/jonas-nursing.
In January of 2023, City of Clifton residents gathered at Clifton High School for the formal swearing in of the new Mayor, Raymond Grabowski. Grabowski became the first Mayor since the retirement of James Anzaldi, who was among the top 20 longest-tenured mayors in the United States at the time of his retirement, after being elected as his beloved hometown’s Mayor in 1990.
L-R: Gerry Zecker, Ray Grabowski and James Anzaldi
Also in the audience was the only other living past Mayor of Clifton, Gerry Zecker. It was a milestone in the history of the City of Clifton and so many Cliftonites gathered to show respect to their treasured Mayor Anzaldi (aka “Uncle Jimmy” as he is fondly called for his amazing relationships with so many). Citizens were also in attendance to show their support to the new Mayor as we turned a page in Clifton History. It was a time of unity and the future of the 100-plus years of the existence of the City of Clifton.
Taking in this historic occasion was Fairleigh Dickinson University Board of Governor’s member and soon to become President of the Alumni Association, Rosemary Trinkle Baran. The Trinkle family had been long-time supporters of both Mayor Zecker and Mayor Anzaldi (who were both students of Rosemary’s late grandmother Florence). The audience did not know what Rosemary knew which was all three of these Mayors who have served their beloved City of Clifton were also FDU Rutherford graduates! Zecker, BA ‘63, Anzaldi, BS ‘74, and Grabowski, BS ‘75. Rosemary also has close ties to Mayor Grabowski, having graduated with his late brother and former councilman Matthew Grabowski.
One might ask the question if this is some kind of a coincidence, and we think not! While the commute from Clifton to Rutherford was quick with many routes if the highway was busy, and Clifton has many FDU Rutherford graduates, there may be more to this significant historical footnote. Perhaps it goes back to the legacy of FDU, and the goal to provide education to first generation students, but it also goes back to other parts of the FDU mission of preparing world citizens. With so many years of dedication to helping others all three of these Clifton Mayors are working each day to help others.
Mayor Anzaldi currently serves as a Congressional aid to Congressman Bill Pascrell, and Mayor Zecker recently finished serving as Assembly aid to retiring Assemblyman Tom Giblin. Each day, these two past Mayors are still called by so many citizens asking for their advice…there seems to be no retirement for our FDU graduates and retired Mayors! What they learned at FDU has transformed their lives to years of service. Mayor Zecker and Mayor Grabowski also recently attended the FDU Rutherford reunion and we look forward to all three Mayors ongoing involvement as we forge ahead in revitalizing our Rutherford Alumni Chapter.
Suffice to say, the City of Clifton has much to be thankful to Fairleigh Dickinson University!
The Fairleigh Dickinson University Hospitality & Tourism Alumni Group will host a special reception – “Hospitality and Hoops” – prior to the FDU-Wagner men’s basketball game on Thursday, February 8 at the Metropolitan Campus Rothman Center.
The event begins at 6:00 pm for a pre-game reception, where you can network and enjoy refreshments with your fellow hospitality alumni in the Stratis Lounge overlooking the court before tip-off at 7:00 pm.
Be sure to wear your FDU gear and be ready to get loud as we cheer on the Burgundy & Blue! We look forward to a great evening with our alumni and friends.
Please click the link below to register for the event!
