Silberman College of Business celebrates the return of Hall of Fame Gala

From left to right: Timothy Gearty, Claudia Healy, FDU President Christopher A. Capuano, Micheline Nader, Dr. François Nader

By Alex Molini

September 17, 2021 — Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business celebrated its Hall of Fame Gala — an event honoring the educational legacy of school namesake Samuel “Buddy” Silberman — at Hennessy Hall on the Florham Campus on Friday, Sept. 17.

The event honored accomplished alumni and benefactors and raised funds for student scholarships and academic programming.

Timothy Gearty, BS’77; Claudia Healy, BS’92, MBA’94; Francois Nader; and FDU Board of Trustees member Micheline Nader were awarded the Silberman College of Business Hall of Fame Award for Changing Lives. RWJBarnabas Health received the 2021 Buddy Silberman Award for Social Change.

Timothy Gearty, the national director and editor-in-chief for Becker CPA Review, was honored for his work as a speaker and instructor of accounting and taxation information. He is also a partner in Gearty & McIntyre, LLP, CPA, which offers business advisory services, litigation support and forensic accounting.

Claudia Healy, the chief human resources officer for the STO Building Group, was recognized for her work as an influential part of promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Francois Nader, chairman of Acceleron Pharma, Talaris Therapeutics and Benevolent AI, was recognized for his work on delivering life-saving therapies to patients suffering from rare diseases. He also serves as a board director of Moderna and Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

Micheline Nader, CEO of Jesra Foundation and author, was honored for her work managing a series of top-performing nursing homes. She also is the author of The Dolphin’s Dance: Discover Your True Self Through a Powerful 5-step Journey Into Conscious Awareness.

RWJBarnabas Health received the Buddy Silberman Award for Social Change for its initiatives in promoting health and wellness in communities all across New Jersey.

Members of the Silberman Board of Advisors, led by Richard Brenner, announced the launch of an endowed scholarship at the College, and during the gala, raised almost $50,000 for the fund. “Any gift to an endowed scholarship will be a gift that keeps on giving,” Brenner said. “Gifts to this fund will be invested, and only the earnings from the fund are awarded as scholarships to deserving students.” 

After the awards ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner and dancing to music by Richard Baratta and the Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet.