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The Rutgers Alumni Association’s Loyal Sons & Daughters Award is its highest recognition of service. Recipients are individuals who have made a meaningful and long-standing contribution to the betterment of Rutgers by performing extraordinary volunteer service or by making a significant impact on university life and culture.
Neilson Dining Hall
April 5, 2025
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Mark Angelson has served on the Rutgers Board of Governors, the University’s main governing body, since 2014. Governors receive no monetary compensation and devote countless hours to serving Rutgers. Mark chaired the Board of Governors from 2019-2022, and during that time served as an ex officio member of all Board committees . He served as the Board’s Vice Chair from 2017-2019 and again from 2022-2024. He chaired the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee from 2014-2019. Mark chaired the Board’s Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics from 2022-2024. He served on the Board’s Executive Committee 2014-2024, and as its Chair from 2019-2022. He was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2014, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2023, the University’s two highest honors. In 2016, Mark was the inaugural recipient of Rutgers Law School’s Alumni Leadership Award. His proudest accomplishment is having chaired the 2019-2020 Presidential Search Committee that recruited Jonathan Holloway as the 21st President of Rutgers University.
Downey, a resident of West Caldwell, NJ graduated from Rutgers in 1979. His whole adult life has been dedicated to service, first as a Boy Scout, then as an undergraduate as a brother of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), the national service fraternity. One of the three cardinal principles of APO is service, including service to your university.
After graduating, Downey served on the Board of the Rutgers Business School Alumni Association (RBSAA). He led an educational event for the RBSAA with the New Jersey Ssymphony orchestra in 2011. For that event, Downey received the Ernest E. McMahon Award from the Rutgers University Alumni Association for creative programming.
Currently, Downey is an advisor to the head coach and team mentor for the Rutgers University Women’s Golf team. He designed and led a fund-raising program to allow each scholarship athlete to have custom golf clubs, closing the gap with all of the other Bbig Tten programs. In 2019, women’s golf recognized his service to the team and to the community with the Don and Penny Pray Service Award.
Downey is also Co-Chair of the board of the Child Health Institute of NJ (CHINJ), part of RWJ Medical School. CHINJ’s mission is to improve child health, focused on neurodevelopment issues like autism, immunological diseases like type-1 diabetes and IBD, metabolic disorders like obesity and such maternal health issues as pre-term labor.
Earl, a resident of Monroe, NJ, has been active with the Cook College Alumni Association the university for decades, serving multiple three-year terms on the executive board. No job is too small for Earl, and he is considered an unsung hero. Earl has been serving as the Chair of the Cook Alumni Ag Field Day committee since 2004. Since 2014, Earl has also filled bellies by serving as a fryer at the Cook Alumni Fish Fry. For more than two decades, Earl has worked behind the scenes as a member of the Federation homecoming committee, and as a volunteer for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences graduation.
Sharon Gant Yorlano DC’79 has selflessly served her class, the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and the University since her graduation in 1979. Over the past four decades Sharon has served in numerous class officer positions for her class. She has served on the AADC Board in various capacities, including VP of Alumnae Relations. Sharon has served on and chaired various committees at the AADC too numerous to mention here. For her ongoing dedication, commitment and service, the AADC presented Sharon the 2012 Alumnae Recognition Award and in 2019 the Corwin Award, the AADC’s highest award for volunteer service.
Jonathan Holloway, a U.S. historian, took office as the 21st president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, on July 1, 2020. He also serves as a University Professor and Distinguished Professor.
Prior to accepting the presidency of Rutgers, Dr. Holloway was provost of Northwestern University from 2017 to 2020 and a member of the faculty of Yale University from 1999 to 2017. At Yale, he served as Dean of Yale College and the Edmund S. Morgan Professor of African American Studies, History, and American Studies.
President Holloway’s scholarly work specializes in post-emancipation U.S. history with a focus on social and intellectual history. He is the author of African American History: A Very Short Introduction and The Cause of Freedom: A Concise History of African Americans (Oxford University Press, February 2023 and February 2021, respectively). He also published Confronting the Veil: Abram Harris Jr., E. Franklin Frazier, and Ralph Bunche, 1919-1941 (2002), and Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory and Identity in Black America Since 1940 (2013), both with the University of North Carolina Press. He edited Ralph Bunche’s A Brief and Tentative Analysis of Negro Leadership (New York University Press, 2005) and coedited Black Scholars on the Line: Race, Social Science, and American Thought in the Twentieth Century (Notre Dame University Press, 2007). He wrote the introduction for the 2015 edition of W.E.B. Du Bois’s Souls of Black Folk (Yale University Press), and is working on a new book, A History of Absence: Race and the Making of the Modern World.
Dr. Holloway, who began his academic career at the University of California, San Diego, received a bachelor’s degree with honors in American studies from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in history from Yale University.
He serves on boards of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Gates Cambridge Trust, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Universities Research Association, the Institute of International Education, and the Academic Leadership Institute.
Dr. Holloway is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Society of American Historians. He is a Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations.
He is married to Aisling Colón. They have a daughter, Emerson, and son, Ellison.
Nimesh, a 1990 graduate of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, has a long history of giving back to his alma mater, not only to the School of Pharmacy by serving on the Pharmacy Advisory Board and the Dean’s Leadership Council, but also to Rutgers University as a member of the Board of Trustees as an Alumnus Trustee from 2011 to 2023. Nimesh was a member of the Board of Governors’ Committees on Audit and Health Affairs and even served as the inaugural chair of the Committee on Health Affairs in recognition of his healthcare experience, a role traditionally held by members of the Board of Governors. Nimesh was also a member of the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; Task Force on Legislative Engagement, Nominating Committee, Task Force on Assessment, Executive Committee, and Rutgers Research Educational Foundation. Nimesh was elected Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2021 and Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2022. Upon the end of his term, Nimesh’s peers on the Board elected him a Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his service to the boards and to the University. Nimesh also served on the 2019 Presidential Search Committee that resulted in the hiring of Jonathan Holloway and was the commencement speaker for the School of Pharmacy’s convocation in 2003 and 2013. And if that wasn’t enough, Nimesh’s love for Rutgers is ever present, as his wife,Sejal Jhaveri, is a graduate of the Rutgers University College of Nursing.
Dr. Korotky, a resident of Toms River, NJ is being recognized for his nearly decade-long individual and leadership contributions to the renovation, maintenance, documentation, accessibility, and promotion of Rutgers’ historic Daniel S. Schanck Observatory, which was established in 1865, and its vintage refractor telescope.
In the fall of 2015, upon learning that The Cap & Skull Society and Rutgers University were nearing the completion of their joint project to save and renovate the observatory, which had fallen into disrepair, Korotky put together a team of dedicated individuals to locate, recover, restore, and repatriate its main telescope. The Prin telescope, which Steve and his wife Pat (nee’ Benting, RC’76, B.A., Biological Mathematics) had the opportunity to use as undergraduates and members of the Rutgers Astronomical Society, had been disassembled and removed roughly 14 years after it and the Observatory were last used to teach astronomy in 1980. Korotky secured permission to search for the Prin telescope from the Dean of Mathematics and Physical Sciences on behalf of the university and located it in the possession of the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey at their facility in New Jersey’s Jenny Jump State Forest. His team learned that the Prin had been there in storage since being relocated in 1994. The then newly-formed UACNJ consortium had been unable to make use of the Prin because two critical parts had been taken or misplaced prior to it being removed from the Schanck. Unfortunately, several other key parts were also lost during its time in the forest, and to date none of the missing parts have been found. But that did not deter Korotky and his team from their goal of completing an essential aspect of the renovation of the Observatory – reinstating the Prin as its functional centerpiece.
With the help of the two other members of the core team – friends and fellow physicists Mihaela Dinu and Bob Brubaker – Steve and Pat gathered up the roughly 600 pounds of the Prin that remained at Jenny Jump and drove them to their home where Steve began the process of disassembling, inventorying, and restoring the surviving pieces of the telescope. By June of 2016 he had restored the individual pieces of the Prin coincident with the rededication of the renovated Schanck Observatory on its 150th anniversary. By December of that same year the team had reassembled the Prin telescope in the Schanck Observatory, albeit with nonfunctioning mockups of the several critical missing components. Over the course of the next two years Steve researched, designed, and received unsolicited donations to make functional replicas of nearly all the missing parts. And on the evening of Friday, May 25, 2018, the moon was viewed through the Prin telescope in the Schanck Observatory – an event that had not happened there in more than 38 years.
To this day, Steve and Pat have continued to provide educational tours of the observatory – hosting over one thousand individuals and retelling the history of the Schanck Observatory, its importance in expanding the teaching of science at Rutgers, and the story of its telescope’s remarkable journey and meticulous restoration.
Gloria Vanderham has demonstrated devotion to Rutgers University since her time as a student On the Banks. During her tenure, she actively participated in a variety of campus organizations, serving as a member of the Kirkpatrick Chapel choir, Delta Gamma Fraternity, and a preceptor to first-year and sophomore students. She also held several prominent leadership positions within the Rutgers Panhellenic and Northeast Panhellenic Councils. In her junior year, Gloria was tasked with leading marketing and communications efforts for the revived Rutgers University Dance Marathon—an annual fundraising event that began in New Brunswick in 1971 but was later discontinued in the late 1980s. Under her leadership, the spring 1999 edition of the RU Dance Marathon proved to be a resounding success. Gloria was one of two students chosen to represent the School of Communications and Information at the 2000 Rutgers University commencement.
Since then, Gloria has consistently given back to her alma mater, acting as a mentor, sharing insights about her career path with students, and serving in various alumni leadership roles. These roles include co-chairing the Class of 2000 15th Reunion Committee and holding various positions within the Rutgers University Alumni Association, such as Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair, and chairing multiple committees. Gloria played an instrumental role in engaging alumni across a wide range of Rutgers communities, fostering a culture of engagement and inclusivity. A highly recognizable Rutgers University Alumni ambassador, Gloria actively promotes the university’s mission and achievements at numerous University and Foundation events, as well as through online forums and her personal social media channels.
Gloria’s strategic contributions have been integral to connecting, shaping, and advising alumni philanthropy and engagement strategies for external campaigns, such as Scarlet Forever, We aRe yoU, and Rutgers Giving Day. Gloria is also a vital ambassador for the upcoming Rutgers Takes on the Garden State campaign. Gloria was selected to serve on the 22nd Presidential Search Committee. Gloria’s dedication and achievements were recently recognized with the prestigious School of Communication & Information Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Gloria’s Scarlet roots run deep, as numerous family members—including her older brother, husband, younger brother, sister-in-law, and even her mother— also hold credentials from Rutgers University. Her commitment to alma mater is further strengthened as her son continues the family tradition, currently attending Rutgers University’s School of Arts and Sciences as a first-year student.
Individual tickets are $125 per guest.
Tables are $1000 for 8 guests.
The 2024 Loyal Sons and Daughters Dinner Will Be Held on
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Neilson Dining Hall
Cook/Douglass Campus of Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
The Award is given to recognize exemplary service on behalf of the RAA, one’s reunion class, or other alumni service affiliated with the University. To nominate a worthy individual, please download and complete the form below.
Neilson Dining Hall, Cook/Douglass Campus of Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Six Rutgers University alumni have been designated Loyal Sons and Loyal Daughters by the Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA). The honorees were inducted during a gala held at Neilson Dining Hall on the Cook/Douglass Campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Greg Bedard, having been elected a Class of ’97 officer, was involved with the Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) even before graduation. Over the years, Bedard was class agent, class president and a member of the RAA Alumni Council. Post-graduation, Bedard quickly became immersed in other RAA alumni activities as well, serving on the Young Alumni and Reunion committees. He served as the editor of the Young Alumni Newsletter and helped to plan Reunion Weekend, class dinners and a host of other events. Outside of the RAA, Bedard became active in the Cap and Skull Society. As an undergraduate, he served as President/High Skull of his class year. As an alumni, Bedard served on the alumni executive committee and contributed to the planning of the centennial anniversary celebration for C&S, as well as their ambitious plan to restore the Shank Observatory. He co-founded the Prudential Rutgers Connection (Pru-RU Connection) which is composed of over 1,000 Rutgers alumni employed at Prudential and fosters collaboration and community engagement between Prudential Financial, Rutgers University, and the City of Newark. Bedard has also served on the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) Board of Directors participating in numerous committees and leadership positions including Corporate Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. During his time as Chair, Bedard had to manage transitions in university leadership, including Vice President for Alumni Relations and University President amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Patrick Gardner is a Distinguished Professor of Music at the Mason Gross School of the Arts and is best known for being director of the Rutgers University Glee Club and the Rutgers University Kirkpatrick Choir. When it comes to brand ambassadors, Gardner is head and shoulders above them all when it comes to his promotion of Rutgers. Gardner’s passion for Rutgers goes beyond what would be expected of him as a Rutgers employee. He is a tireless supporter and advocate for the University. Dr. Gardner’s infectious passion for all things Rutgers is the ultimate super-spreader of Scarlet Fever! He is a master at keeping alumni engaged with their alma mater – not just Glee Club alumni but all Rutgers graduates. He takes the term “brand ambassador” to another level when it comes to promoting the university. Gardner’s promotion of Rutgers has inspired countless students to enroll at the University and has inspired large numbers of alumni to become more engaged with Rutgers.
Tina Gordon ’72 has served with distinction on the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, including two terms as President. She also served several terms as Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Treasurer and currently as Secretary. She also served a term as President of the Class of 1972 and as Alumnae Council Representative. Gordon has participated on the Strategic Planning Committee, chaired The AADC Society of Excellence Selection Committee, and the Public Relations Team. During the quarantine, she created the online series “Tea with Tina” to bring alumnae together virtually for informal and fun discussions. She has contributed her time and expertise to successfully expand communications across all platforms. Gordon is an active participant in all the programs in the AADC’s Women’s Lifelong Learning Initiative, mentored young alumnae in the AADC Alumnae Mentoring Program and presented a workshop on retirement as part of the AADC’s Victoria Dabrowski Schmidt ’42 Workplace and Professional Development Symposium. She also chaired the marketing and communications effort for the 100th Anniversary of the AADC in 2022, appearing on several NJ TV programs to promote the organization’s highly successful 100th Anniversary “Proud History to Bright Future” Gala celebration.
Gordon received the AADC’s highest honor for service, the Margaret T. Corwin Award, in 2015, and she was inducted into the AADC Society of Excellence in 2021. She was honored by the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs and Douglass Residential College as a Woman of Achievement in 2019.
Gordon is a dedicated Rutgers women’s basketball fan, a season ticketholder for 20 years and an active member of the official fan club, the Cagers Club. She created the club’s website in 2011 and continues to keep it updated and fresh. She serves as the Cagers social media representative, promoting the team through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and she is the unofficial Club photographer. She is a recipient of the Cagers Club Service Award. Gordon’s loyalty, enthusiasm, service and financial support to alma mater have been unwavering since her graduation more than 50 years ago.
Anu Khare DC ’00 has been an active and dedicated Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) volunteer since 2010, when she attended her first alumni-student speed networking event. Since that time, she has worked behind the scenes or in leadership roles to organize events for RAA members and their families. Khare has been active with events and programs held by RAA and the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College.
Khare’s volunteer efforts in supporting Rutgers University have been limitless. She is involved in several committees, and currently co-chairing the RAA Membership Services and RAA/School of Arts and Sciences Alumni-Students Connection committees. As a co-chair of the Connection Committee, one of the four RAA Strategic Pillars, Khare has been relentless in attending student events and inviting them to participate in our committee, so that they learn about RAA and the multitude of benefits it offers to students before they graduate. She is helping to establish the Rutgers Asian Alumni Association, where she is taking a hands-on role in shaping the organization for future collaborations for more alumni with diverse backgrounds to become engaged with Rutgers.
Mary Papamarkou has a history of service to the Rutgers University alumni constituents and the Rutgers University New Brunswick Community for over 30 years. As an undergraduate, she was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority and a Rutgers Panhellenic Council representative. Upon graduation she continued her involvement as an active volunteer with her chapter and the national organization and in 2018 was tapped to participate in an ad-hoc Rutgers University Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Task Force. Papamarkou has been a passionate advocate for the Rutgers student experience and has sought out opportunities since her graduation to give back to her beloved community: she has mentored Douglass College students, as well as Student Athletes with her participation in the Rutgers Leadership Academy. She is a valued and active member of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) Investment Committee. Through her participation on the Rutgers University Foundation Board of Directors, Papamarkou gained exposure to the team leading Rutgers Veterans and Military Program Services. She has advocated for this population within and outside the Rutgers community. In recognition of those efforts, Papamarkou was awarded the RVMPS Eagle Award, which is presented to those in the community who have exhibited outstanding leadership and dedicated their time to the success of military affiliated students at Rutgers. Papamarkou has been a member of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees since 2016 and has served on many committees, including several Board of Trustees/Board of Governors joint committees. She chaired the Task Force on Philanthropy and is an active supporter of Scarlet Promise Grants.
Nicole Setzer, Eng ’08, a Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) Class of 1931 award winner, started her alumni involvement shortly after graduation as a member of the Rutgers University Bands Alumni Association (RUBAA). In 2009, she was elected to RUBAA’s Executive Board as Membership Chair, then moved to Member at Large, followed by multiple terms as President. Setzer currently serves as Membership Chair of RUBAA. 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the Rutgers Marching Band and Setzer was an integral member of the steering committee that produced both a successful fundraising campaign and a memorable celebration during Homecoming. As president of RUBAA, Setzer became a member of the RAA Board of Directors where her service to Rutgers and the RAA became supercharged with various leadership positions with the RAA including chairing the Homecoming/Reunion and Alumni Family Day Committees and serving as vice-president of the RAA. Setzer has been an active member of the Undergraduate Committee and currently serves on the Nominations Committee. The tricky tray at the RAA Holiday Party would not be the same without her active participation. Outside the RAA, Setzer has served as a Rutgers University Alumni Association Reunion volunteer and an Alumni Panel Speaker for the Rutgers Institute of Industrial Engineers. She has also participated in the Knight of Networking for Student Athletes as an alumni letterwinner industry professional.
Individual tickets are $125 per guest.
Tables are $1000 for 8 guests.
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