Galloway American Legion Post Donates $25,000 to Stockton University to Help Veterans

Galloway, NJ -- The American Legion Post 430 in Galloway Township has donated $25,000 to establish an endowment for the benefit of student veterans and their families in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Stockton University, the University announced Tuesday morning.

“After selling our Post home and property to Galloway Township, Post 430 members sought ways to use the funds to help our local veterans, so we established scholarships,” Post Commander Russell Konrady said. “These include four annual $2,500 scholarships for undergraduates for 10 years. … This will be one scholarship annually for $1,000 for as long as the program is in existence.”

The annual dollar amount awarded will vary and be determined by the Foundation’s spending policy. The Foundation’s investment and distribution philosophy is to preserve and grow the original funds so that the endowment‘s distribution may keep pace with inflation.

Konrady, who is also a crew supervisor and carpenter at Stockton, said the Post was approached by the Master of Social Work program to see if they could help the graduate students.

The MSW program is designed to educate social workers who are prepared for advanced-level practice with diverse individuals, families, and communities.

After speaking with MSW, the Post agreed to make the donation. Konrady’s daughter, Dawn, is a graduate of the MSW Program. She is a donor to the fund, and the director of the Child Welfare Education Institute.

On Monday, Konrady signed the agreement with Richard Dovey, chair of the Stockton University Foundation, and Stockton Interim President Harvey Kesselman.

“We probably could not have picked a better day - the 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor - to keep the spotlight on veterans,” Konrady said.

“Let me thank Russ for this, the latest commitment of the American Legion to Stockton. The Legion is deeply supportive of what we do here and we are really honored that you have chosen us,” Kesselman said. “To have support for this academic discipline pays double the benefits, as the graduates will be able to help others in need. It is the gift that keeps on giving.”

The Legion post said it intends for the endowment’s earnings to provide an annual award for student veterans in the MSW program, including students who qualify for benefits under the Disabled American Veteran, National Guard or Reserve programs.

Students from Galloway will be considered first, followed by Atlantic County residents before opening up consideration for the rest of the state. The University Scholarship Selection Committee will make the final decision.

It will be awarded for the first time during the 2016-17 academic school year.

The ceremony was attended by Dawn Konrady, Tom O’Donnell, assistant dean of Students/Veteran Affairs and members of the Student Veterans Organization: Arz Nammour, a junior Biology major from Egg Harbor Township and Ty Sistler, a May 2015 Social Work graduate from Upper Township.

Other supporters present included: Diane Falk, director of the MSW program, who helped spearhead the effort and is also making a contribution to the fund; Kit Siracusa, coordinator of field education for the MSW, Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen, assistant professor of Social Work, and Guia Calicdan-Apostle, assistant professor of Social Work and chair of the scholarship committee.

Philip Ellmore, chief development officer and director of the University Foundation, Jessica Kowal, director of Development and Special Projects, and Peg Fiore, director of gift fund stewardship, also attended.

Additional contributions to the endowment fund may be made at any time by the donors and others, and will be accepted by the Foundation.

Stockton has a long history of welcoming and supporting student veterans. It formalized that support by forming the current program in 2008 and now serves over 600 veterans and active-duty service members.

Stockton is ranked at #6 among the best colleges and universities nationwide for veterans by the Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges 2016,” the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919. It is committed to mentoring youth, sponsoring community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and providing support and aid to service members and veterans.

Post 430 is a sponsor for transportation to the current display in Stockton’s C/D Atrium, “Final Sale: The End of Jewish Owned Businesses in Nazi Berlin,” which is being viewed this fall by over 1,000 area high school and middle school students and their teachers.

“As our membership declines because of aging veterans, we invite all younger veterans to come join us and help keep the mission of The American Legion alive,” Konrady said. “Please come see us, as we need your help supporting each other.”

Post 430 meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Germania Volunteer Fire Co., 312 South Cologne Avenue, in Galloway.