NJCU To Honor Three Visionary Leaders At American Dream Gala On Ellis Island
JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Call them the dream achievers.
Three titans of industry, philanthropy, and commerce in New Jersey will be honored at New Jersey City University's American Dream Gala on Thursday, June 5, 2014 in the Great Hall on Ellis Island, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Leading the roster of visionary leaders to be recognized is former Congressman Frank J. Guarini '93 (HON.), who will receive the NJCU Lifetime Leadership Award for Public Service.
A Jersey City native, Mr. Guarini is an attorney, a decorated World War II veteran, a developer who helped transform and add luster to Hudson County's "Gold Coast," and a philanthropist whose generosity is legendary.
Passionate about higher education, Mr. Guarini helped establish several initiatives and programs at NJCU, including the Congressman Frank J. Guarini Library, the Caroline L. Guarini Department of Music, Dance and Theatre, the Peter G. Magnin Real Estate Institute, and the Frank J. Guarini Leadership Award.
Mr. Guarini saw active combat in the Pacific Theater and received the Naval Commendation Medal and three Battle Stars.
Mr. Guarini's extensive public service to Hudson County, the State of New Jersey, and the nation spans more than six decades. First elected to represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District (Hudson County) in 1978, he served in the House of Representatives continuously to 1993. He had served in the New Jersey State Senate from 1965 through 1972 and is credited with advocating and writing stringent environmental protection laws during his years in the New Jersey Senate.
Widely recognized as an authority on international trade, domestic budget matters, and narcotics control, Congressman Guarini has been active in civic affairs and in numerous professional and community service organizations in his hometown, Jersey City, and around the world. Since his retirement from Congress, he has been a key figure in the revitalization of Jersey City.
NJCU awarded Mr. Guarini an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in 1993.
Chirag Patel '89, co-CEO, chairman, and co-founder of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, will receive the NJCU Alumnus of Distinction Award.
Mr. Patel, who emigrated from India to the U.S. as a young man, co-founded his Bridgewater-based company with his brother, Chintu, in 2002. The company is now the sixth largest generic pharmaceutical company in the nation.
In 2011, the Patel brothers were named the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Life Sciences Award winners, one of the nation's most prestigious awards for entrepreneurs.
Carlos Rodriguez, president and CEO of ADP, will be honored with the NJCU Corporate Citizen Award. Mr. Rodriguez was appointed president and CEO of ADP in November 2011, only the sixth CEO in the company's history. A son of Cuban immigrants, Mr. Rodriguez is a strong supporter of higher education and through the ADP Foundation, has championed the expansion of higher education scholarships to deserving students who could otherwise not afford to pursue a college degree. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its focus on corporate social responsibility and diversity with initiatives that promote community engagement like the President's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility and strategic partnerships with organizations like Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) and Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS).
"We are thrilled to honor these three high-powered leaders at our Gala," Dr. Sue Henderson, NJCU president, said. "All three are testaments to what hard work and vision can accomplish. They put a high value on education and have worked tirelessly to help others achieve their own American dreams," she added.
The American Dream Gala will benefit scholarship funds at NJCU, a four-year, state university with a student population of more than 8,400 undergraduate and graduate students. Although undergraduate in-state tuition remains among the lowest in New Jersey, 85 percent of full-time undergraduates qualify for some type of need-based financial aid. Some 54 nations are represented in the student body.
Founded as a teacher's college in 1929, NJCU now offers 42 undergraduate degree programs, 27 master's degree programs, and two doctoral programs. In addition to its Main Campus in Jersey City, NJCU operates two off-campus sites—NJCU at Harborside in Jersey City's financial district and NJCU at Brookdale in Wall Township.
Leaders in the fields of business and industry, education, public service, and the non-profit community will be among the guests celebrating the three honorees at the American Dream Gala.
For further information about NJCU's American Dream Gala call 201-200-3250 or visit www.njcu.edu/americandreamgala2014.
Contact:
Ellen Wayman-Gordon
Assistant Vice President for University Advancement-
Public Information and Community Relations
V:201-200-3426 | F:201-200-2168
[email protected]
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SOURCE NJCU
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