Alumni Awards Celebration FDU Celebrates Distinguished Alumni at 2026

On May 5, Fairleigh Dickinson University welcomed alumni and friends to the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring graduates whose leadership, service, and professional accomplishments reflect the very best of the FDU community.

The event recognized alumni whose impact extends across industries, communities, and the University itself. President Michael Avaltroni joined members of the Alumni Association and Alumni Board of Governors in presenting four distinguished honors.

“Tonight is about recognition, gratitude, and community,” Avaltroni shared in his opening remarks. “We celebrate alumni who give their time, talent, and support to Fairleigh Dickinson University while helping shape futures for generations of students to come.”

The evening began with the presentation of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award to Franklin Wasserman,BA’24 (Flor), whose rapid professional rise in the sports industry has already made a significant impact. A former collegiate football student-athlete who balanced internships, academics, and athletics during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wasserman said, “I came into FDU already overcoming obstacles. The campus was isolated, and I prepared myself with more masks and bottles of hand sanitizer than notebooks.”

Despite the challenges, Wasserman completed internships with organizations including the New York Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Red Bulls before graduating early and beginning his professional career. Now serving as an account executive with the Miami Marlins, Wasserman leads numerous community engagement initiatives focused on cultural outreach, education, and youth opportunity. “This award is not a finish line,” he said. “It’s a reminder of where I came from, of the people who helped me along the way, and of the responsibility I carry to give back.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Michael Cannetti, BA’04, (Flor), a filmmaker, educator, and co-creator of the alumni-led Coming Home podcast. “To me, FDU is a place of opportunity,” Cannetti said. “It’s a place of second chances. And more than anything, it’s a place built on mentorship, kindness, and paying it forward.”

Recalling the faculty and staff members who believed in him as a struggling first-year student, Cannetti described returning to campus as an instructor in 2023 as a deeply emotional full-circle moment. “This wasn’t just a return,” he said. “It was a second chance to give back to the place and the people that gave so much to me.”

The evening also celebrated two recipients of the prestigious Elia G. Stratis C.A.S.T.L.E. Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association. The award recognizes alumni who embody the values of Commitment, Allegiance, Support, Teamwork, Leadership, and Enthusiasm through a lifetime of service to the University.

President Avaltroni first honored Lorren Cargill, BA’06 (Flor), a leader at EY and co-founder of CANVS Street Art whose work bridges enterprise strategy, culture, and community engagement.

In reflecting on his FDU journey, Cargill spoke about overcoming setbacks during his college years and the mentors and community members who helped shape his path.

“You don’t repay institutions like this with a single act,” Cargill said. “You repay them by becoming the kind of person who creates opportunities for others.” Cargill encouraged fellow alumni to continue building access, connection, and opportunity for future generations of students, emphasizing the power of community and mentorship.

The University also recognized Patrick Maguire, BA’81 (Flor) for his decades of volunteer leadership and unwavering dedication to FDU. “FDU has been an important part of my life since my time on the Florham Campus,” Maguire said. “It is where I grew not only academically, but personally.” Maguire spoke about the importance of listening, learning from others, and embracing the diversity of perspectives that define the FDU experience. “What I value most is the chance to connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences,” he shared. “It is something FDU does exceptionally well.”

From young professionals beginning their careers to lifelong volunteers who have dedicated decades to the University, the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration showcased the transformative impact of the FDU community and the many ways that alumni continue to shape the future.