Rider University and its president, Gregory Dell’Omo, have been named co-recipients of this year’s Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award.
The annual award, presented by the United Way of Greater Mercer County, goes to those who personify Marsh’s three core values: Caring, respect and responsibility. Dell’Omo will join this year’s other award winners:
· Jeannine Cimino: EVP and chief retail officer of William Penn Bank;
· Hal English: CEO of Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce;
· Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson: D- Trenton. The honorees will be recognized during the United in Impact Awards: Rising Together, on April 26 in Hamilton. NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka will be the keynote speaker.
United Way of Greater Mercer County CEO Sandra Toussaint said the annual event celebrates community champions who demonstrate leadership, passion and a commitment to a thriving and equitable community in their everyday life.
“It’s an honor to recognize this year’s community champions,” Toussaint said. “Each talented and distinguished champion has made a difference in a wide variety of ways — from helping students achieve their dreams, supporting the economic vitality of the community, to advocating for the needs of the most vulnerable.”
The organization inaugurated the Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award last year. Named in honor of the three-time Rider alumnus, it recognizes an individual, group or organization that exemplifies Marsh’s commitment to mental health, veterans, diversity and anti-racism, as well as those who give back to the community. Following Marsh’s death in January 2021 from complications of COVID-19, Rider renamed its veterans affairs office the Dr. Eugene Marsh Center for Veterans and Military Affairs last November. It is the first space at the University to be named for a Black alumnus. “Eugene was an extraordinary individual, and I’m so proud to have called him a friend,” Dell’Omo said. “Receiving this award means a lot to me personally, but it’s also a tribute to everyone at Rider who is working to continue his meaningful legacy. ”
Dell’Omo has served as Rider’s seventh president since 2015.
Under his leadership, the university has developed more than a dozen new undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including the university’s first doctoral program. It also launched its signature Engaged Learning Program in 2017 and its Inclusive Excellence Plan in 2019.
Rider has experienced record-breaking fundraising during his tenure, including the largest gift in university history, and an increase of approximately 36% in the university’s endowment.
Proceeds from the event will directly provide food, rental assistance, health insurance access, tax preparation services, financial coaching and other resources to help individuals and families get ahead.
For more information and tickets, click here. uwgmc.org/unitedimpactawards
