Funding to Support Nursing Students
County College of Morris (CCM) announced on Monday, April 16, that it has received an historic gift of $976,000 
from the Estate of Dominic and Catherine Bencivenga, bringing the family’s total giving to the college to more than $1 million. This gift, given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Bencivenga’s children, Gary and Cathy Jo Bencivenga, is directed to providing scholarships to the college’s nursing students.
The more than $1 million in total giving represents the largest private gift ever given to the college. The CCM Foundation, under the direction of Katie Olsen, was notified of this extraordinary gift by the Trustee of the Bencivenga Estate, Beverly Brown.
Brown stated that “Gary and Cathy Jo attended CCM and Dominic and Catherine sought to provide a legacy in their children’s honor. Catherine was a registered nurse at Dover General Hospital and took great pride in how the nursing program has become one of the most sought after majors at CCM. Dominic and Catherine always viewed CCM as a philanthropic priority and in their planning for when they were no longer here; CCM was the place they knew their gift would have a lasting impact.”
CCM’s nursing program is recognized across the state for excellence and graduates of the program have among the highest first-time passing rates in the nation on the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), even exceeding students from baccalaureate programs in four-year colleges and universities.
Dr. Anthony Iacono, president of CCM, expressed his deep appreciation to the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Bencivenga, saying, “It is with great gratitude that CCM recognizes Mr. and Mrs. Bencivenga for their commitment to the college and to our outstanding nursing program. The Gary and Cathy Jo Bencivenga Memorial Scholarship is vital to our students’ success in completing their nursing degrees. As a leader in health and allied sciences, CCM prepares students to go on to achieve extraordinary achievements in nursing at some of the finest medical institutions throughout the State of New Jersey and nationally. This gift, the largest private gift ever received at CCM, underwrites the futures of the students who seek to solidify their career in serving their communities.”
The CCM Foundation, established in 1987, is dedicated to raising funds for the college from its many constituents to support programs, scholarships, staff development and other projects that are not funded through tuition and public support.
William McElroy ’83, chair of the CCM Foundation Board of Directors, offered his thanks to the Bencivenga family, saying, “The CCM Foundation has been the cornerstone of philanthropic giving to the County College of Morris. Today, through this historic gift from the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Bencivenga, we are positioned to begin our 50th Anniversary celebrations with strength and gratitude for all who have come before us and for all who will join our efforts in offering CCM the support it needs to fulfill its mission.”
