Reception Honors Newcombe Foundation and Scholars
March 11, 2010

The Kean University Office of Scholarship Services, Division of Institutional Advancement, hosted a dessert reception honoring the donors and recipients of the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship for Mature Women.

Awarded to female undergraduate students aged 25 and over, Newcombe Scholars must have at least 60 college credits and a 2.5 grade point average. In many cases, awardees also demonstrate the need for financial support of their education.

For more information about scholarships, contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu. 

Fiddle Foundation Grant to Serve Students with Autism
February 28, 2010

Kean University recently received the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Community Seed Grant in support of Project Excel, an ongoing initiative that assists students with learning disabilities. The program is a perfect fit for the Foundation and its mission, which develops, supports and advocates programs that enrich the lives of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The grant totals $2,000, and will go toward further enhancing Project Excel in the area of providing special attention to Kean students with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. It is the goal of the program to progressively remove these students from a structured support environment, and allow them to achieve an independent acceptance of responsibility, in terms of their education and ultimately their lives as a whole.

For more information about scholarships, contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

Fraternity Celebrates Founder and Donates Scholarships
January 18, 2010

When alumnus Gus Garcia ’80 (right) was a student at Kean University (then Kean College), he was one of the most involved and active members of his class, from both a social and political standpoint. While the Cuban-born businessman enjoyed many successes during his college days, his self-proclaimed biggest achievement came early-on during his freshman year, when he founded Lambda Theta Phi, the first national Latino fraternity, which celebrated its 35th anniversary with a recent reception on the University’s main campus.

The reception was attended by more than 60 brothers and dignitaries  including U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (second from right); fraternity brothers from throughout the region. During the reception, Garcia, who also serves as founder and president of Floirda-based civil rights organization Garcorp International, announced the fraternity’s funding of three scholarships for deserving Kean students.

For more information about scholarships, contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.  

Scholarship Ceremony Honors Excellence
November 5, 2009

The 2009 Kean University Scholars Recognition Ceremony brought together nearly 800 donors, scholars, families and friends on Sunday, October 25 in Harwood Arena. Approximately 325 scholarship recipients were honored for their outstanding academic achievements, and nearly 100 donors were there to congratulate them in person.

For more information about scholarships, contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

Curtain Rises on Enlow Recital Hall
October 5, 2009

More than 300 special guests were in attendance to celebrate the grand opening of Gene and Shelley Enlow Recital Hall, located in the Nathan Weiss Graduate College on the East Campus of Kean University. An elegant reception and ceremony culminated with a stellar performance by world-renowned pianist and singer Michael Feinstein. Following the show, attendees were treated to a post-concert dessert reception. The Enlows, who have been married for more than 44 years, received a standing ovation during the concert, when they were acknowledged for their major leadership gift.

To learn more about donating to the arts at Kean, please call the Foundation at (908) 737-3340 or email kuf@kean.edu.

Tenth Annual Golf Classic a Hole in One
September 23, 2009

Held once again at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J., The Tenth Annual Kean University Golf Classic was a rousing success. More than 150 golfers enjoyed a goergous day on the links, delicious food, course contests, a large silent auction, multiple raffles and plenty of giveaways. Participants were also treated to an evening awards ceremony and a program featuring poignant speeches from student scholarship recipients, documenting their success stories. Most importantly, the event brought in $157,000, which will go towards supporting the entire campus community.

To learn more about the Kean University Golf Classic, please call the Foundation at (908) 737-3340 or email kuf@kean.edu.

Retired Professor Names Gallery
June 21, 2009

The extraordinary talent and generosity of W. Carl Burger (center) is evident throughout Kean University. The retired fine arts professor’s vibrant artwork graces the walls of multiple campus buildings, and he is considered to be a creative legend by many students and colleagues, both past and present. Beyond all of this however, Burger’s most poignant and significant contribution to date is literally spelled out above the entrance to the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery, a lasting tribute to his parents which was made possible through a major philanthropic donation. The Gallery, which is located in the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success, honors the sacrifices that Carl’s parents endured in pursuing the American Dream for their family by leaving Germany in the 1920s and emigrating to New Jersey.

If you would like to learn more about the Lanes, or their gift, please contact Cynthia McChesney at (908) 737-3433 or email cmcchesn@kean.edu.

Alumna Makes $6 Million Gift
May 1, 2009

Maxine Lane ’78 is a self-described “people person,” who, along with her husband Oscar “Jack” Lane, has spent the better part of her life putting others ahead of herself through charity, volunteer work and philanthropy. The Lanes’ recent $6 million gift to Kean University is only the latest example of their generous nature, and the University has recognized this by dedicating the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success building to their legacy.

The CAS building is a perfect complement to Maxine, an advocate of education, scholarship donor and the mother of two, who began her academic career considerably later than most students, due to what she describes as a “calling from God.” Residents of Lake Kiowa, Texas for the past 30 years, the Lanes still fondly recall their time spent in New Jersey, during which Maxine worked with the Monmouth County, N.J. Welfare Board and Jack, a veteran of the United States Navy, worked in the oil industry.

If you would like to learn more about the Lanes, or their gift, please contact Connie Alexis-Laona at (908) 737-3436 or email calexis@kean.edu.

Wilf Donors & Scholars Recognized
March 23, 2009

A special reception was recently held in the University Center Blue Room honoring recipients of the Wilf Family Foundation Scholarship, as well as donors Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf. Each year a dozen deserving full-time students with a 3.0 GPA are granted the prestigious award.

If you would like to learn more about the Wilf Family Foundation Scholarship, please contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3481 or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

Lambert Scholarship Reception
February 3, 2009

The Kean University Foundation recently held a special reception honoring five undergraduate recipients of the Fritz and Naida Lambert Memorial Scholarship for 2008-2009. The scholarship was established by Naida and Fritz Lambert, who adored children, but never having any of their own, they established the Lambert Foundation, a charitable organization that awards scholarships to deserving college-bound high school students from Bergen County. It benefits students from all majors. Continuing the Lambert’s legacy at the Lambert Foundation are trustees, Jeanne Sullivan and Karen Doyle.

If you would like to learn more about the Fritz and Naida Lambert Memorial Scholarship, please contact Dave Farrokh at
(908) 737-3481 or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

Scholarship Reception Raises Bar 
November 18, 2008

More than 850 distinguished Kean University student scholarship recipients, along with their proud families, friends and donors, congregated in Downs Hall on November 16th for the 2008-09 Kean University Scholars Recognition Ceremony. The afternoon dessert reception set new precedents across the board.The event honored approximately 350 scholars, whose lives were transformed by $550,000 in total awards.

For more information about the Scholarship Reception, contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

NJ Foster Care Scholars Honored
November 5, 2008

The Kean University Office of Scholarship Services hosted a dessert reception for its New Jersey Foster Care Scholars in the Center for Academic Success. Each year the scholarship recipients receive their awards from Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), a charitable organization that has donated more than $50,000 in support of 20 deserving Kean students in the past year alone.

For more information, please contact Dave Farrokh at (908) 737-3480, or e-mail dfarrokh@kean.edu.

Koros’ Deanship Celebrated
October 8, 2008

“The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing.” These words by acclaimed novelist Edith Wharton were inscribed upon the cover of the program distributed during a special reception and program honoring Dr. Carole Shaffer-Koros, founding dean of the Kean University School of Visual and Performing Arts.

For more information, contact Connie Alexis-Laona at (908) 737-3460, or e-mail calexis@kean.edu.

Ninth Annual Golf Classic a Success
September 23, 2008

A picture-perfect autumn day complemented the Ninth Annual Kean University Golf Classic at prestigious Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J. More than 180 golfers were challenged by the links at two courses in a best ball scramble, which raised a tournament record $175,000, which will go towards funding Kean University Foundation scholarships and priority programs.

For more information about the 2009 Golf Classic, contact Angela Mulhearn at (908) 737-3460, or e-mail amulhear@kean.edu.

Inspiration Through Tragedy
August 22, 2008 

Even throughout the darkest days of her battle with lupus, the late Damarys “Damarita” Vazquez ’98 refused to let on to her family, both at home and at Kean University, that anything was ever amiss. Unfortunately, only four years after celebrating her graduation, Damarita succumbed to the illness she had fought for virtually her entire life. However, her parents Damaryz and Johnny, with the assistance of a few close friends and multiple members of the Kean community, pledged to honor her memory by establishing the Damarys Vazquez Memorial Scholarship, available to a deserving education student each year in perpetuity.

For more information, please contact Cynthia McChesney at (908) 737-3433, or e-mail cmcchesn@kean.edu.

Eleventh Annual Gala Lauded
June 8, 2008

If you have ever wondered about what it would be like to visit Paris in the spring, then Thursday, June 5, 2008 was your night to enjoy this wonderful experience in all of its luster and elegance – only 3,000 miles closer in Harwood Arena. For more than 700 patrons, the 11th Annual Kean University Gala Honoring Robert W. Cockren, Esq. more than lived up to the flamboyant and boisterous, yet elegant expectations set forth by its Moulin Rouge theme. More importantly, it garnered over $400,000 that will go toward supporting Transforming Lives: The Campaign for Kean University.

As past chair and current member of the Board of Trustees, Cockren has played a significant role in the unprecedented growth and prosperity that has taken place throughout Kean in recent years. Additionally, through his work with the Rummel Foundation, Cockren has transformed the lives of dozens of deserving students through scholarships.

For information about the 2009 Gala, contact Angela Mulhearn at (908) 737-3460, or e-mail amulhear@kean.edu.

Changing of the Guard
May 18, 2008

The Kean University Foundation Board of Directors recently experienced a changing of the guard, so to speak. Jim Hynes, ’63 (left), chair for the past four years, recently stepped down upon the fulfillment of his term. In his place, Maria Bordas (right) has taken the helm and will continue moving the Board forward during the most prosperous and successful period in its history.

Hynes, for whom the recently completed, state-of-the-art baseball stadium is named, was honored in May 2008 at a special reception for his dedicated service and philanthropy, and presented with a replica baseball jersey from when he played for the University.

For more information about the Kean University Foundation Board of Directors, contact Angela Mulhearn at (908) 737-3460, or e-mail amulhear@kean.edu.