Donors Make the Difference

MANY PATHWAYS. ONE DESTINATION.

Philanthropic support increasingly benefits our students who, in turn, impact their communities, our region and the world. Thanks to generous donations from alumni, friends of the University, organizations and staff, a multitude of students are able to maintain their trajectories and realize the sometimes elusive dream of earning a university degree.

As we all continue to recalibrate through the shifting parameters of a global pandemic, the University’s community of donors demonstrated their resilience. An increase of 46 percent in giving over the same period last year is helping our enrolled students stay the course during this challenging time.

Recent giving highlights include a $849,000 grant award (NJ PLACE) from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development that will support TESU’s career-forward initiative and seeks to merge apprenticeship training with higher education. Up to 100 apprenticeship students will have the opportunity to earn their associate degrees at no cost to them while learning their trade. Thomas Edison is the sole higher education institution in the state to be awarded such a grant.

The University was honored to receive its first-ever gift to support student initiated research. With a generous $100,000 contribution from The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation (CWNF), the University established the Dr. Robert M. Adams Legacy Award for Student Research Fund. Adams, a noted academic, was a founding trustee of the CWNF and recently retired after 40 years of service. The CWNF has also provided an additional $50,000 scholarship grant for mature students during this period.

The University also received two gifts totaling $175,000 from the Booth Ferris Foundation in support of the Academic Community Impact Program at TESU.

The program provides the unique opportunity for students to work hands-on with a nonprofit organization throughout their course work, empowering them to lead and affect positive change while supporting the community.

Finally, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) awarded TESU $199,396 in scholarships for students enrolled in undergraduate nuclear degree programs in the Heavin School of Arts and Sciences. This is the fifth such award of scholarship support from the NRC since 2013.

We are grateful for the generous donor support that makes it possible for our students to continue to learn, impact their communities and fuel our region’s workforce.