NJIT Honors Exceptional Donors at Launch of the Colton Society
NJIT’s inaugural inductees into its new Colton Society represent an array of disciplines, including engineering, architecture, finance, education and technology. Each, however, shares something remarkable in common: lifetime contributions to the university that exceed half a million dollars.
In tribute to such exceptional generosity, NJIT honored the 63 benefactors during an online event that featured the unveiling of a plaque bearing their names in Eberhardt Hall. President Joel S. Bloom personally thanked each by name, noting how their contributions fuel the development of those who study at NJIT.
“Your generosity is tangible and critically important. It provides scholarship and fellowship support for our students, funding for state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory spaces and financial support for faculty research as well as academic resources,” Bloom said. “Just as important, your commitment inspires those around you to become involved, to care about the students and faculty at NJIT and to give generously of their time, talents and treasure.”
The recognition society, which is named in honor of Charles A. Colton, founding director of Newark Technical School — the first iteration of NJIT — celebrates the spirit of innovation and achievement that has distinguished NJIT since it opened in 1881. Its members, through their exemplary leadership, service and generosity, stand at the forefront of the university’s ongoing efforts to prepare talented students for success across the STEM fields and beyond.
Some inductees are particularly familiar to the NJIT community as their names now grace four schools: Albert Dorman Honors College, J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier School of Architecture and Design, Martin Tuchman School of Management and Ying Wu College of Computing. Others endow scholarships and fellowships that enable students and professors to study and pursue research without financial barriers. And still others fund the construction and renovation of campus buildings. Collectively, they’ve donated more than $55.3 million.
Nearly half of the benefactors are alumni, including Stephen DePalma ’72, the former chairman and CEO of engineering firm Schoor DePalma and chair emeritus of the NJIT Board of Trustees, who spoke on behalf of the inaugural class.
Seated next to his wife, Penny, DePalma praised his alma mater for being a “beacon of ethnic diversity and the embodiment of the American dream. This is why Penny and I believe that our commitment to NJIT is both transformational as well as life-changing.
“To our fellow Colton Society members, Penny and I extend our deepest gratitude and thanks for your partnership and loyalty,” DePalma added. “And most of all, thank you for your commitment to the mission of NJIT.”
A student speaker, Daniela Bushiri ’21 of Albert Dorman Honors College, expressed gratitude for the financial support she receives through scholarships, as she pursues a bachelor’s in chemical engineering with a minor in applied mathematics. Such support enables her to take advantage of diverse opportunities both on campus and in the surrounding community of Newark, including clubs, internships and mentoring programs.
After graduation, Bushiri, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering with the goal of working in the energy industry and eventually, academia, as a professor.
“None of these plans would have been possible without all of you,” she said to the benefactors. “So, on behalf of all of the scholarship recipients at NJIT, I would like to thank all of the members of the Colton Society for your generosity and support. In fact, I would like to congratulate you for the significant impact you’re making on the student body at NJIT because your investment in a student like me results in an investment in changing lives and ultimately, changing the world.”
Here’s to the inaugural members of the Colton Society:
Bernadette and Benjamin Aiello
Richard S. Bowles III
Raymond F. Carulli ’73 and Ann Bernadette Nolan (IMO)
Raymond A. Cassetta ’70
Francine and C. Stephen Cordes ’72
Linda and Nicholas M. DeNichilo ’73, ’78
Penny and Stephen P. DePalma ’72
Joan and Albert A. Dorman ’45, ’99 HON
Christina Seix-Dow and Robert S. Dow ’69, ’14 HON
Estelle* and Seymour “Zoom” Fleisher ’51*
Hope and Alfred J. Frungillo Jr.
Daniel A. Henderson ’11 HON
Barbara A. and J. Robert Hillier, FAIA, ’17 HON
Donna and N. Eric Johanson ’65*
Marcia and Louis A. Kamentsky ’52, ’92 HON
Elizabeth* and Paul V. Kastner ’73
Brian G. Kiernan ’70
Sawako* and Gary R. LeMann ’65
Bernard W. Leroe ’46*
Joan C. and Charles R. Lipuma ’53, ’56
Barbara Littman ’94* and Leonard Littman
Madeline and Joseph J. Longo ’51
Pam and Ralph M. Maddalena ’75, ’77
Vicki and Frank R. McCullagh ’68
Sonia and Raymond J. McGowan ’64
Lenda and Vincent Naimoli ’62, ’09 HON*
Joan and George M. Newcombe ’69
Sandra and John H. Olson ’61, ’66
Susan and Philip L. Rinaldi ’68, ’77, ’17 HON
Carol and Harold L. Spangler ’74*
Stefanie and James F. Stevenson
Patricia and Joseph M. Taylor ’11 HON
Martin Tuchman ’62
Eleanor and Dieter Weissenrieder ’76
Ying Wu ‘88, ’16 HON
*Deceased
