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By Lori Neuman RC’90
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” These words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have an even greater meaning for our 2020 Loyal Sons and Daughters of Rutgers honorees, all of whom have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, leadership, and service to our 191 year-old alma mater. Through their generosity of time, expertise, resources, and dedication over the years, these inspiring individuals have given back to the Rutgers community in ways beyond measure – making a significant and meaningful impact on university life and culture.
“These awards are presented to individuals with a longstanding commitment to promoting the values instilled while a student of Rutgers, and represent the quality and longevity of the education and inspiration that comes from being part of this great university,” said Brian Tobin RC’96 GSN’17, and current Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) President. A 2020 Loyal Sons and Daughters Award recipient – and the first from the Class of ‘96, Tobin also commented how particularly meaningful and humbling this award is, largely because it is presented by peers. “The collective achievements of this year’s recipients are incredibly impressive and speaks a lot about who they are, and how much Rutgers means to them. To be recognized among such a distinguished group is truly an honor.”
“The Sons and Daughters Awards is such a special event. I am very excited to be part of it, from the planning stages to having the privilege of serving as this year’s emcee,” said Danielle Bechta SAS’11, immediate past RAA President and 2016 Award recipient. “It’s a wonderful night for recipients and their families to celebrate together – and I can speak from personal experience about what a big moment it is to receive this award. Now I get to see this year’s honorees shine and enjoy a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives.” Bechta’s prior RAA roles include vice President and secretary, as well as chair of the RAA Young Alumni Committee.
The RAA Loyal Sons and Daughters Award is the organization’s highest recognition of volunteer service, celebrating the exceptional achievements of each nominee. Nominations are made by past recipients, and selections are made by the RAA Loyal Sons and Daughters committee and the RAA Board of Directors.
The RAA Loyal Sons and Daughters are typically presented annually each Spring. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the 2020 celebration was postponed to March 26, 2022.
Denniston E. Bonadie is a graduate of Rutgers College Class of 1992. He earned his master’s degree in City and Regional Planning in 2001 and was inducted into the Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance (RAAA) Hall of Fame in 2005 for his work as co-founder of the Global Literacy Project. Since 2015, Denniston has been the RAAA’s Digital Village Coordinator, advancing the organization’s social media presence and community outreach efforts. As the RAAA Paul Robeson Plaza Campaign co-lead, Denniston assisted the Class of 1971 Milestone Committee to build Robeson Plaza. He also served as co-host of the Paul Robeson Footsteps walking tour, where he and another Rutgers graduate were given the rare opportunity to ring the Old Queens Bell. In 2019, Denniston was awarded the RAAA’s Keeper of the Legacy Award which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the preservation and continuation of the RAAA legacy.
A member of the first graduating class of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), Dorothy Cantor has served her school and Rutgers University for over 44 years. She assisted in the development of a continuing education program for GSAPP and throughout the years has been a mentor to countless psychology graduate students. She is also an active member of the GSAPP Alumni Organization. In 2009, Cantor was appointed to the Rutgers Board of Trustees – serving as Chair from 2013-2014, where she was involved in critical negotiations that led to the University gaining two medical schools while retaining the Camden campus. Her steady leadership through those turbulent times helped to shape Rutgers as we know it today. Cantor is also a member of the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni and, since 2014, she has sat on the Rutgers Board of Governors, currently serving as vice chair.
Dr. Alan M. Crosta, Jr. graduated from Rutgers College in 1986 with highest honors, earning a bachelor of science in chemistry. In addition to being a Henry Rutgers Scholar, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Crosta graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 1990 and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical School Honor Society. He completed his Anesthesia Residency at Harvard Medical School – Beth Israel Hospital in 1994, and is immediate past chair of the department of anesthesiology and a member of the emeritus staff at Morristown Medical Center. Crosta served as a member of the RU Foundation Board of Directors from 2009 to 2021, and has been a member of the RU Board of Trustees since 2013. He also serves on the RU Board of Trustees Committee on Philanthropy as well as the Board of Governors Committee on Audit. He previously served on the Board of Governors Committee on Finance and Facilities, Intercollegiate Athletics, Academic and Student Affairs, and Health Affairs. Crosta and his wife, Mary-Lynn, are members of the President’s Council – Hardenberg Circle, the Society of 1766, and the Rutgers Loyalty Society.
Ron Ghilino has been an active member of the RAA, serving as a member of Grants and Gifts, Homecoming/Reunion and Communications committees. He then took on leadership roles as Chair, Co-Chair, and Tri-Chair of these same committees. Ghilino also served as RC’80 class correspondent and class president, and was a member of the 35th Class Reunion Campaign Committee. His involvement with Rutgers also includes the RU Foundation, for which he helped raise one million dollars. Ghilino’s love for Rutgers has been a “family affair” through the years. He is married to a DC’80 alumna – and their three children are also proud Rutgers graduates (SAS’11, SAS’14, and SAS’15).
Debra Ann Lynch has been an active alumna for decades. In 2005 she became a member of the board of directors of the Associate Alumna of Douglass College (AADC) and ascended to leadership positions within the organization – serving first as vice president of programs. She was also recognized by the AADC with the Margaret T. Corwin Award for Alumnae Service. Currently, Lynch serves as first vice president of the newly created Alumni Relations Department which seeks to cultivate alumnae volunteers. In addition to her leadership roles with the AADC, Lynch is in her second term on the RU Board of Trustees where she has served on the RU Board of Governors Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees Student Affairs Committee, and the Rutgers Research Education Foundation. She presently serves as Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Since 1981, Jim Savage has provided service and leadership to the Cook Alumni Association – including roles as Executive Board member, Chair of the Kilmer Oak Project, and member of the Golf Outing, Earth Day, and AG Field Day Committees. Savage served as class agent for the Cook College Class of ’71, career mentor, and volunteer for the annual Phonathon Campaign, Run for Rutgers Against Hunger, Homecoming, and Reunion Planning Committees. A true champion of Rutgers, his service also includes the Rutgers Class of 1971 and the Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including: the 62nd Annual Ashmead Leadership Award for establishing the Class ‘71 Merit Scholarship (1998); the RUAA Block R Award for endowing the Dr. Jean Wilson Day Memorial Scholarship, in honor of one of the few female professors at a time when Rutgers was all-male (2011); and the RUAA Excellence in Alumni Leadership Volunteer of the Year Award (2017) for envisioning the Class Gift for its 45th Anniversary—to build the Paul Robeson Plaza on College Avenue.
Brian Tobin currently serves on the RAA Executive Committee as President. He has been involved with RAA for over 25 years, and previously held the leadership positions of vice president and secretary. Tobin’s contributions to RAA also include roles as Class Correspondent and Communications Committee Tri-Chair, member, and writer. He has served on the RAA Long-Range Planning Committee as well as Grants and Gifts and the Communications Committee. Tobin is the first recipient ever of an alumni Pop Up Parade from the Rutgers Scarlet Council. He also serves as Treasurer and a founding member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the Rutgers Graduate School of Newark.
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