Caldwell University To Honor Community Leaders At Benefit Gala

CALDWELL, NJ — Caldwell University is hosting a gala to raise money for scholarships, and it will include a tip of the hat to “community leaders” including Sister Gerardine Mueller, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.

The university’s gala will also celebrate the inauguration of Matthew Whelan, the school’s ninth president. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. Learn more here.

“We are looking forward to a very special night to honor community leaders who have been committed to the state of New Jersey and excellence in education for our Caldwell University students,” said Kevin Boyle, vice president for development and alumni affairs.

Honorees will include:

Gerardine Mueller – “Sister Gerardine Mueller, O.P. ’54, turns 100 years old Sept. 16 and the university will continue its year-long celebration of her lifelong work of service and dedication as a Sister of Saint Dominic of Caldwell. Sister founded the Caldwell Art Department and has been a beloved artist-in-residence for more than 50 years. The work of this prolific and deeply gifted artist includes sculpture, stained glass, illumination and calligraphy, wood carvings and printmaking that can be seen on campus, around the state and the world. Her perseverance led what was then the Caldwell College for Women to offer the first Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in New Jersey, with the first diploma awarded in 1976.”

Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. – “Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., “Joe D,” is being honored for his leadership of the county for nearly 20 years and in the COVID-19 response and recovery plan for Essex County. DiVincenzo led in setting up COVID-19 testing sites, starting several megacenters to deliver the vaccine through a centralized registration system, setting up mobile vaccination sites to reach vulnerable populations, ensuring that the county held weekly food distribution events, and seeing that grants were made available for small businesses, homeowners and nonprofits. Among the many county initiatives DiVincenzo has spearheaded are: the attainment of a Aaa bond rating, the first time in Essex County’s history that the highest rating was achieved, the development of the Essex County of the Essex County South Mountain Recreational Complex, the restoration of the Historic Courthouse, the overhaul of the Government Complex and the improvement of the Essex County Parks System.”

Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey – “The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) is being celebrated for its support of the university’s Art Therapy Center, the School of Nursing, and the Counseling Center, and for advancing healthcare and mental health care initiatives in New Jersey. As an advocate for nursing simulation, HFNJ made a leadership gift to purchase an adult simulation mannequin in conjunction with the grand opening of the University’s nursing simulation laboratory in 2011. As a champion for mental health initiatives, HFNJ supported Caldwell students by supporting a pilot program funding an advanced practice nurse position to authorize medication prescription and management on campus at the Wellness Center.”

In addition to the gala, the university will hold several inauguration activities to celebrate the campus community and Whelan, who came on board as president on July 1, 2020. The installation ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 22. Other activities will include lectures, a concert and an art exhibit that are free and open to the public.

To learn more about reunion, visit https://www.caldwell.edu/alumni/reunion-2021/. For other events and locations, go to https://www.caldwell.edu/inauguration2021/.

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