A MESSAGE FROM OCC FOUNDATION BOARD VICE-CHAIR CASEY YETMAN
I am honored to introduce the latest edition of our Life & Legacy newsletter, and to celebrate a remarkable woman whose leadership shaped our community and uplifed those around her while setting the foundation for future generations of exceptional leaders.
LEGACY CAMPAIGN “BY THE NUMBERS”
Together, we have raised over $4.85 million in pledges toward our $25M campaign goal. Thank you for your support!
$25M
As the OCC Foundation’s first female chair, Barbara J. Hiering goal understood that leadership is more than just making decisions – it’s about making a diference. Her lifetime of service reminds us that efective leadership involves leading with purpose, compassion,
$4.85M and a steadfast commitment to empowering individuals to achieve raised their highest potential. Although she received many awards and accolades for her outstanding contributions, she is still perhaps best known for her generosity and kindness. Her dedication to service and philanthropy has lef an indelible mark on our community and continues to serve as inspiration for us all.
The OCC Foundation celebrates community leaders who demonstrate Barbara’s commitment to supporting our students and building a more promising future. I hope you’ll join us in honoring their legacies and contributions as we all work together to empower the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
Ocean County College Foundation Vice-Chair
continues to evolve right before our eyes. A college degree, vocational certificate and opportunities to expand one’s personal knowledge base has never been more important in ensuring continued individual and professional success in today’s world.
-David C. Wintrode, Campaign Chair
Casey Yetman,
BARBARA J. HIERING’S LEGACY
Recognition often comes with flashy headlines and loud applause, but Barbara J. Hiering’s legacy is a quieter and more enduring one. Her impact is deeply embedded in our community—in the scholar ships that send local students to college, the advancements in health care that save lives, and in the experiences of countless people who may never have met her, but whose lives have been transformed by her advocacy and philanthropic work.
Hiering’s relationship with Ocean County College began in 1984, when she first joined the OCC Foundation as a member of the special events commit tee. An active member of the Foundation Board for more than two decades, she served as treasurer beginning in 1993 and then as the Foundation’s first Chairwoman from 1994 to 1999. Barbara and her husband, Sen. William T. Hiering, founded the Foundation’s annual garden party and hosted the event at their home for ten years, rais ing more than $2.5 million for student scholarships and Foundation projects. She was a recipient of the OCC Foundation Board of Trustees Award for dedication and service to the college in support of higher education. In 1995, her out standing contributions to Ocean County College earned her the “Commitment to Excellence” award from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.
Hiering’s civic engagement extended far beyond educa tion. A passionate advocate for health care advancement, she held distinguished positions on the boards of the Ocean County Board of Health, the Community Medical Center Foundation, the Jersey Coast Health Planning Council, CMC’s Center for Women’s Health, and the Center State Health Group. She was also a member of the Point Pleasant
Hospital Auxiliary. In 1988, she became the first woman to receive the Humanitarian Award from Kimball Medical Center for her extraordinary contributions to health care initiatives in New Jersey. Her commitment to the com munity was evidenced by her devoted service to many local organizations, including the St. Joseph’s Century Club, the United Way, the Garden State Arts Center Foundation, the Monmouth County Girl Scout Council, and the Boy Scouts of America, even as she served the community in her profes sional career as a real estate associate with Crossroads Realty in Toms River.
During her lifetime, Hiering was the recipient of numerous pres tigious awards recognizing her exceptional service and fun draising efforts. Among these honors are the MonmouthOcean Development Council’s Silver Gull award for exemplary community service and the Adolph Woolley Good Scout award for dedicated service to the Boy Scouts of America. The Century Club of St. Joseph’s Church recognized Hiering’s years of fundraising work for the church’s academic scholar ship foundation, underscoring the extent of her philanthropic impact.
This year will mark two decades since Barbara Hiering’s passing, but her influence still resonates throughout our community today. The causes she champi oned now serve a new genera tion of students, while the civic institutions she advocated for continue to stand as testaments to her support. Perhaps her greatest legacy, however, is in the spirit of service she inspired in others. Her life story reminds us that when we dedicate our time, talents and energy to giv ing, our impact extends well beyond our years.
THEN NOW& SAVE THE
The annual Scholarship Celebration, hosted by Bill and Barbara Hiering at their home for more than
a decade, is now held each June on OCC’s campus mall, raising crucial funds in support of the students of Ocean County. For more information about the Scholarship Celebration, visit occfoundation.org
“The Scholarship Celebration remains one of Ocean County’s signature and stand-out charitable events. We hope to continue this tradition for years to come.”
- OCC Foundation Executive Director, Ken Malagiere
UPCOMING EVENTS
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 7:00 p.m.
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION
FRIDAY, JUNE 27 6:00 p.m.
VIKING 5K AND FUN RUN
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 9:00 a.m.
SUP THE RIVER RACE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 9:00 a.m.
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 9:30 a.m.
“ The OCC Foundation Legacy Campaign partners the long-standing support of our donors with the future aspirations of our students, ensuring Ocean County College will always be a pillar of educational advancement in our community. ” - OCC President Pamela Monaco
1986, Hirair and Anna Hovnanian, Joseph Citta, Barbara and William Hiering
1980, Joseph Citta, Barbara and William Hiering
Hiering
James J. Bufum Memorial Race
SHARE YOUR LEGACY STORY ...
Do you have a personal memory from OCC history?
We want to hear from you! Send an email to Foundation@ocean.edu
FALLEN PHRASE
Complete the puzzle by filling each space with a letter from the column beneath.
