Don R. Conklin H'94

Mr. Don R. Conklin is the retired president of Schering-Plough Worldwide Pharmaceutical Operations. Conklin first became involved with Kean in 1993, when he served as honorary chairman of the University’s capital campaign for what is now the Nancy Thompson Library. He has since taken on a very active and philanthropic role with the Foundation Board of Directors, recently making an extremely generous $1 million donation to Transforming Lives: the Campaign for Kean University.

A Union, N.J. native and Basking Ridge resident, Conklin believes that Kean University provides an opportunity for self-advancement to many thousands of students. Besides his recent donation to Transforming Lives, he has established a scholarship for the undergraduate students at the institution. Additionally, as chair of the Kean University New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (NJCSTME), he has been instrumental in helping the flourishing center advance in its mission of training the state's next generation of forerunners in science, mathematics, technology and education. In recognition of his support, Conklin was presented with an honorary degree at Kean's Commencement ceremonies in 1994, and was the honoree at the Ninth Annual Kean University Gala in 2006.

Henry and Agnes Truzack

In life, the late Henry and Agnes Truzack cherished music almost as much as they cherished one another. Posthumously, the Elizabeth, New Jersey natives have established a legacy of generosity that will be appreciated by deserving Kean University music students for years to come. The Henry S. and Agnes M. Truzack Foundation Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate music majors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. It is the hope of the Henry S. & Agnes M. Truzack Foundation, that recipients of this scholarship will foster a lifetime devotion to music, much like the one upheld by their benefactors.

Henry and Agnes Truzack both developed a love of music at an early age. Agnes expressed interest in playing the piano and Henry enjoyed the violin. However, particularly in Henry’s case, financial burdens did not allow for any formal training.

The two found one another shortly before Henry, a draftsman for Singer, a sewing machine manufacturer, went to serve in World War II and Agnes began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Linden, New Jersey school system. In addition to teaching, she also frequently accompanied on the piano for school plays and performances. Upon Henry’s return, the couple married and settled in Union, only a few miles from the current location of the Kean campus. While Agnes continued teaching and playing the piano in Linden, Henry took violin lessons and went on to perform in both the Montclair Symphony and the Summit Symphony.

Johnny and Damaryz Vazquez

The daughter of Cuban immigrants Johnny and Damaryz Vazquez, Damarita Vazquez '98 never gave anything but her best. Whether it was in her academic career at Kean, family life, or her career as an elementary school teacher, the Vazquez’ only child knew nothing but success. When Damarita graduated from Kean in 1998 with her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, her proud parents were present. “She studied hard and promised to work for her education no matter what it took, and I knew on that day, that she accomplished what she wanted to do, and she finally made it,” said Damaryz.

In 2004, Damarita sadly succumbed to lupus, the illness she had fought for virtually her entire life at the tragically young age of 38. However, her parents, with the assistance of a few close friends and many benefactors from the Kean community, pledged to honor her memory by establishing a $25,000 endowed memorial scholarship in her name.

“An education is the one thing that nobody can take from you,” advised Damaryz. “Damarita knew this, she studied hard and became a wonderful person. If she can do it, you can do it, anybody can do it.”

Ruth Rhoda Socol Horowitz '30 H'84

Throughout her distinguished life, the late Ruth Rhoda Socol Horowitz ’30 H’84 genuinely cherished Kean University. She was always more than delighted to trumpet everything that her alma mater (then known as Newark Normal School) brought her: a college diploma, an honorary doctorate and, most importantly, a highly successful and rewarding career in education that exceeded 50 years. In addition to her kind words, Ruth had an extremely generous heart, which led her to make multiple major gifts and contributions to Kean over the years – the most significant of which has been revealed in the recent months since her 2005 passing.

The “Grande Dame of Kean University,” as she has come to be known, left half of her estate totaling approximately $2 million to the Foundation and the Alumni Association, both of which are within the Division of Institutional Advancement. Foundation President Doug Nelson is grateful for the donation.

Prior to her estate donation, Horowitz also established a scholarship in the name of herself and her late husband, Leon; and contributed to having both the University’s alumni house as well as a lecture hall named in her honor. The Ruth Horowitz Alumni House serves as home to the Alumni Association, as well as a conference and banquet hall. The lecture facility is fittingly located in e of the University’s College of Education.

Jim Hynes '63

Since graduation from Kean University in 1963 when it was known as Newark State College, Jim has been active in the chemical and plastics industry, beginning with Dow Chemical and Shamrock Plastics. In 1986 he founded Churchill Plastics, a plastic recycling company specializing in post molding scrap reclamation.

Jim believes that Kean provided him with the opportunity to reach his potential. Participation in student government, sports, and fraternity life (Sigma Beta Tau) were catalysts that strengthened his bond to both the campus and to classmates who have become lifelong friends.

In 1997, he donated generously to establish an endowment in memory of Kean's first baseball coach, George Hudak. In 1999 he again made a generous donation to create a new baseball stadium that was named in his honor April, 2002.

He feels that successful graduates must maintain their allegiance to Kean, where they were given opportunities to succeed. He strongly believes that graduates must give back, and one of the best ways is through financial support.

Jim served as Chairman of the Kean University Foundation Board from 2004 through 2008.

Susan Kogan

Susan Kogan has the unique perspective of serving Kean University from both the standpoint of an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, and a volunteer, as she sits on the Foundation Board of Directors. Due to her recent gift in the amount of $50,000 to Transforming Lives: the Campaign for Kean University, Kogan can now add philanthropist to th list of contributions.

A former president and chief executive officer of the Schering-Plough Corporation and current principal of the KOGAN Group, LLC, Kogan has been linked with Kean for more than 20 years, in the areas of both academia and special programs. In addition to teaching mathematics, Kogan has taught chemistry and physics to Kean students. She cares a great deal about the University and believes that serving on en entity such as the Foundation Board will enrich her Kean experience and more importantly further support the students whom she educates.

She is presently secretary of The Grotta Foundation for Senior Citizens, which dispenses funds supporting projects involving senior well-being. She also serves as a trustee and committee chair at her Temple, and helps with the Mornings at The Newark Museum Program, which she initiated.

Lowell Harwood H'07

A product of New Jersey's schools, Kean University's first Trustee emeritus Lowell Harwood knows the benefit of public education.  From his modest beginnings in Jersey City, N.J., he went on to graduate from college and serve in the Korean War. He ultimately became chief executive officer and principal shareholder of Square Industries Inc., an $80-million public company located in Jersey City. 

Through the philanthropy of Harwood and his wife, Toby, Kean has recently been able to dedicate Harwood Arena. The structure is a state-of-the-art indoor health and recreation center that is among the best facilities of its kind in the entire region. During his address at the dedication, he said that he finds the most meaning through serving others. He discussed the rising costs of education, student loans and the difficulty many families have in securing a college education for their children.

Nancy (Muzyka) Schleicher '72

Nancy Schleicher '72 made a major impact upon her appointment to the Kean University Foundation Board, immediately making a gift of $100,000 to the Foundation. This donation continues the pattern of goodwill Schleicher has shown towards the University. The generosity of Nancy and her late husband, Allison Schleicher III, has had a tremendous impact on both the Foundation and the University as a whole.

An accomplished decorative artist, Nancy graduated from Kean with a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education. She is active in numerous professional and community organizations, including the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, Stencil Artisans League of America, Napa Valley AAUW and the Napa Valley Symphony League. She recently served as a commissioner on the Napa County Commission on the status of Women.

Al was a retired vice president of finance for the IBM Corporation's Global Sales and Distribution Group. A 1966 mechanical engineering graduate from Purdue University, Al served on the Dean's Advisory Council of Purdue's prestigious Kannert School of Management.