Giving to Rowan - The Rowan University Foundation

Profiles in Giving

Gift to prepare the next generation of doctors

Marque Allen '91 understands the importance of getting off to a good start. He's always said that if it weren't for Rowan University's pre-med program, he never would have thought about a career as a physician.

Allen and his wife Yvette have pledged $100,000 to the Rowan University Foundation to establish the Dr. Richard Meagher Medical Scholarship at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. It is the first gift made to help provide for Rowan's developing medical school.

The scholarship recognizes the leadership and guidance Meagher provided to so many Rowan students as they took their first steps toward the medical profession.

"We'd like this gift to not only provide opportunities for future students, but to also inspire other Rowan graduates who entered the medical field to make gifts toward this fund," said Allen. "I look at my pledge as a stimulus and a challenge, much like the donation Henry Rowan made in 1992."

He looks back gratefully as he invests in the future. "Dr. Meagher provided opportunities for many. My donation is meant to honor and recognize a man who believed and saw something in me at a time when I did not," he said. "Without Dr. Meagher, I would not be where I am."

A podiatric surgeon who provides clinical and surgical care, Allen teaches in the department of orthopedics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and is also the San Antonio Spurs team podiatrist.

"I am very excited and proud to support Rowan University's mission," Allen said. "I knew I was taught well and was prepared to take on the rigors of a medical education anywhere."

Now, the next generation of medical students will take on those rigors at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and have a head start, thanks to the Allens and others who follow their lead.

 

Making a way for himself and others

He knew he wouldn't land a job interview without work experience in management information systems, so to beef up his résumé, Anthony Mongeluzo '02 started Pro Computer Service his senior year at Rowan.

"I used to take client calls during class," Mongeluzo laughed, remembering how friends used to poke fun at him for trying to build his business. The RTF-turned-MIS major attributed his pursuit of an entrepreneurial path to his adviser, Jay Chaskes.

"We used to talk about technology all of the time," Mongeluzo said. "I didn't even know Rowan offered an MIS major, but [Chaskes] thought the blend of business and technology would be a good fit for me."

Chaskes was right. Mongeluzo has since been recognized in both the NJBIZ Forty Under 40 and Philadelphia Business Journal for the tremendous growth and success of his business.

Pro Computer Service customizes computer technologies and programs to fit the needs of businesses, offering everything from computer support to website design help. With 16 full-time employees and offices in Medford and Collingswood and Newark, Del., Mongeluzo's business has grown to produce annual revenue of over $2 million.

His level of success is partly a result of his wide range of expertise, which also caught the attention of news networks.

In April, Mongeluzo was chosen by Philadelphia's FOX 29 to assist with technology segments. He has since been an expert source on Wi-Fi protection, the TD Bank computer crisis and new features in the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. He was also featured by ABC affiliates in Philadelphia and Baltimore.

While enjoying success in a career that blends his technology expertise and his interest in communication, Mongeluzo takes seriously his responsibility to open doors of opportunity for others. He has been particularly active with his alma mater in programs to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators.

Mongeluzo helped sponsor the Intellectual Property Summit for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Rowan in November, and in December, the young CEO's sponsorship of the FIRST Lego League-First State Qualifier helped realize schoolchildren's dreams in a robot building competition organized to inspire engineering and technology students.

 

Support from alumna is making a difference

Rowan University's Educational Opportunity Fund/Maximizing Academic Potential program (EOF/MAP) holds a special place for Diane Welburn '74 because it helped her to continue her education. As a way of saying thanks, she makes an annual $10,000 contribution to the program to help current students follow in her footsteps.

Welburn's support recognizes the success of the EOF/MAP program and the positive results the program continues to have. Her commitment has allowed for underwriting the breadth of the program, from providing support for tuition, textbooks and supplies to study abroad opportunities. Over the past five years, hundreds of students have been the beneficiaries of her generosity.

Co-owner of Welburn Management Consulting Company in Woodbridge, Virginia, Welburn believes her time at the University and the experiences she had as an undergraduate were instrumental in shaping her future. She credits her professors with encouraging her and helping her to learn and grow, and especially remembers Dr. Wilhelminia Perry.

Welburn thinks it's important for today's students to pursue success and take advantage of all the opportunities they have. Her advice: "Don't let anything stop you or stand in your way, no matter what difficulties you encounter. Where there is a will, there is a way. Don't let any one discourage you!"

She encourages other alumni to invest in Rowan. "When you have reached a point in your life when you can give back, you should," said Welburn. "What better place to give back to then the University that shaped your life."

 

Alumna Creates Camden EOF Scholarship Fund

Hazel May '68, remembers how difficult it was juggling work and her education as an elementary education major as she commuted to and from then Glassboro State College. Forty years later, she is in a position to ease the burden for students who may share the aspirations and dreams, and perhaps the challenges, she had.

At a luncheon on the Camden Campus on March 31, Mrs. May and her husband, the Reverend Thomas May, announced their commitment to create a scholarship fund dedicated to Rowan at Camden Educational Opportunity Fund students. They will contribute $10,000 a year toward the scholarship fund for the rest of their lives.

"This gift is a legacy that will live on forever, because it is opening the doors of opportunity—not just for today's students, but for their children and grandchildren," said President Donald Farish.

Mrs. May taught physical education in the Lindenwold School District for 30 years. Mr. May started his career as a small businessman and opened a funeral home in Camden 30 years ago. The family business thrived and today May Funeral Homes are also located in Pennsauken, Willingboro and Vineland. The Mays reside in Somerdale and have five adult children.

"Fortunately, I was awarded a similar scholarship (as a student) at Hofstra University," said Mr. May. "The program here is very similar, giving someone the opportunity to get a higher education when they may not be able to afford it. It is an opportunity for us to give back."

 

Benefactors honored for Honors Program

Thomas N. Bantivoglio and his wife, Pat, were honored at an event last November in Rowan's Science Hall Atrium that showcased the success of the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration since their $1 million gift in 2004. Some 60 posters describing projects undertaken by Honors students were on display as students and faculty mingled with friends and family of the Bantivoglios to discuss their projects. After the poster session, guests enjoyed an exploration of the cosmos in the Edelman Planetarium followed by a gala reception in the Atrium.

The Bantivoglio Honors Concentration provides 275 academically talented and intellectually curious students with opportunities to enhance their educational degree programs at Rowan. The major elements of the Bantivoglio Concentration are Honors courses and participation in educational extracurricular and service projects.

The Bantivoglio gift has made it possible for Rowan's top students to engage in independent research and to present that research at academic and professional conferences; to attend a variety of enriching activities (e.g., theatre, music and art performances, science exhibits, book discussions); to give back to the community in service projects and to interact with other high caliber students in every college in the University to promote the growth of a network which will help their communities develop in the future. At the physical center of the Honors Learning Community are the Lounge and Computer Lab which were remodeled and furnished using Bantivoglio funds.

 

Gift provides opportunities for life-changing experience

Thanks to the generous support of Seward Johnson, Rowan University's art department has the opportunity to provide a life-changing experience for one of its students each spring. Established in 2005, the Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship makes it possible for an undergraduate art major to spend the spring semester studying at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence, Italy.

The scholarship has become an incentive for students to maintain a high GPA, as academic success (a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher) and potential for artistic achievement are prerequisites for application. The award covers transportation, tuition and housing.

Johnson believes the program that he and his wife started is important in helping to get young artists who have not traveled "over to what is just about the birthplace of art. It seems to have a very strong, even life-changing, effect on their budding art careers."

The recipients agree. "As an artist educator, the works that I saw in Italy have affected not only my own artwork but also my thinking as an educator," said Sandra Koberlein '07. Since her return, she has had opportunities to share some of what she learned through classes and workshops that she has taught.

Tonya (Pulis) Riggins '07 found that her experiences abroad gave her a new perspective on the children she teaches. "Adapting to life in Italy with limited language skills helped me to better understand the children. They often don't have all of the words to communicate their thoughts and ideas. I'm able to help them express themselves."

Both women are grateful to Johnson for the opportunity his gift provided. "He seems to really enjoy the fact that he is able to give this opportunity to the students at Rowan," said Koberlein.

Through Johnson's generous support, this rare chance to study in one of the premier art capitals of the world will continue to enhance the educational experience of award recipients for many years to come.

 

Second commitment will put Rowan's engineers on wheels

Rowan is getting some new wheels, thanks to a $420,000 planned grant spread over the next three years from John Martinson, managing partner of Edison Venture Fund. The grant will allow the College of Engineering to implement its new Engineers on Wheels program in cooperation with the College of Education. 

The Engineers on Wheels program will deliver simple, cost-effective, hands-on activities to K-12 students and teachers on-site. Rowan students will utilize customized vehicles, which will be retrofitted with computers and solar panels, to transport the materials. The outreach program will help educators implement engineering into everyday lessons and will also provide concepts that teachers can incorporate into their lessons to bolster math and science skills.

Edison Venture Fund previously provided a grant for Engineering Clinics for Teachers, a program that helps introduce engineering techniques and activities to K-12 teachers on Rowan's campus. The program was so successful that Martinson was eager to become involved again—especially in a program that involves children directly.

"I was very pleased with the results of the first gift and this new gift is not a continuation but an entirely new one," said Martinson. "The program we sponsor at Rowan is one of the best among those that we support."

Dr. Kauser Jahan, chair of the civil engineering program proposed Engineers on Wheels as a way to address the growing problem of U.S. students lagging behind in math and science.

Martinson hopes that the program has long-term effects. "We're looking to make both a social and economic change so these students can go on to successful careers and make economic changes in this state."

Engineers on Wheels is the first step in this process. The program's goal is to strengthen the presence of engineering at the K-12 level and to increase awareness of the discipline by providing the tools necessary to strengthen America's future. Thanks to John Martinson, Rowan can now work toward this goal for the next three years.

 

King Family Foundation gift makes lasting impact

Since establishing the Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation in honor of her parents, Diana King has helped hundreds of film and television students across America through scholarships and grants. In 2002, King provided $1 million to fund The Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Radio/Television/Film at Rowan.

Funds from the endowment have been used to acquire equipment and learning resources and have helped to make improvements in classes and curricula that will benefit students for years to come. The University held a formal Investiture Ceremony on September 25 to celebrate the generosity and impact of the King Family Foundation's gift.

Professor Mike Donovan has served as the King Chair since its inception and also serves as the King Family Foundation's educational director. Donovan has been friends with Diana for years, and has great respect for her as "one of the most quietly generous people [he has] ever known."

"I truly admire Mike's passion as an educator and his immense knowledge of the television industry," commented King—sentiments shared by Donovan's current and former students, including Chris Regina '95, vice president of programming for the Sci Fi Channel. "His constant encouragement and support were crucial to my success."

Diana's father, Charles King, founded King World Productions as a syndication company with programming including "The Little Rascals," "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." In 1988, King established the Foundation that bears her parents' names and where she serves as trustee, president and chair.

Rowan is the only university with an endowed chair from the Foundation. Through the gift, King wanted to support "the process of producing qualified and passionate professionals entering the broadcasting industry."

When she was introduced to Henry Rowan, King was "extremely impressed by his vision for the future generations of students. The foundation sincerely felt that by supporting RTF with this endowment, we too could have a dramatic impact upon Rowan students."