NJIT Dedicates Lobby of Popular Dorm to Family That Endows Scholarships
The dedication of the lobby of the most popular residence hall at New Jersey Institute of Technology was truly a family affair.
While accepting the recognition, Donald Dinallo, a builder whose company, Terminal Construction Corp. in Wood-Ridge, N.J., led the construction of Maple Hall, stood before a crowd that included his wife, children and grandchildren. A contingent of work colleagues, NJIT leaders and students also were on hand.
But as well-received as the year-old, eight-story, apartment-style hall has been, that wasn’t the primary focus of the dedication, which included the installation of a plaque. Rather, the university wanted to show its appreciation for two scholarships that Dinallo and his wife, Lesley, have generously endowed.
One, the Dinallo Family Scholarship, was established in May and supports economically disadvantaged students at NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering and its School of Applied Engineering and Technology. The other, the Anthony M. Dinallo Scholarship — named after Donald’s late father — supports undergraduates studying civil engineering, construction engineering technology and construction management. Those aren’t the only connections between Dinallo and NJIT, however.
One of his sons, Christopher, holds a master’s in civil engineering from the university. Also, more than a half-dozen of Terminal’s employees — including Christopher — are alumni. So, when Dinallo stood to speak — after heartfelt tributes from Dean of Students Marybeth Boger, President Teik C. Lim and Maple Hall Resident Assistant Ricardo Flores — he was as grateful for NJIT as NJIT is for him.
“As much as you’re thanking me today, I want to thank you,” Dinallo said. “I saw the hard work, the dedication, the passion of the people that work here at this university and that’s why I wanted to get involved.
“And, it is with extreme pleasure and I’m very proud to make the donation — Lesley and I — for future students that are not as privileged as I was growing up. And I will tell you that: I was. I had a phenomenal, phenomenal mother that was very successful at providing a tremendous life for my brother and I, and an extreme work ethic was instilled with us. And I want to give back to that.”
A few minutes later, Dinallo cut a ceremonial red ribbon alongside Lim, President Emeritus Joel S. Bloom and recipients of his family’s scholarships. And just after that, he beamed as he held one of his granddaughters and walked through the now dedicated lobby. He looked right at home.
