Alumni News
FDU President Michael Avaltroni, left, alongside alumnus Greg Olsen and his daughter Krista, at the dedication of the Greg Olsen Student Union. (Photo: Bill Blanchard)
Celebrating a Legacy with Student Union Dedication
Students, faculty, staff, administrators, donors and friends gathered at the Metropolitan Campus on November 30 to dedicate one of its most important gathering spaces — the Greg Olsen Student Union.
New signage and a plaque honor Olsen, BS’66, BS’68, MS’68 (Metro), who is FDU’s largest benefactor — with more than $10 million of lifetime giving — as well as a member of the Board of Trustees.
“Greg is the embodiment of the fact that FDU gives opportunities to students who aren’t sure where they are going, where they are heading. Often they come here, and they explore, and they find their paths,” said President Michael Avaltroni. “I can think of no greater mission and no greater impact for a University than to have that as its legacy. And I can think of no greater example of that legacy than Greg.” Olsen attended the event with his daughter Krista, both pictured above with Avaltroni.
Olsen, a scientist, inventor, venture capitalist, entrepreneur and civilian space traveler, credits FDU for giving him the chance to succeed. “‘How does a guy who failed trig in high school wind up with a Ph.D. in materials science?’ The short answer is FDU,” he says. “FDU is a place for second chances, a place for opportunity.”
Avaltroni told Olsen, “Thank you for your generosity, thank you for your impact, and thank you for the pride you bring to FDU.”
From left, Juliann Nutaitis, BS’86 (Ruth), and Jodi Cinque, BS’86 (Ruth).
FDU’s original campus occupies a special place in the heart of the University and its alumni. The Rutherford Campus Alumni Chapter maintains the bonds and friendships that were formed on campus through an annual alumni reunion. Eighty alumni attended the reception on October 20 at Mario’s Restaurant in Clifton, N.J.
Members of the FDU Knights ice hockey team, based on the Rutherford Campus in the 1970s, reunited in Philadelphia, Pa., at a Flyers game. James Doyle, AA’77, BS’79 (Metro), who organized the event, is a member of the Flyers off-ice crew, and is the Atlantic District referee-in-chief for USA Hockey. He represented the U.S. in the World Ice Hockey Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in 1982 and worked the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Kenneth Reinhard BS’77 (Ruth), is referee-in-chief for the Rocky Mountain District of USA Hockey. John DeCarlo, BS’78 (Metro), has more than 40 years with the NHL. They were joined by the FDU team’s head coach Timothy Cullen.
Approximately 50 Wroxton College alumni and friends gathered at the Florham Campus to celebrate and reconnect. The event featured a live auction hosted by Wroxton Advisory Committee chairman Kenneth Malagiere, BA’05 (Metro), who attended Wroxton College in Fall 2003.
In October, the Office of Alumni Relations hosted a reception at the Monarch Rooftop Lounge in New York City. About 40 alumni enjoyed panoramic views of the city and skyline views at sunset, as they chatted, networked, and socialized. Pictured, Lorren Cargill, BA’06 (Flor), Jasmine Mathai, BS’23 (Flor), and Kwin Javelosa, BS’21, MS’22 (Flor).
This year’s Hall of Fame honorees were: Neil Goldmacher, BS’85 (Ruth), chair of national tenant representation for the Newmark Group; Rita Karachun, BS’85 (Metro), senior VP of finance-global controller at Merck and Co. Inc.; Alvin Lustgarten, MBA’82 (Metro), senior VP of technology and information services at Hearst Television; and Lester Owens, MBA’81 (Ruth), senior executive VP and former head of operations of Wells Fargo, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
On a bright, sunny September day, hundreds of alumni and parents arrived at the Florham Campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend. The day included sporting events, food trucks, tailgating, and memory-making. Clad in their FDU gear, the community came together to cheer on athletics and show their school spirit!
The Office of Alumni Relations hosted a trip to Portugal from November 11 to 20, with visits to Lisbon, Cascais and the Algarve region. Pictured here are, standing from left, Jenna Appello, BS’16 (Metro); Debra Jones, MS’95 (Metro), past president of the Alumni Association Board of Governors and a Gildart Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering board member; Lori Lee Dickson, BA’82 (Flor), past president and emeritus member of the Alumni Association Board of Governors; Laura Reynolds, MBA’08 (Metro), FDU executive director of alumni engagement and special events; and Carol Schieding, BS’78 (Flor); and, seated, Laurie Reynolds, BS’86 (Metro). Upcoming trips are to the Pacific Northwest and California in June 2024 and Greece in October 2024. Find out more at support.fdu.edu.