Skip Navigation

University News

GCU Scholarship Brunch—Where Generosity and Talent Meet

Scholarship Brunch 2015 attendees

Scholarship Brunch 2015 a Success

The inaugural theme for Georgian Court University President Joseph R. Marbach—Answering the Call: Transformation through Catholic Education—was especially appropriate as students, faculty, and donors gathered for GCU’s Annual Scholarship Brunch on Sunday, October 18.

“Education transforms individual lives,” remarked Mellissa Zanjani, Ph.D., CFRE, GCU vice president for institutional advancement, “and I am constantly amazed by the grace of our donors, faculty, staff, and alumni.”

For the last 15 years, the yearly event has honored student recipients and their scholarship donors.

Donor scholarships like those awarded to the honorees help make the average cost of tuition for the 2015–2016 academic year just under $18,000, a figure that positions Georgian Court as more affordable than many other state schools, including Rider and Rutgers universities, President Marbach stated in his opening remarks.

Samantha Kuntz
GCU biology major Samantha Kuntz (r) is one of many students who are earning their degrees at Georgian Court University, thanks to the support of scholarship donors, including the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ). Samantha is pictured here with MaryAlice W. Breuninger, a development officer with ICFNJ.

Every Gift Counts

For students like Jillian Conley, every donor gift makes a difference.

Jillian, a senior and a recipient of the C. R. Bard Nursing Scholarship, met Gerry Bellotti, vice president of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey, which oversees the scholarship. She was able to share that she currently works in a hospital oncology department as a nurse’s assistant, has post-graduate education plans, and intends to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. She also emphasized how much her scholarship helps.

“The scholarship definitely lessened the stress of having to pay tuition,” commented Jillian, a nursing major. “With the help of this scholarship, I have the ability to work straight through my master’s degree, and it’s nice to be able to thank the person responsible for making that happen.”

The scholarship brunch serves not only as a way to honor students and recipients, but also as a way of creating personal connections between the pairs.

“I’ve been coming to this event for 10 years,” added Mr. Bellotti, “and it’s events like this that make our organization keep coming back.”

Click here for more photos from the event.

Story contributed by GCU English major Alexandria Graziosi ’15.


Every dollar donated for scholarships makes a difference. Learn how you can support scholarships for GCU students! E-mail the Office of Institutional Advancement or call 732-987-2232.


Aerial view of GCU.

About Georgian Court University

Georgian Court University is a leading regional university that provides a transformative education, preparing students for ethical leadership and service in the Catholic Mercy tradition. Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is Central and South Jersey’s only Catholic university. The university has a strong liberal arts core and a historic special concern for women.

As a forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, GCU is known for expanding possibility for more than 1,900 students of all faiths and backgrounds in 35+ undergraduate majors and 10+ graduate programs. The GCU Lions compete in 16 NCAA Division II sports in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). In 2020, GCU was named a Best Value College by Money.com and a Best Bang for the Buck (Northeast) by Washington Monthly. High student retention and graduation rates make GCU a Top Performer on Social Mobility on U.S. News & World Reports rankings.

The main campus is in Lakewood, New Jersey, on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, also serves students through its Center for Professional Studies, and at other locations, including GCU at Brookdale, and through multiple online degree and certificate programs.

Deposit Deadline Extended to June 1

Georgian Court University has extended the deposit deadline to June 1 in response to the U.S. Department of Education announcement concerning delayed data availability from the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, deposits are also refundable up to June 1. Click here for more information about the deposit extension.