Rowan University Foundation

Profiles in Giving

The Schlitt Family

Family Gift to Assist CMSRU Students and Faculty

Four members of the South Jersey-based Schlitt family of physicians, who have dedicated their careers to caring for children in the region, have committed $300,000 to assist students and faculty at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU).

The gift by Dr. Ludwig Schlitt and his children—Drs. Michael, Stephanie and Mark, all of Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group in Haddon Heights—will be used to establish The Schlitt Family Student Lounge and The Schlitt Family Dean's Executive Conference Room in CMSRU's new medical school building in Camden. The building will open this summer when CMSRU welcomes its charter class of 50 students.

"Our family has a proud, 50-year history of caring for children in South Jersey," said Dr. Ludwig Schlitt. "We feel fortunate to help play a role in expanding health care in our state by supporting the medical school."

"We're excited about the partnership between Rowan and Cooper and believe in the medical school's mission to promote the education of primary care physicians in the region," added Dr. Michael Schlitt.

The gift from the Schlitts is the latest for CMSRU as it continues to attract private support from individuals who believe in the medical school's mission to provide a humanistic education for medical school students in which inclusivity, excellence in patient care, innovative teaching, research and service to the community are valued.

"It is gratifying to see the Schlitts—a family of southern New Jersey physicians—take a leadership role in supporting CMSRU and higher education in the region," said Paul Katz, MD, Founding Dean of CMSRU. "With our first class of students scheduled to arrive in August, we expect that more people will show their support for the medical school."

Given their connection to Cooper Health System, choosing CMSRU as the beneficiary of their generosity was a natural fit for the Schlitt family. Dr. Ludwig Schlitt, a resident of Haddonfield, began his career at Cooper University Hospital in 1960 and some of his five children were born there.

He opened Haddon Pediatrics in 1970, and, in 1998, the practice joined Children's Health Association. In 2008, the name was changed to Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group. While based in Haddon Heights, the group has a satellite office in Mullica Hill. Dr. Michael Schlitt joined the practice in 1990. Dr. Stephanie Schlitt joined in 1997 and Dr. Mark Schlitt joined the practice in 2002.

 

Dr. Michael Renzi

Physician's Gift to Fund Clinical Simulation Rooms

renziA generous gift from Dr. Michael Renzi and his family will help aspiring doctors receive a state-of-the-art education in patient treatment at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU).  

 “The medical community is excited about the prospect of a new generation of physicians being trained right here in South Jersey and the impact they will have on our region,” said Renzi. “My family is pleased to be able to support that effort with simulation rooms that utilize cutting-edge technology to help medical school students learn to provide the very best patient care.”

The Renzi Family Clinical Simulation Rooms at CMSRU will provide the key to learning the complicated procedures and processes necessary for medical students to understand the practice of medicine, according to Dr. Paul Katz, founding dean of CMSRU. The rooms will be equipped to provide live monitoring/observation and will feature video recording to “allow for the debriefing that leads to reflective learning,” said Katz.

Computerized simulation mannequins and standardized patient actors will be used to teach students how to handle everything from basic CPR to high-risk, rare medical problems. The Clinical Simulation Rooms will be equipped with networked computer and video projectors that will enable digitally recorded sessions to be easily accessed from any location.

“Through this, students actually will learn to perform as clinicians and to treat patients under often-critical circumstances,” Katz said, noting that the rooms will be effective tools for assessing students’ technical skills, critical thinking and team-oriented behavior.

The clinical simulation rooms will be housed in the six-story, 200,000-square-foot medical school building now under construction at South Broadway and Benson Street in Camden. The approximately $130-million building, which has been designed to meet LEED environmental certification standards, is expected to be completed in 2012.

Renzi has strong ties to both Cooper and Rowan. He completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Cooper in 1995 and regularly presents in the resident lecture series at the hospital.  His son is an undergraduate student at Rowan.

 

Mrs. John B. Campbell

Professorial Chair Endowment creates a lasting legacy

campbellA $1 million gift from Ann C. “Buffy” Campbell to establish the John B. Campbell Professorial Chair in the Rohrer College of Business was celebrated on October 14 during a formal Investiture ceremony. The ceremony honored Mrs. Campbell and Dr. Gulser Meric, the inaugural professor to hold the prestigious position.

The gift from Mrs. Campbell memorializes the vision and character of her late husband, John B. Campbell, a business leader who helmed the family’s Salem-based flooring company for more than 40 years.

Mr. Campbell was the former president and chairman of Mannington Mills, the third generation to run the family firm started by his grandfather. He attended Dartmouth College and the Marines Officers Candidate School and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II. After the war he helped shape Mannington Mills into a leader in the flooring industry and became a strong advocate for—and generous donor to—numerous organizations in Salem County.

The Campbell endowment provides the means to encourage scholarship and service in business. “Johnny was a consummate businessman,” recalled Mrs. Campbell. “He was a visionary, but also very pragmatic… smart, generous and determined—qualities I would like to see in Rohrer Business students.”

The individuals who hold the endowed chair will exhibit mastery of their discipline and superlative skill in instruction as well as success in research and a commitment to service.

During her two-year tenure as the John B. Campbell Professorial Chair, Dr. Meric, Professor of Finance, will organize semi-annual research and pedagogical strategy presentations for the College; explore funding opportunities for research and teaching in the College; and mentor junior faculty in research, teaching, and service.

“The Rohrer College of Business takes great pride in its faculty and this is truly an honor for me,” Dr. Meric told Mrs. Campbell during the ceremony. “Thank you. Your gift and the legacy of your husband will continue to propel the Rohrer College of Business.”

 

 

Anthony J. Jannetti

Endowment provides boost for nursing educationjanet

Anthony J. Jannetti, president and CEO of Pitman-based Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., contributed $50,000 to the Rowan University Foundation to establish an endowment to fund scholarships for students in the University’s RN-to-BSN program. The gift is the first-ever to support the program and the first endowment for any program that is a part of Rowan’s College of Graduate and Continuing Education.

The A.J. Jannetti/Marriott Nursing Endowment Scholarship Fund—named in part for Marriott International, which contributes to a scholarship fund in Jannetti’s name—will provide financial assistance for one or more nurses a year who need monetary support to complete the program as they seek to advance their careers. Jannetti works closely on scholarship activities with Marriott Vice President and Market General Manager Michael Stengel, who also is a Rowan alumnus.

“We are in the nursing education business. All the work we do focuses on the continuing education of the nursing profession. Because of that and the success of our company, we feel a need to give back. We have donated, during the last 38 years, more than $1.1 million in nursing scholarships,” said Jannetti. “We decided we should do something locally. We have about five Rowan alumni in this company, and we expect the Rowan program is going to be outstanding for the nursing profession. We’re excited about it and pleased to start this endowment.”

Founded by Rowan in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) the RN-to-BSN program is designed for registered nurses with an associate’s or diploma degree who want to complete their bachelor’s degree and possibly go further with their education. A part-time offering that can be completed in as little as 20 months (121 credits), the RN-to-BSN program allows students to stay in their professional positions while attending classes.

“This endowment provides wonderful opportunities for nurses working toward their BSN,” said program director Virginia Wilson, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NE-BC, PhDc. “We are grateful to Mr. Jannetti and his organization. We appreciate his generosity and his recognition that nurses completing their BSN better their own careers and also impact the health care of everyone in South Jersey.”

 

 

Anthony Mongeluzo

 

Anthony Mongeluzo '02

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.

 

 

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Dr. Marque Allen '91

Gift to prepare the next generation of doctors

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.

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