Friends @ 50

Ramapo College of New Jersey

FRIENDS @ 50

A HISTORY OF THE FRIENDS OF RAMAPO 1973 - 2023

DEDICATION

“To people willing to work for a great cause – higher education – helping generations of students and building community: with heartfelt gratitude, this document is dedicated to the Friends of Ramapo, past, present and future.”

—

CINDY R.

JEBB President Ramapo College of New Jersey

— ROBIN N. KELLER ’98, ’02, ’07 President Friends of Ramapo

INTRODUCTION

It is the 50th Anniversary of the Friends of Ramapo! 50 years is a long time for an organization to be in existence. This story explores how the Friends of Ramapo came into being, its purpose and where the organization hopes to go. It also looks back in history at the many contributions of this organization.

The Friends of Ramapo uniquely filled a much needed role at Ramapo College. Those who volunteered as members and Board Members had a chance to make an impact and enjoy a very special relationship with the College. This valued connection is alive and well today. Past participants speak of the joy of their association with the College, and current Friends of Ramapo are taking this moment to share pride in helping to make a difference.

Long live Friends of Ramapo, Happy 50th Anniversary!

HOW FRIENDS OF RAMAPO BEGAN

Ramapo College of New Jersey opened its doors in the fall of 1971 with almost 1,200 students and in 1973 held its first graduation with a class of 125. Thomas E. Finnegan, Development Assistant to the President, felt it would be beneficial to both the College and the surrounding communities to share in and support the young and growing College. Ramapo President George T. Potter encouraged Tom to pursue this idea.

“An organization promoting interaction between the College and the community will be to the benefit of all,” said President Potter.

Students needed places to live and the ability to get work locally. Reaching out to local businessmen, community leaders and townspeople, a group of 30 early supporters joined together to form the Friends of Ramapo in October 1973. William F. Dator became the Founding President of the organization and Estelle Rogel, Assistant to President Potter, served as the College liaison.

“The Friends were a “grass roots” group of local townspeople who rolled up their sleeves and encouraged others to work whatever challenges were facing the College.”

— WILLIAM F. DATOR Past Chair of The Board of Governors and Past Chair Board of Trustees, Trustee, 1973 - today

Left to right: Friends of Ramapo President Bill Dator presents President Potter with a check for scholarships circa 1978.

THE 1973 LANDSCAPE:

» Richard Nixon is President

» US population is 212 million

» Paris Peace Accords signed

» Women allowed to serve on juries in all 50 states

» Average price for regular gasoline in the US is $0.39 a gallon

» Minimum NJ state wage is $1.50/hour

» GM, Ford & Chrysler lay off 100,000 workers

» First ever cell phone call made

THE 2023 LANDSCAPE:

» Joe Biden is President

» US population is 335 million

» COVID-19 public health emergency officially ends

» Four women serve on the US Supreme Court

» Average price for regular gasoline in the US is $3.49 a gallon

» Minimum NJ state wage is $14.13/hour

» Electric vehicle sales are on the rise

» 2.9 billion cell phone calls made daily in the US

MISSION

The original mission of the Friends of Ramapo has never changed – to expand communications and foster a greater understanding between the College and neighboring communities by sharing the College’s cultural and educational resources, while raising scholarship money. The group is governed by a Board of Directors who meet periodically with a College liaison. They plan events, share successes and discuss how best to support the College’s strategic goals.

The benefits of membership in the Friends of Ramapo are many. All members are encouraged to attend lectures, films, concerts, as well as other events and, to take advantage of the many resources in the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. They also receive a parking pass and the Ramapo College magazine all for a modest membership fee. At the Friends Plus higher membership fee levels, members can also enjoy auditing classes and use of the gym, including the pool.

While the fees from memberships go to fund scholarships, the Friends also hold events to provide additional support. In the early days, these events included antique and flea markets, the Volvo Women’s Tennis Tournament Ramapo Raffle, concerts, and art auctions. The Friends also support the College’s fundraising dinners and golf outings, and importantly, the College’s Annual Fund appeal.

“The Friends have traditionally served as a link between the College and the Community, and we at the College are grateful for their support and encouragement.”

—

DR. GEORGE T. POTTER President, 1969 – 1985

CONTRIBUTIONS Building Community Relations

Early Friends of Ramapo members hailed from 14 local towns, engaging the widest support from surrounding communities. Over the last 50 years, Friends helped sponsor a variety of enriching events to bring local residents onto College grounds. These included: a ragtime piano evening, classical music performances, film and lecture series, and student productions. The Friends also share sponsorship for the well-received Summer Concert Series.

In the mid-1970s, the Friends helped coordinate the annual Antique and Flea Markets Fair that brought thousands of people onto the campus grounds to bargain with over 100 dealers and food vendors. These events were very successful for both building community relations and fundraising for student scholarships.

The Friends of Ramapo sponsored several art auctions beginning in 1983. A major auction was held in 2004 in which 43 artists from Northern New Jersey donated their work. Among the participating artists was Professor Thomas E. Franklin, a Ramapo College Adjunct and contributing photographer at The Bergen Record, who donated a signed copy of his iconic photo, “Heroes,” of firemen raising the flag on the rubble of the World Trade Center Towers on September 11th. This auction raised $10,000 for the College.

In 2006, the art auction was combined with a cabaret act and featured President Peter P. Mercer officiating as auctioneer raising $6,000 for scholarships.

Top, left to right: Thomas Palmer, Past Chair Ramapo College Board of Governors; Frances D. Meyer, winner of “Heroes,” Helen Thayer, President of Friends of Ramapo, May, 2004.

Bottom, left to right: Friends of Ramapo Board Members Dee Van Saders and Becky Kraus enjoying dessert with President Peter P. Mercer at auction.

2007 Historical Tour

“A Step Back in Time”

Left to right: Front rowLinda Dator, Frank Rodriguez, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Tom Dunn

Back row - Bob Cella, Gus Vasiliadis, Stan Richmond

Although Ramapo College is one of the more recent additions to the New Jersey higher education system, it has long historical ties to the community. Thomas W. Dunn, Past Chair of both the Ramapo College Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, shared his historical expertise with the Friends of Ramapo and community members. His “A Step Back in Time” lecture and tour of the Birch Mansion in 2007 provided a fun and educational perspective on the history of the Mansion and the generosity of the Birch Family. Following the event, then President Mercer hosted a reception at Havemeyer House.

2014

Professor Emeritus Judith Peck, Ed.D., center, surrounded by Friends of Ramapo and members of the community.

A very popular series of events are Ramapo Art Gallery tours. These occasions offer guests the chance to hear the artists discuss their work and speak with them during the dessert or wine and cheese receptions that followed. These included showings by Ramapo College Professor Emeritus Warner Wada’s, Ph.D., Angor Wat photo series and Professor Emeritus Judith Peck’s, Ed.D., sculpture show “Empathy,” and the extensive Haitian art collection, always well supported by Sydney Jenkins, Gallery Director.

Spring Sculpture Show “Empathy”

The Friends also sponsor and support environmental events. In 2008, the group hosted “A Night with the Stars” at the Meadowlands Environmental Center featuring lectures by several Ramapo College faculty. After dinner, attendees had an opportunity to use a giant telescope to observe the stars. In 2010, the newly built Sharp Sustainability Education Center was the site of another Friends’ hosted event to raise awareness about emerging environmental concerns.

For more than a decade, the Friends have partnered with Lisa Lutter, Ph.D., and the Ramapo Choral and Ensembles. Lisa and her singers often perform in unique local venues connecting with the community during these special musical events.

The Friends have also supported attendance and held receptions at several student theater productions all for the benefit of bringing the community onto campus to showcase the College’s programs and provide the opportunity to meet with the student performers.

“Friends of Ramapo has been a truly vibrant and meaningful part of CantaNOVA and the Ramapo College Choral Program. The annual Friends of Ramapo concert not only raises funds for student scholarships, but also inspires our singers to value and give their best in service of community.”

— LISA LUTTER, PH.D.

Associate Professor of Vocal Music Performance School of Contemporary Arts - 2005 to Present

2012 Spring Ramapo Concert conducted by Lisa Lutter, Ph.D., to raise Friends of Ramapo scholarship funds.

“I feel gratitude for my relationship with the Friends of Ramapo. Any effort I put into the organization makes me feel good and refreshed, like I am part of something larger and meaningful.”

— NICOLE CICALO-DECARO

Head Coach Bergen Barracudas, 2011 - Present

Another important community relationship that the Friends established is with the Bergen Barracudas swim team families. When Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro became Head Coach in 2011, she took the opportunity to suggest to the Bergen Barracudas Board of Directors that the parents join the Friends of Ramapo and officially become part of the College community. Nicole also joined the Friends Board and served in several leadership roles, including President. As members of the Friends, the swimmers’ parents have access to the College’s dining facilities, the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons and parking permits.

The Friends have sponsored many events for the Bergen Barracudas swimmers and their families. These memorable events have covered a broad range of topics that took advantage of the many resources available at the College with faculty, staff and Board Members sharing their expertise and talents:

» Brazilian drumming

» Create your own comic book

» Practice of mindfulness

» Introduction to financial literacy

» College admissions process

» Nutrition for athletes

» Stress management

All of these shared experiences helped to build relationships as well as extend and strengthen the reach of Ramapo College within our local communities. The Bergen Barracudas becoming part of the Friends is a concrete example of how being community conscious proved to be beneficial for both the community and the College.

Nicole CicaloDeCaro, Head Coach and Bergen Barracuda Swimmers at the Adele and Reuben Thomas Pool at Ramapo College.

CONTRIBUTIONS Financial Support

From the very beginning of the organization in the fall of 1973, the Friends of Ramapo were dedicated to providing financial support to the College and its students.

Friends donated to the Ramapo College childcare center, maintenance of the tennis courts, refurbishment of the York Room as well as several offices within the Birch Mansion, the purchase of art prints for the College Gallery collection, and to the improvements in the Lodge Dormitory. Friends provided significant financial support for the building of the Bradley Center, as well as the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts.

Most recently the Friends of Ramapo contributed $100,000 to the building of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons, which was opened in 2021.

On the second floor of the Learning Commons is a spacious student computer work center dedicated to the Friends of Ramapo

“The Friends always said yes to whatever was asked.”

— CATHY DAVEY

Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Ramapo College 1993 - 2020

CONTRIBUTIONS Scholarships

In 1975, the Friends began awarding scholarships to eligible students and in the first year awarded over $3,000. The Friends established an endowment fund into which the membership fees and fundraising monies were deposited. The interest from the endowment fund was used to establish student scholarships.

A major fundraising activity starting in 1980 was the Ramapo Raffle held during the Women’s Tennis Tournaments. Dedicated Friends sold raffle tickets at local shopping centers and obtained numerous donated gifts, including the very generous donation of a car by Volvo in the early years of the tournament. These raffles raised over $10,000 per year, which was deposited into the endowment fund.

By 1985, the Friends’ endowment reached $100,000 and was the largest single endowment at Ramapo College. The Friends continued to increase the number of scholarships and amounts awarded annually.

In 2012, the Friends began a second major endowment “Scholarship for the Arts” to award to graduating seniors from the School of Contemporary Arts, majoring in the visual arts, performing arts or music. This endowment was fully funded within one year of creation through membership fees, money raised at special events as well as generous contributions from Friends’ Board Members.

Through 2022, the Friends of Ramapo have awarded close to 350 scholarships valued at $500,000 to Ramapo College students.

Top left to right: Winner of Volvo Women’s Tennis Tournament Ramapo Raffle congratulated by Marina Topken, Friends of Ramapo, circa 1980

Bottom left to right: Joe Ippolito, Giselle Ruiz scholarship recipient, Mary Ippolito ’82 Friends of Ramapo Board Member, Patricia Guidice scholarship recipient at the 2019 Scholarship Dinner

CONTRIBUTIONS Significant Gifts

In addition to the donations the Friends of Ramapo gave as an organization, numerous members, particularly Board Members, made generous donations to the College including: endowed scholarships, deferred gift annuities, individual gifts to building funds, refurbishment of offices, creation of a science lab, support of The Gross Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, as well as numerous legacy gifts. Gifts of notable art work and the Steinway Grand Piano that currently graces the York Room in the Birch Mansion were personally donated by individuals that came to know the College through their membership in Friends of Ramapo. It is thought that the significant value of these personal gifts and donations over these past 50 years rivals the Friends’ formal scholarship dollars awarded.

In 1992, the Board of Trustees acknowledged the contributions made by the Friends of Ramapo by dedicating one of the College’s largest multi-purpose rooms to the Friends. The Building C, Student Center auditorium became “The Friends of Ramapo Hall.” When the motion to rename the room was brought before the Trustees, it was unanimously approved.

Top: 2023 photo of Gus Vasiliadis sitting at the Steinway Grand Piano he donated to Ramapo in 2016.

Bottom: Photo of “Friends Hall”

“From their philanthropic support to their classroom contributions, the Friends of Ramapo bring a richness of character to the Ramapo campus.”

— DR. PETER P. MERCER President, 2005 - 2021

The Friends of Ramapo membership is now over 225, up 650% from the original 30 members in the fall of 1973. The Friends Board Members are particularly active in the Ramapo College community. They continue to organize events for the membership, award multiple scholarships every year, support the Summer Concert Series and other fundraising events, serve on College-wide Boards, committees and panels, serve as student mentors, and engage in every aspect of Ramapo College life. Additionally, Board Members, representing the Friends, attend Convocations, Founder’s Day, Remembrance Day, Graduations, Groundbreaking ceremonies, and Presidential Inaugurations.

Today’s Friends members continue to enjoy all that Ramapo has to offer. One of the best benefits of a Friends Plus Membership is the ability to audit up to three courses per year tuition free. This great benefit promotes a culture of learning and exploration for Friends members. It is a fun and enriching way for those who may have been out of the classroom environment for many years to reengage themselves in academic life without having to enroll in a formal curriculum. It is the definition of a win-win situation, where Friends members benefit from attending classes and hearing the insights of an upcoming generation, while current matriculating students are exposed to a range of experiences and perspectives from adults returning to the classroom.

“Ramapo College is a vibrant place where Friends get to explore the arts, sciences, humanities, etc., while engaging with our talented and inspiring students, faculty and staff. From providing scholarship support, to attending special events, to sharing diverse perspectives in our classrooms, the Friends of Ramapo enrich the Roadrunner community in meaningful and memorable ways.”

— DR. CINDY R. JEBB President, 2021 - Present

Left to right: Jill Marsden, Peggy Capomaggi, Audrey Newman ’93, and Stan Richmond enjoy auditing a class.

TOMORROW

The College looks forward to continuing to partner with the Friends of Ramapo Board and its membership for the next 50 years. The Friends of Ramapo will continue to fulfill its role as ambassadors for the College within their local communities. Additionally, the Friends of Ramapo will further the goals of the College by supporting Ramapo’s strategic plans and continuing to build partnerships between the College and the community at the individual level, friend by friend. The Friends will look to promote and share all the benefits the College has to offer – using the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons and the Bradley Center, experiencing the art and music programs at the Berrie Center, auditing classes, and participating in the rich sharing of ideas and comradery enjoyed by Friends members.

Most importantly, the Friends of Ramapo will continue to support the College and its students financially through membership fees, fundraisers, scholarships, gifts, and endowments. The Friends of Ramapo are committed to the success of Ramapo College and its future graduates.

“The Friends of Ramapo have been the backbone of Ramapo College for 50 years. Their steady support of our students and programs have helped make dreams become realities for hundreds of Ramapo students. We look forward to the next 50 years together.”

— PETER W. RICE

Senior Director of Constituent Relations, 2019 - Present (formerly Director of Admissions 2008-2019)

2023 Recipient Friends of Ramapo Scholarship for the Arts

“I am grateful for the opportunities the Friends of Ramapo provide to students, and their encouragement of students pursuing their goals.”

— MEGAN WOODS ’23

FRIENDS@50 SCHOLARSHIP

To commemorate this historic occasion a new endowed scholarship “Friends@50” has been established. This new scholarship will honor the rich tradition of service demonstrated by the Friends of Ramapo and their work on behalf of the College by selecting a student that has actively displayed a commitment to community volunteerism. The award was established and endowed by a lead gift of $10,000 from the Bergen Barracudas Board of Directors and we look forward to building on this generous gift with additional contributions. This new scholarship enhances the Friends’ strong commitment to Ramapo College, solidifying their impact on Ramapo students for years to come.

“The Friends of Ramapo exemplify two of our core values: studentcenteredness and service. Their generosity, through commitments of their time, expertise and financial support, change student lives and make degree attainment possible. The Friends really are the fabric of our culture.”

— CHRISTOPHER ROMANO, ED.D. Vice President for Strategic Enrollment, Outreach & Engagement | Executive Director, RCNJ Foundation

Stan Richmond

FRIENDS OF RAMAPO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2010 Left to right: Seated: Tammy Marcus, Stan Richmond, Deborah Richin, Frank Rodriguez

Standing: Ellen O’Rourke, Mary Lyons-Kim, Jane Chenoweth, Mary Ippolito ’82, Nicole CicaloDeCaro, Audrey Newman ’93, Peter Fenzel, Margaret MullenGensch, Evelyn Slockbower

2013 Left to right: Front row: Jo Anne Zellers, Joanne Santoro, Jeff Dannhardt, Mary Lyons-Kim, Ellen O’Rourke, Doris Griffin, Mary Ippolito ’82 and Joe Ippolito, Audrey Newman ’93, John McKendry, Margaret Mullen-Gensch

Back row: Tammy Marcus, Stan Richmond, Cindy Loa

2014 Left to right: Seated: Angela Zapka, Audrey Newman ’93, Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro, Seyma Levine

Standing: Ellen O’Rourke, Frank Rodriguez, Peter Griffin, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Stan Richmond, Mary Ippolito ’82, John McKendry, Deborah Richin

FRIENDS OF RAMAPO BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

2015 Left to right: Seated: Frank Rodriguez, Audrey Newman ’93, Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro, Margaret Mullen-Gensch

Standing: John McKendry, Dee Van Saders, Ellen O’Rourke, Mary Ippolito ’82, Stan Richmond, Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Angela Zapka, Joanne Santoro, Peter Griffin

2017 Left to right: Seated: Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Ellen Singer, Audrey Newman ’93, Ellen O’Rourke, Stan Richmond, Peggy Capomaggi

Standing: Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, John McKendry, Mary Ippolito ’82, Evelyn Slockbower, Joe Ippolito

2018 Left to right: Seated: Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Peggy Capomaggi, Ellen O’Rourke, Gus Vasiliadis

Standing: Jane Chenoweth, John McKendry, Nicole CicaloDeCaro, Audrey Newman ’93, Angela Zapka, Stan Richmond, Elissa Nuremburg, Ellen Singer

FRIENDS OF RAMAPO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019 Friends Board & Guests at Holiday Party

Left to right: Seated: Ellen O’Rourke, Audrey Newman ’93, Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Peggy Capomaggi, President Peter P. Mercer, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, John McKendry

Standing: Peter Rice, Lisa Lutter, Ph.D., Elissa Nuremburg, Ellen Singer, Mary Ippolito ’82, Joe Ippolito, Ryan Greff, Cathy Davey, Al Gensch, Stan Richmond

2021 Friends Board & Guests at Holiday Party

Left to right: Seated: Kathleen Cronin, Linda Dator, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro, Mary Ippolito ’82, Elissa Nuremburg

Standing: Peter Rice, Patrick Chang, Stan Richmond, Bill Dator, Al Gensch, Tom Dunn, Joe Ippolito, Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Peggy Capomaggi, Ellen Singer, Barbara LaRobardier

2023 Left to right: Seated: Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Peggy Capomaggi, Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Mary Ippolito ’82, Kathleen Cronin

Standing: Peter Rice, Audrey Newman ’93, Nicole CicaloDeCaro, Janet May, Natalie Barr, Stan Richmond

FRIENDS AT EVENTS

1. 2008 “Night of Stars” Event

Left to right: Linda and Phil Cennarazzo with Linda’s Mother Judy Webster

2. Circa 1980 Volvo Women’s Tennis Tournament Ramapo Raffle

Left to right: Bill and Marina Topken, President Potter and Friends

3. 2011 Distinguished Citizens Dinner

Left to right: Al Gensch, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Frank and Judy Rodriguez

4. 2011 CantaNOVA conducted by Lisa Lutter, Ph.D., in Honor of the 10th Anniversary of September 11th

FRIENDS AT EVENTS

1. 2013 Spring Choral Event

Left to right: Seated: Joanne Santoro, Judy and Frank Rodriguez

Standing: Stan Richmond, Lisa Lutter, Ph.D., Mary Lyons-Kim, Itay Goren, Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Gus Vasiliadis, Ellen O’Rourke

2. 2016 Board Appreciation Summer Picnic

Left to right: Audrey Newman’93 and Ellen O’Rourke

3. 2018 Friends Celebrate Retirement of Jo Anne Zellers, Senior Director of Constituent Relations

4. 2019 The Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons Groundbreaking

Left to right: John McKendry, President Peter P. Mercer, Stan Richmond, Audrey Newman’93, Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Peggy Capomaggi, Mary Ippolito’82, Ryan Greff, Eileen Comerford ’80

5. 2019 West Point Trip with Alumni and Friends

Left to right: Front row: Al Gensch and Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Second row: Bob and Peggy Capomaggi, Charlie and Kathy Christie, Third row: Dr. Jackie Ehlert-Mercer, Cathy Davey

FRIENDS AT EVENTS

1. Summer Concert Series at the Bandshell

2. 2022 Spring Concert, Dessert Reception

Left to right: Foreground: Joe Ippolito, Mary Ippolito ’82, Christie and Peter Rice

3. 2022 Spring Concert in the York Room, The Mansion

Left to right: Stan Richmond, Kathleen Cronin, Peter Rice

4. 2022 Summer Concert Series

Left to right: Janet May, Stan Richmond, Kathleen Cronin

FRIENDS AT EVENTS

2023 CantaNOVA/ West Point Glee Club Concert at West Point

Left to right: Front Row: Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Bob Capomaggi, Peggy Capomaggi, President Cindy R. Jebb Back row: Matt Keller, Al Gensch, Louise Tucciarone, Dr. Joel Jebb, Peter Rice, Rick Brown

2022 Presidential Inauguration of Cindy R. Jebb

Left to right: Audrey Newman ’93, Margaret Mullen–Gensch, Al Gensch, Peggy and Bob Capomaggi

BERGEN BARRACUDA EVENTS

1. 2023 Stress Management Event

2. 2017 Mindfulness Event

3. 2014 Brazilian Drumming Event

4. 2015 Create Your Own Comic Book Event

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With Gratitude to:

BERGEN BARRACUDAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RAMAPO COLLEGE

Elizabeth Brand – Scholarship and Grants Specialist

Lies Chartier – Director of Prospect Research

Janelle Ferraro ’14 – Senior Graphic Designer

Carolyn Herring – College Photographer

Cindy R. Jebb – President

Susan Kurzmann – Archivist, Reference & Instructional Librarian

Lisa Lutter – Associate Professor of Vocal Music Performance

Peter W. Rice – Senior Director of Constituent Relations

Christopher Romano – Vice President for Strategic Enrollment, Outreach & Engagement/ Executive Director for RCNJ Foundation

Roseann Toscano – Chief Financial Officer for RCNJ Foundation, Institutional Advancement Controller

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FRIENDS OF RAMAPO - 2023-2024:

Officers:

President, Robin N. Keller ’98, ’02, ’07

Vice President, Peggy Capomaggi

Secretary, Nicole Cicalo-DeCaro

Chairs:

Membership Committee, Stan Richmond and Ellen Singer

Nominating Committee, Audrey Newman ’93

Program Committee, Margaret Mullen-Gensch

Members:

Natalie Barr, Student Representative

Aaron Block

Kathleen Cronin

Mary Ippolito ’82

Constituent Relations:

Peter W. Rice

Barbara LaRobardier

Janet May

Elissa Nuremburg

Louise Tucciarone

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

Kathe Carson – Director of Communications, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Wyckoff, NJ

William F. Dator – Ramapo College Trustee

Cathleen Davey – President, Holy Name Foundation, and Vice President, Institutional Advancement Ramapo College (Retired, Ramapo)

Thomas W. Dunn – Ramapo College Foundation, Board of Governors

Mark Singer – Director of Financial Aid (Retired, Ramapo)

Marina Topken ’87 and Bill Topken – Friends of Ramapo

Jo Anne Zellers – Senior Director of Constituent Relations (Retired, Ramapo)

REFERENCES SOURCES:

The Bergen Records Archives 1971 – 2022

Ramapo College Student Newspapers 1973 - 2022

Ramapo College Administration Bulletins and Newsletters 1971 – 1999

Ramapo College Magazine 2000 – 2022

Ramapo College of New Jersey, The First Quarter Century 1971 – 1996, by Henry Bischoff

RESOURCES

www.ramapo.edu/foundation/friends

FRIENDS@50 PLANNING COMMITTEE

A WORD FROM THE AUTHORS

It has been an honor and pleasure to research and write the 50 year history of the Friends of Ramapo.

Being members and Board Members of the Friends of Ramapo, we have experienced firsthand the commitment and contributions of the Friends as well as the workings of a successful partnership with Ramapo College. To learn that this spirit existed from the beginning of the organization in word and deed resonated with us and truly made us proud to belong to the Friends.

We have tried to highlight those shining moments over the last 50 years that have made the history of the Friends so memorable. We also note and look forward to the commitment of Ramapo College and the Friends of Ramapo to continue their successful partnership for the benefit of the students, the College and community.

Thank you again to all who participated in this journey with us.

Long live Friends of Ramapo, Happy 50th Anniversary!

—

MARGARET MULLEN-GENSCH — PEGGY CAPOMAGGI

Left to right: Seated: Peggy Capomaggi, Peter Rice Standing: Robin Keller ’98, ’02, ’07, Margaret Mullen-Gensch