PCCC Honors Donors at Celebration of Giving

A spirit of generosity filled the air at Passaic County Community College Foundation’s Celebration of Giving last month, when PCCC trustees, faculty, administrators, students, and guests gathered in person at the Wanaque Academic Center to honor our amazing donors, whose contributions to the PCCC Foundation create scholarships and brighten futures for so many of our students.

One of the Foundation’s most successful events to date, the Celebration raised over $60,000. All proceeds will go to support student scholarships and provide the means to access higher education for those who would not be able to do so without assistance.

“The Celebration of Giving marked the Foundation’s first in-person event in nearly three years,” said Dr. Steven Rose, president of PCCC. “The generosity of our donors and the talents of our students were on full display.  It was a wonderful opportunity to re-connect with our donors in an in-person setting and to raise money for student scholarships.  Based on the success of this event, many students will directly benefit.”  

Over 125 attendees turned out to enjoy a festive evening featuring the diverse talents of PCCC students as well as presentations of special honorees.

A reception in the student lounge and black box theater highlighted the talents of PCCC’s culinary arts students who prepared desserts for the elegant buffet.

The reception also featured a student showcase of scientific research by STEM students who participated in the grant-funded research project Urban Scholars for Climate Change. This project enabled PCCC students to conduct significant environmental research under the mentorship of professors from various area universities

Nine students exhibited the process and results of their mentored research on the quality of drinking water, ways to improve indoor air quality, carbon footprint calculating, vehicle emissions, and water quality of the Passaic River.  Two journalism students documented the projects through accounts published in PCCC’s student-run news publication, Visions.

These exciting research opportunities were among the many advantages offered to PCCC students through the work of the PCCC Foundation.  

Deborah Hoffman, Chair of the PCCC Foundation Board of Trustees joined Dr. Rose to welcome everyone to the Awards Ceremony portion of the program.

This year’s special honorees were Anthony J. De Nova III, Passaic County Administrator; and Jane E. Allerman-Rey, President & COO of Spencer Savings Bank. Accepting on behalf of Ms. Allerman-Rey, who could not attend, was Edward Kurbansade, Jr. Vice President, Market Manager of Spencer Savings.

A scholarship will be created in honor of Mr. De Nova, a longtime supporter of PCCC who will retire from his County position this year, after serving for two decades.  The scholarship will be given each year to a student who plans a career in public service.

Presenting certificates to the honorees was Georgia Turvey, representative of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11).

Dr. Rose also presented certificates to event sponsors and top donors: Coppa Montalbano, Ida Greidanus and Michael Ley, Lakeland Bank, NJM Insurance, Smith Sondy Asphalt Construction Co.,

Music for the evening was provided by pianist and PCCC student David Vargas, a Teacher Education major, and by violinist Nadya Kourani, adjunct professor.

Many thanks from the PCCC Foundation to our generous donors and to all who made this wonderful evening such a great success. Thank you for helping to make a college education possible for students who might otherwise not have that opportunity.