The 40th Anniversary County College of Morris Gala, recently held at the Hyatt-Morristown, was a star-studded event that celebrated four decades of the college’s service to the community and raised a “net” of more than $75,000 for the general scholarship fund. Among the attendees was former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, who also served as the Honorary Chair of the 40th Anniversary celebration and joined more than 220 guests for the cocktail hour. Governor Kean also delivered the Gala’s opening remarks. Along with college President Edward J. Yaw, college trustees, administrators and foundation board members were other distinguished guests:
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Morris County Freeholder Director Gene Feyl, Freeholders Jack Shrier and Bill Chegwidden, and Bill Primus, CEO of the Urban League of Morris County.
Congressman Frelinghuysen presented President Yaw a Congressional resolution honoring CCM for four decades of academic excellence and for enriching the life of Morris County. In addition, Freeholder Director Feyl read a similar resolution from the Freeholders recognizing CCM on its anniversary. Resolutions were also received from Governor Jon Corzine, and State Senator Anthony Bucco and Assemblyman Alex De Croce on behalf of the New Jersey State Legislature.
During the event, guests bid on more than 60 silent auction items that included jewelry, tickets to Broadway shows and resort packages. The silent auction raised nearly $14,000 and a raffle added an additional $10,500 toward the evening’s proceeds.
During the awards presentation that preceded the dinner, special 40th Anniversary awards were presented to Walter and Carol McDonald of Newton, N.J. for their philanthropy and support of the Performing Arts program, to W. Thomas Margetts of New Vernon, N.J. for 20 years of service on both the college’s board of trustees and the County College of Morris Foundation board of directors, and to Professor Robert Gebhardt of Hopatcong, N.J. for 40 years of teaching excellence. Professor Gebhardt is also the last remaining member of the original faculty of 1968.
Alumni awards were also presented to Dr. Patricia Hurley ’70 of Bloomfield, N.J., as Alumni Humanitarian; Neal Stanton ’89 of Bridgewater, N.J., for Alumni Achievement; Eileen Paragano ’91 of Bernardsville, N.J. for Alumni Service; and Dr. Edward E. Boas, Jr. ’70 of Chesapeake City, Md., as Alumnus of the Year.