UNIVERSITYREPORT
late afternoon in the Recreation Center, 314 students were awarded master’s degrees. Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, majority leader of the New Jersey General Assembly, received an honorary doctor of laws degree “for her passionate advocacy for those who are in need and marginalized, and for her commitment to finding real and lasting solutions to persistent problems in the State.” Watson Coleman, the first African American woman to serve as majority leader, and the first woman to hold the position since 1964, encouraged the students to participate in public service. “No amount of public service is insignificant,” she said. “Anything you do in service to another, your community, or your country will carry with it a positive impact that will spread outwards, positively affecting other people, and hopefully, spurring them into action.”
William Paterson University Foundation Raises More Than $200,000 at Annual Legacy Award Gala The William Paterson University Foundation raised more than $200,000 at the Foundation’s nineteenth annual Legacy Award Gala and Silent Auction held on April 25 at The Villa at Mountain Lakes. The annual event raises funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence. Recipients of this year’s Legacy Award were Frederick Gruel, president and chief executive officer of AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, and Coca-Cola Enterprises, one of the country’s premier beverage companies. Gerry Cottrell ’78, vice president
FACULTY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT CHO KIN LEUNG (SECOND FROM LEFT) WITH DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS (LEFT TO RIGHT) ALFRED W. PIAGET ’57, ED.D.; MARILYN DANIELS ’79, M.A. ’80, PH.D.; CAROL J. OSSI ’74; LESLIE D. HIRSCH ’74; AND ROBERT D. VANLANGEN ’75
for finance, accepted the award on behalf of Coca-Cola Enterprises. The event also included the presentation of the University’s Distinguished Alumni Awards and Faculty Service Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented by the William Paterson Alumni Association to outstanding University alumni in recognition of significant achievement. The 2009 recipients were: Marilyn Daniels ’79, M.A. ’80, Ph.D., professor, communication arts and sciences, Pennsylvania State University; Leslie D. Hirsch ’74, president and chief executive officer, Saint Clare’s Health System; Carol J. Ossi ’74, executive director, Accredited Health Services (retired); Alfred W. Piaget ’57, Ed.D., founder and director, Benway School (retired); and Robert D. VanLangen ’75, managing director and chief financial officer, Lynch, Jones & Ryan Inc. (retired).
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The Alumni Association Faculty Service Award is given to faculty members nominated by William Paterson alumni in recognition of demonstrated career achievement and commitment to the University. This year’s recipient is Cho Kin Leung, Ph.D., retired professor of economics, finance, and global business. “Support for the Legacy program provides scholarships and other critical resources that help us,” says President Arnold Speert. “But the impact goes even deeper. Funds raised by the Legacy Gala help to provide the support and experiences that advance our students on the path to successful careers and lives. We greatly appreciate the participation of our many partners.” “Funds raised by the Legacy Award Gala are an investment in promoting student success through scholarships and academic resources,” says Sandra S. Deller, vice president for institutional advancement and president of the William Paterson University Foundation. “Now, more than ever, students need access to a high-quality education, New Jersey needs educated citizens, and New Jersey businesses need an educated workforce.”
University Receives Four Grants For Teacher Preparation
LEGACY AWARD HONOREES FREDERICK GRUEL (FAR LEFT), PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AAA NEW JERSEY AUTOMOBILE CLUB AND A MEMBER OF THE WILLIAM PATERSON BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND GERRY COTTRELL ’78 (SECOND FROM RIGHT), VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE, COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, WHO ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF COCA-COLA, WITH PRESIDENT ARNOLD SPEERT AND SANDRA DELLER, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
William Paterson’s College of Science and Health and College of Education are partners in two grant projects designed to improve the teaching of math and science in urban schools, particularly the Paterson and Passaic school districts. An additional $3 million federal grant will help to address critical