INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University’s 30th Annual Legacy Award Gala on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 will celebrate the Year of Women in recognition of the centennial anniversary of the women’s right to vote. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Legacy Gala has been postponed from April 23 to June 24, 2020. All sponsorships previously purchased will be honored for June 24.
Five honorees include:
“The Legacy Award Gala is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those who support William Paterson and higher education in New Jersey through their work and their philanthropy,” says Richard J. Helldobler, University president. “Most importantly, all proceeds from the event directly benefit student scholarships. For most of our students, scholarship support is what allows them to enroll and ultimately graduate, so it makes a huge difference in their lives.”
“This year, the 30th anniversary of the annual Legacy Award Gala, we are recognizing five extraordinary honorees to help us celebrate the Year of Women,” says Pamela Ferguson, vice president for institutional advancement. “We thank them for their partnership, leadership, and friendship.”
Lauren Locker earned a bachelor’s degree in business from William Paterson in 1979. After a variety of occupations that led to financial success, she became a certified financial planner and founded Locker Financial Services to help others understand financial concepts and build their own wealth. Twenty-eight years later, she has built Locker Financial Services into a company that services over 100 clients and has offices in two states. In 2012-13, she was elected as the National Chair of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the country’s leading organization for fee-only planners. Over the years, she has become a recognized expert on personal financial planning and is a popular speaker at conferences and professional gatherings.
Lourdes Cortez has been a member of William Paterson University’s Board of Trustees since 2014. She is president and CEO of North Jersey Federal Credit Union since 2005. Under her leadership, membership has significantly increased and currently exceeds 24,000 with the institution holding assets of $220 million. Cortez is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NJ Biz “Top Fifty Business Women of New Jersey,” “Women of Vision Award” and the “Women Changing Paterson” award. She was recognized as being the first Latina CEO of a credit union in New Jersey and saluted by Senator Nellie Pou during Women’s History Month. In May 2019 she received the Jefferson Award from the Office of the Governor of New Jersey for public service in the city of Paterson. She serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic.
In 1967 Henry and Marilyn established The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation. The Taub Foundation has made significant contributions to William Paterson University and supports the education of students through its scholarships and grants. The foundation’s long-held interests are in strengthening the community, enhancing education, and supporting health research. A continuing focus of the foundation is on local communities in Bergen and Passaic counties, in areas with the greatest needs, including Henry Taub’s hometown of Paterson.
A professor of nursing, Sandra De Young joined the William Paterson faculty in 1985. She served as chair of the nursing department, associate dean, and dean of the College of Science and Health, retiring from that position in 2012. She returned to the University in 2018 as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs while a search for a new provost was conducted. She has played a major role in numerous university initiatives, including serving as chair of the Faculty Senate and coordinator of a campus-wide analysis of academic programs. She also initiated the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program at the University, which is designed to help women students overcome barriers to careers in the science professions.
Kathleen Waldron, president emerita of William Paterson University served as president from 2010 to 2018. During her tenure, she guided development of the University’s Strategic Plan 2012-22, supported increased academic offerings, including William Paterson’s second doctoral program, the doctor of clinical psychology, and saw the University designated a Hispanic-serving institution. She oversaw an extensive building and renovation project that transformed academic facilities at the core of the campus, including University Hall and the science building. She led efforts to expand student opportunities beyond the classroom, including participation in civic engagement, undergraduate student research with faculty, and enhanced career development support, including establishment of the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute.
The gala is the Foundation’s largest event to raise funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence through student scholarships.
Tickets for the gala begin at $425; tables of 10 can be purchased for $5,000. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Grove in Cedar Grove, and includes a cocktail dinner reception and presentation of the Legacy Awards and Viennese desserts. For reservations, contact the Office for Special Events at 973-720-2478 or visit wpunj.edu/legacy.
