Alumni News

Students stand in a line waiting to walk across the stage the 2026 Commencement ceremony wearing navy blue caps and gowns.

(Photo: W. Scott Giglio)

Graduates assemble to walk across the stage at Commencement 2026. This year’s ceremony was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with 2,521 students receiving degrees. Student Pinnacle Awards went to Marium Rizvi, BS’26 (Flor), and Emily Jacobelli, BA’26 (Metro). Lieutenant General (retired) Mark Hertling delivered the Commencement address and received an honorary degree. The Class of 2026 represents 60 countries and 37 states and territories. Congrats to all our new alumni!

A Night Out to Meet and Mingle

Four women and one man stand together against a bright green backdrop.

From left, at the social, the Young Alumni Association executive board: Matthew Armendinger, BS’20 (Flor); Skyler Schwenk, AA’18, BA’20, MHMS’24 (Metro); Amaya Morales, BA’22, MS’24 (Metro); Jasmine Mathai, BS’23, MBA’24 (Flor); and Lisa-Monet Jefferson, BS’22, MBA’24 (Metro).

Approximately 40 alumni attended the second annual Young Alumni Social at Son Cubano in West New York, N.J., in May. Attendees sipped drinks and ate appetizers, chatted and socialized.

Follow the Young Alumni Association on Instagram at @fdu_yaa. Alumni can also reach out via fduyoungalumni@gmail.com

Evening of Impact Celebrates Donors and Scholars

A woman wearing a tan suit stands at a podium giving a speech surrounded by FDU banners.

Alicia Flechas, BSN’26 (Metro), speaks about the impact of receiving a scholarship. (Photo: Elena Mitchell)

This year’s evening of impact, held on March 26, 2026, celebrated philanthropy in action, and the students whose lives are being transformed.

Nearly 5,500 students received donor-funded scholarships this past academic year. Nearly $2 million was awarded in private and endowed scholarships for the Fall 2025 semester alone. More than 3,500 donors, alumni and friends invested in FDU students. “This is what collective giving looks like,” said FDU President Michael Avaltroni.

Two men in blue suits stand together in Hennessy Hall on the Florham Campus.

Former FDU President Sheldon Drucker and current FDU President Michael Avaltroni. (Photo: Elena Mitchell)

Alumni, donors, students, families and faculty met and mingled at the event, which was held at Hennessy Hall on the Florham Campus. 

Alicia Flechas, BSN’26 (Metro), a scholarship recipient and featured speaker, said, “Receiving this scholarship has relieved financial stress and allowed me to fully focus on my education, leadership roles and clinical experiences. You are not just supporting my education — you are supporting my future patients and the care I will one day provide.”

Elizabeth Saccoliti highlighted the Nicholas Saccoliti Memorial Scholarship, which honors her brother. The late Nicholas Saccoliti, BS’21 (Flor), an alumnus and athlete, left a lasting impression on the FDU community through his kindness, resilience and spirit. “For our family, this scholarship ensures that Nick’s legacy lives on through opportunity, community and the students who carry these values forward,” she said.

Two women and one man stand together at a table with a navy blue table cloth.

The Saccoliti Family, from left, Sherry, Steven and Elizabeth. (Photo: Elena Mitchell)

As the evening concluded, Avaltroni made clear the importance of philanthropy and scholarship.

“Because of donor generosity, a student stays enrolled. A future nurse gains confidence at a patient’s bedside. A first-generation student sees a path forward,” said Avaltroni. “This impact is immediate, personal and life changing.”

 

Longstanding Donors Recognized at Bogota Center

The University recently celebrated the rededication of the Elia and Mary Kay Stratis Lounge and the unveiling of the Dr. William L. O’Neill and Mrs. Frances C. O’Neill Hall of Fame. Both spaces are located in the Bogota Savings Bank Center on the Metropolitan Campus.

The lounge memorializes the profound and lasting impact of the late Elia Stratis, BS’67 (Ruth), MBA’76 (Metro), and Mary Kay Mastronardy Stratis, BA’69 (Ruth), MAT’71 (Metro). Mary Kay Stratis was an alumna and Board of Trustees member, whose philanthropy directly supported student success. In memory of the couple, a timeline mural depicts important moments in their lives.

The Hall of Fame honors William O’Neill, BS’67, DDS’70 (Metro), and Frances O’Neill, AA’07, BA’13 (Metro), whose leadership and generosity strengthened opportunities for student-athletes and scholars alike.

FDU Forward Gala

A group stands together surrounded by trees and grass.

Michael Avaltroni, University president, center, is flanked by this year’s FDU Forward honorees. (Photo: Elena Mitchell)

Alumni, donors and honored guests gathered on June 11 at the Florham Campus for a cocktail reception, dinner and awards ceremony.

The 2026 FDU Forward Gala raised $500,000 for student scholarships and honored outstanding alumni.

The FDU Forward Transformational Honoree was Victory Home Remodeling, headed by co-founder Matt Winters, BS’14 (Flor); his brothers Mike, BS’13 (Flor), regional vice president of residential marketing, and Bill, BS’10 (Flor), executive vice president of leadership and development. They were joined by their partner and friend Frank LaGuarina, BS’14 (Flor).

Alan Lee, MAS’11 (Metro), president of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH); the Bristol-Myers Squib Children’s Hospital at RWJUH in New Brunswick, N.J.; and the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, RWJBarnabas in New Brunswick; received the Lifetime Achievement Service to Health Award.

This year’s PINNACLE recipients are Dick Sweeney, MBA’86 (Ruth), co-founder of Keurig; Walter Tombs, BS’87 (Flor), retired chief financial officer for Jersey Mike’s Subs; and Rosemary Trinkle Baran, BS’83 (Ruth), manager of organizational development and talent management, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Athletics Achievers Named to Knights Hall of Fame

Four honorees were inducted into the Dr. William L. O’Neill and Mrs. Frances C. O’Neill Hall of Fame.

This year’s inductees include: Arvis Berzins, BS’15 (Metro), men’s tennis; J. Stevens Hurlbut, former director of athletics (1998–2002); Gabriela Santini, BS’18 (Metro), women’s golf; and Liat Vizenfeld, BA’15 (Metro), women’s bowling.

Becky Hammon, head basketball coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, received the Al LoBalbo Award, for “selfless service, tireless dedication and education through sport and significant contributions that transcend competition for the betterment of athletics and all involved.”

Out & About

Matching Sweatshirts & Degrees

Two women stand together in burgundy FDU sweatshirts at the Florham Campus.

Wendy Squeglia, BS’01 (Flor), left, and daughter Emma Squeglia, BS’26 (Flor), celebrate Emma’s graduation in matching sweatshirts and alumni spirit!

Sporting University Pride

A woman stands with a building behind her wearing a baseball cap and glasses.Diana McElroy, BA’02 (Flor), reps FDU on an evening out at Pub 178 in Teaneck, N.J. She was attending an alumni gathering to watch the Knights women’s basketball team compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Having a Field Day

A group of field hockey players stand on the field after an alumni game.Every spring, the Devils field hockey team hosts an alumni game. “It is such a fun day and it’s an opportunity to see former teammates and step back on the field,” said Jennifer Carr, head field hockey coach. This year’s participants included Stephanie Geskes, BS’16 (Flor); Kim Davis Sonner, BS’17, MBA’19 (Flor); Elizabeth Farnan, BA’21 (Flor); Lanie Andrews, BA’14, MAT’15 (Flor); Noelle Shirey, BA’17, MAT’18 (Flor); Erin Kay, BA’24 (Flor); Julianna Medina, BS’26 (Flor); Niki Ikeda Cummings, BA’15, MAT’16 (Flor); and Alicia Grotyohann, BA’16 (Flor).