This year’s event, “A Star-Spangled Celebration,” acknowledged the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of those who have served in our armed forces. Vanessa Williams provided the evening’s entertainment.
Since its inception in 1995, Celebration has raised nearly $5 million in endowed scholarship funds, ensuring that top-quality higher education is accessible to talented, motivated students.
“I am proud to say that NJIT students, on average, graduate with nearly three job offers in hand and starting salaries nearly 20 percent higher than the national average,” said NJIT President Joel S. Bloom. “That success continues throughout their lives, as has been documented by numerous external validations. It’s clear that an NJIT education can be transformational. That is why tonight is so important and why I am so appreciative of all of you, whose donations, ticket purchases, sponsorships, and gifts in kind contribute to this important cause.”
Judy Valyo, dean emerita at NJIT and a member of the Board of Visitors for NJIT’s College of Science and Liberal Arts, and John McCann, operations executive with Con Edison Competitive Energy Solutions and a member of NJIT’s Board of Overseers, served as co-chairs of this year’s event.
Along with raising funds, Celebration also is an occasion to recognize important friends and graduates of the university.
Known as one of the top engineers in New Jersey, Theodore D. Cassera ’72, executive vice president at Bowman Consulting Group, received the Edward F. Weston Medal for Professional Achievement, given to an alumnus in recognition of outstanding professional and civic accomplishments, as well as support of the university. Cassera established a family scholarship in 2006. He is a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and has supported the student chapter’s Beta Alpha house in the Greek Village.