More Than $288,000 in Support of Scholarships Raised at William Paterson University’s 26th Annual Legacy Award Gala Honorees included Distinguished Alumnus Joseph Riccitelli ‘85 and the Tinker Foundation Honorees Joseph Riccitelli ’85, general manager and executive vice president, RCA Records, and Renate Rennie, president, Tinker Foundation, with Kathleen Waldron, president, William Paterson University Click here for more photos William Paterson University’s Foundation raised more than $288,000 in support of scholarships at its 26th annual Legacy Award Gala held on Thursday, April 21, 2015 at The Grove in Cedar Grove. This is the second highest amount of funds raised in the history of the gala, second only to the $300,000 raised at the 25th annual event. The gala is the Foundation’s largest event to raise funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence. Joseph Riccitelli ’85, general manager and executive vice president and of RCA Records, and the Tinker Foundation were honored for their philanthropy, leadership, and community service at the event. “Support for the Legacy Award Gala demonstrates our commitment to raising funds that enable our students to succeed,” says Kathleen Waldron, University president. “All proceeds directly benefit student scholarships.” “Joseph Riccitelli and the Tinker Foundation have both made a significant impact on the William Paterson University community,” says Pamela Ferguson, vice president for institutional advancement. “On behalf of the entire University community, I thank them for their partnership, leadership, and friendship.” In his role at RCA Records, Joe Riccitelli ’85 is responsible for promoting some of the hottest names in contemporary pop music, including P!NK, Justin Timberlake, Foo Fighters, Usher, Britney Spears and Pitbull. He spearheads all aspects of pop promotion for more than 100 artists and also oversees the company’s music licensing and brand partnership departments. Previously, as executive vice president, promotion at RCA Records, he led his team to secure over 100 number one records – 35 of those at the Top 40 format. He continues to champion the label’s burgeoning superstars Sia, Miguel, Walk the Moon, Elle King, G-Eazy, Tinashe, and the Bleachers. A 1985 graduate of William Paterson, Riccitelli majored in communication and was a deejay and public relations director for campus radio station WPSC. A senior year internship at Polygram Records in the promotion department turned into a job offer for this music fan. Riccitelli has been a big supporter of the University’s music management program, serving as a guest lecturer and a visiting resident music industry expert. The Tinker Foundation, which was honored as a Distinguished Foundation, was founded in 1959 by Edward Larocque Tinker, an American philanthropist and writer who was deeply interested in the culture and people of Latin America. Under the leadership of Renate Rennie, president of the Tinker Foundation since 1996, the Foundation has worked to promote social justice, improve democratic institutions, encourage educational innovation and drive environmental renewal in Latin America. To leverage its resources, Tinker has developed a well-regarded reputation for identifying and funding cutting-edge projects that have the potential to produce dramatic, positive change and, eventually, attract additional support. For example, Tinker was one of the earliest funders of pro-bono legal service units in Latin America that have benefitted thousands of people who would not otherwise have had access to quality legal counsel. Pro-bono is now well established throughout the region. In similar fashion, Rennie championed the establishment of the TinkerMuse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica. This commitment to research and education is reflected in Tinker’s long-time support for Latin American studies programs at major U.S. universities. As a Hispanic-serving institution, William Paterson has a deep commitment to Latino culture and history. Five years ago, Rennie helped to launch the Tinker Foundation Latin American Lecture Series which has brought 20 world-class scholars, authors, journalists and other prominent Latins to the William Paterson campus. William Paterson University is a leading public university in New Jersey with more than 11,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate academic programs offered by five academic colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Located on 370 hilltop acres in Wayne, the university offers a wide range of learning opportunities in its classrooms, laboratories and studios, and provides housing for nearly 2,700 students. The institution’s 404 full-time faculty are highly distinguished and diverse scholars and teachers, including 411 Fulbright scholars and recipients of numerous other awards, grants, and fellowships. The institution’s more than 67,000 alumni can be found throughout New Jersey, the nation, and the world. 05/16/16
