More than 100 golfers will take to the course at Deal Golf and Country Club on Monday, May 7, as Georgian Court University hosts its 23rd Annual Scholarship and Golf Classic. The event represents GCU’s most important fund-raising event of the year, with proceeds funding scholarships that make the dream of an education possible for hundreds of students.
“The funds we raise at the Annual Scholarship and Golf Classic provide much-needed assistance to Georgian Court University students, 46% of whom come from households facing significant economic challenges,” said GCU President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. “We are grateful for our donor participants who, by contributing to scholarships, expand possibility for so many Georgian Court students.”
Over the years, the Scholarship and Golf Classic has helped to raise more than $2.5 million in student scholarships, helping more than 700 students achieve their dreams of a college education.
Honoring Scholarship Supporters
The 2018 Scholarship and Golf Classic will honor recipients who are longtime supporters of Catholic higher education and the students at GCU.
Sister Diane Szubrowski, RSM, ’68 and the Sisters of Mercy will receive the 2018 Joseph E. Buckelew Service Award. Sister Diane, a 1968 graduate of Georgian Court, serves as a donor relations volunteer at the university and is an ardent supporter of GCU students. She spent her formative years as an elementary school teacher, administrator, and principal at schools operated by the Sisters of Mercy. In addition, she served as president of the New Jersey Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, and has served as a board member for GCU, Scully Registration and Finance Center in Asbury Park, and the American Cancer Society of the Jersey Shore.
The university’s 2018 Corporate Service Award will go to J. Knipper and Company, the largest provider of pharmaceutical sampling management services. The company, which is dedicated to improving peoples’ lives by providing healthcare marketing solutions to pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, and medical device, has worked alongside GCU for many years. The company has supported GCU scholarship recipients, assisted with internships, been involved with business mentoring and more.
CEO James Knipper (who has a master’s degree in theology at GCU) and his father, Joseph Knipper, served on the Board of Trustees for the university and were instrumental in making the golf outing successful during their tenure. They also co-chaired the Scholarship and Golf Classic, along with company President Michael Laferrera, who is also a current member of the GCU Board of Trustees.
Scholarships Expand Possibility
Scholarship assistance is especially important at Georgian Court, which—as part of its mission—offers more than $19 million in institutional aid to students, about 50 percent of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
This year’s event is made possible by participating golfers and a host of event sponsors, including:
- (Gold Sponsors) The Fontenelli Family, Hackensack Meridian Health, J. Knipper and Company, The Honorable Anthony J. and Judith Persichilli, and SEI Investments;
- (Silver Sponsors) AppCentrica Inc., George Link Jr. Charitable Trust, the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, New Jersey Natural Gas, and OceanFirst Bank; and
- (Exclusive Golf Cart Sponsor) Ray Shea.
For more information about the Scholarship and Golf Classic, please contact Gianna Verdoni, manager of special events at 732-987-2206 or gverdoni@georgian.edu.
