ADVANCEMENT 28
Thriving During Challenging Times Match Challenge for Betty Newman Scholarship Continues Through October 31, 2011 Since announcing the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund gift challenge – in which an anonymous donor pledged to match all gifts made to the fund by October 31, up to $125,000 – Newark Academy is pleased to report that gifts totaling more than $45,000 have been received. When matched, this translates into nearly $100,000 for NA’s financial aid and scholarship program. When the matching challenge is met, the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund will be fully endowed and capable of providing a full scholarship to a designated student for the 2012-2013 academic year. The student selected will possess academic excellence, as well as a high regard for community service.
Betty Newman was one of Newark Academy’s most beloved faculty members. Her role at NA was far reaching – from the phenomenal track record she had with her Humanities AP students to the creation of the Community Service Program and the students’ Holiday Party for families in need – her impact on the NA community is immeasurable. If you are interested in accepting the gift challenge by making a contribution to the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund, please contact Lisa Grider, Director of Institutional Advancement, at (973) 992-7000, ext. 320 or lgrider@newarka.edu.
Pitch Perfect Generous Gift Benefits Baseball Field Before the season even started, the Newark Academy baseball team hit a home run in the form of a gift that brought major improvements to NA’s baseball field. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous family, Opening Day saw the Minutemen take their place on a field that was well-groomed and safer than it has ever been. “This family’s substantial gift to the baseball program enabled us to make dramatic improvements,” said Athletic Director Ed Manigan. “Our student-athletes can now proudly take to the field in a facility that is as good, or better, than any of our opponents. These improvements not only benefit the team, but our fans as well.” Work on the field began in the snowy days of January when the installation of a new irrigation system began. Throughout the winter and the very early spring, work continued as a new backstop (with windscreen), dugouts (with roofs), and baseline fencing went up. Refurbishment ensured that home plate, the pitcher’s mound and the bullpens were in tip-top
shape and the team benefited from pre-season work on the new batting machine that was also part of this donation, which totaled more than $50,000. “We are just delighted that this NA family put their financial support behind an area that they are clearly passionate about,” said Lisa Grider, Director of Advancement. “We are so grateful for this gift and doubly so because this family also supports the needs of the broader NA community through their loyal and generous gifts to the Annual Fund each year. NA baseball’s anonymous benefactor acknowledged that while improving safety was a factor in the decision, the primary motivation was the desire to honor and encourage Coach Frank Dasti and the Minuteman team. “Coach Dasti, his staff and the players all work so hard. We are delighted that we could make a gift to help the baseball program to continue to be one of the many strengths of Newark Academy.”