Distinguished Alumni
2016
2016 Inductees
GINA BOWSER - '80
Graduated from York Christian College; Certified as a chaplain with the USA Chaplain Association; Missionary at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens; Founder of the Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation; Recipient of the NAACP Community Service Award.
DANA BROWN - '85
Graduate and Hall of Fame inductee of Seton Hall University; Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays; Eight seasons as the Director of Scouting for the Washington Nationals; 26 consecutive years in professional baseball and three post-season runs.
DR. JOSE BUSTILLO - CLASS OF 2001
Graduated from Montclair State University and Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine; Completed double residencies in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of NJ; Serves as the Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and the Director of Outpatient Quality at Newark Beth Israel.
SUZANNE GARDNER - '82
Graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University; Served as Recreation Manager for the City of New Brunswick; Became the first female firefighter for the City of New Brunswick; volunteered personal time throughout the country building homes for those in need through Habitat for Humanity.
JACK JEGOU - '74
Graduated from Middlesex County College in the Hotel/Restaurant Management field; Serves as Associate Director of Food & Nutritional Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital; Recipient of the International Food Service Manufacturers Association Silver Plate Award.
BISHOP E. EARL JENKINS - '81
Graduated from Eastern Bible College and earned his Master of Theology from Freedom Bible College and Seminary; Founding Pastor of True Servant Church in Hamilton, NJ; accomplished gospel recording artist; songwriter, musician and producer; author of books “Don’t Hate your Enemies Just Step on Them” and “The Open-Faced Sandwich.”
ED MARKO - '61
Served his country from 1968-1974 and was Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant; Received the Registered Health Underwriter designation from The American College; Became a principal of Benefit Foundations; Provides Life and Group Health Benefits for the Public and Private sectors.
ISMAEL “MIKE” MONTANEZ - '75
Serves as New Brunswick’s Superintendent of Parks and Shade Trees; Received Certification in Public Works Management from Rutgers University Government Services Program; Coordinator of the Recycling and Clean Communities Program; Recipient of the “State Public Works Employee of the Year” award.
2015
2015 Inductees
Treena Davis-Trotman - '87
Graduated from Rutgers University; served as Project Manager at GENMAB Inc., and Site Manager Specialist with Johnson & Johnson PRD, LLC; and currently Project Administrator for the American College of Radiology Clinical Research Center.
Yanirys Diaz, MD - '99
Graduated from Rutgers University; received a medical degree at American University of the Caribbean; completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cooper University Hospital (Camden) and NY Methodist Hospital.
Jevon Gordon - '91
Graduated from Rutgers University; received a MBA from Purdue University; served as a Commissioned Bank Examiner for the FDIC and Consultant for Pricewaterhousecoopers; and currently serves on the Federal Reserve Board.
Shantay Mines - Class of 2003
Graduated from Drew University; received a Master’s in Psychology from Seton Hall University; author and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; CEO of SM International Consulting; and currently works for the Department of Veteran Affairs-Pasco County Florida Vet Center.
Russell Piparo - '57
Graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in Newark; owned and operated Russ’ Automotive Repair; Former Director of the NB Fire Department; former President of the NB F.M.B.A. and the Firemen’s Relief Association; Founding member of the Monsignor Mugnano Knights of Columbus Council #6572; and member of the NB Elks.
Diane Scott - '77
Deputy Attorney General for NJ, Division of Law; litigated 450 child abuse/ neglect cases as counsel for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency Section; served as lead attorney for the Essex County Post Termination Project; earned BS degree and MBA from the University of Southern California; and Law Degree from Rutgers University.
Jeffries Shein - '58
Graduated from Rutgers College; Infantry Officer from 1963 to 1964 in Korea with the U.S Army’s First Cavalry Division; served as Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve; NJ Licensed Real Estate Broker and owner of JGT Management Company, LLC.
Matthew L. Wright - '69
Graduated from Rider College; Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974; formed Piper Holdings, LLC; serves as Board of Directors Chairman of the NJ Manufacturers Insurance Company and the NJ Business and Industry Association.
2014
2014 Inductees
Cynthia Arocho - Class of 2000
Graduated from Princeton University and completed two Master’s degrees; joined Goldman Sachs & Company where she opened its office in Bangalore, India; traveled to 13 countries in Africa, working to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and women.
Carol A. Bonosaro - '57
Graduated from Cornell University and attended Georgetown University; served as Director of the Women’s Rights Unit of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; serves as President of the Senior Executives, the professional association representing the top career executives in the Federal government.
Donna Johnson Bullock, Esq - '96
Graduated from Rutgers University and Temple University Beasley School of Law; volunteers as legal consultant for various charitable organizations; currently serves as Special Assistant to Philadelphia City Council President.
Lenny Kaye - '63
Graduated from Rutgers University; performed his own music and wrote books on various music genres; served as a reporter and editor for various music magazines including Rolling Stone; Grammy nominee, record producer and lead guitarist for the Patti Smith Band.
Garvester Kelley - '74
Graduated from Hampton University and received a Master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary; served as a missionary in several African nations; served as a vice president at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity and currently serves as a Director at Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service & Learning at the University of Michigan.
Anthony L. Marchetta - '67
Graduated from Rutgers University and received two Master’s degrees from Rutgers; professional planner in both the public and private sectors; Gubernatorial appointee to the New Jersey Planning Commission; Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
Catherine Newling, Ph.D. - '86
Graduated from Rutgers University and received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania; taught writing at the University of Pennsylvania; was an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow; Deputy Director for Latin America in the United States Department of State.
Ronald M. Selby, MD - '69
Graduated from Rutgers University and the Autonomous University of Guadalajara Medical School; orthopedic surgeon, author and lecturer on medical practices and breakthroughs in orthopedics; active in clinical research and teaching; selected as Sports Medicine Professional of the Year.
2013
2013 Inductees
James M. Carman - '57
First African American Director of the New Brunswick Fire Department having oversight of a 102-member department; former Chief of the 182-member West Palm Beach Fire Department; member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Florida Fire Chief’s Association.
Joseph C. Faraci - '56
Attended Cornell and Bowling Green State Universities; Co-founder and Secretary/Treasurer of the Brunswick Fuel Company, CEO of Tri-County Supply Company; served as partner in D&J Real Estate Properties, IAC Manager of Universal Supply Group, Inc. and Director of the Eric B. Chandler Health Center.
Myriam Irizarry, Esq. - '73
Obtained B.A. degree from Rutgers College and Juris Doctorate from Rutgers-Newark School of Law; currently is the General Counsel for the elected Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller; serves as President of the Clearwater Bar Association; former Assistant Deputy Public Defender for the Middlesex County Public Defender’s Office.
John M. Paitakes, Ph.D - '61
Graduated from Bryant University and obtained a M.A. from Rider University and Ph.D. degree in Public Administration from the Union Institute; served as Vicinage Assistant Chief Probation Officer for the Somerset County Courts and Adjunct Professor in Criminal Justice at Raritan Valley Community College and Seton Hall University.
Janet L. Russell - '84
Graduated from Tuskegee University with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and Rider University with a M.A. in Information Technology Organizational Leadership; serves as Lead Engineer at Lockhead Martin, Inc.; formerly worked in senior positions at Mitsubishi Electronics, Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys, Inc. and Motorola.
Nicholas Santoro - '69
Received a B.A. degree in music from Rutgers College and M.A. in Education from Trenton State College; an award winning arts administrator having developed and directed innovative programs in East Brunswick and South Orange Maplewood School Districts; authored two books on school bands and served as President of the New Jersey Music Educators Association.
Joseph Silva, Jr., MD - '58
An expert in infectious diseases, received a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University, M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School, and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins University Hospital; currently serves as Professor of Internal Medicine and Dean Emeritus at the University Of California Davis School Of Medicine.
Natalie Bisheaba Swain - '93
Branded as Bisheaba EMA, celebrity make-up artist offering beauty and entertainment industry advice and services; some of her clients include: Roc-a-Fella, Bad Boy, Def Jam, Vin Diesel, Carson Daly, 50 Cent, Tyrese, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, and Keyshia Cole, in addition to Universal Record recording artists, Oscar, Emmy, Stellar award winners and MVP athletes.
2012
2012 INDUCTEES
Chairmen and CEO of Towers Watson and serves on the Board of Directors of the US-China Business Council, Maximus and Hudson Highland, a fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and the Conference of Consulting Actuaries, and has served as trustee of the Actuarial Foundation, received the prestigious Marco Polo Award from China.
Shabett D. Harper, MHA - '87
Government Contract Compliance Officer with Johnson & Johnson, specializing in the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry, Treasurer of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. graduate chapter, member of the National Association of Black Accountants and Institute of Internal Auditors.
Dee Marshall - '87
International speaker, certified coach and TV lifestyle personality, and President of the Dee Marshall Etc., founder of Girlfriends Pray and Managing Director of ThePowerSuite.com. She received the NAACP Community Service Award and National Association of Female Executives Women in Corporate Award and Wright Foundation Diamond Award.
Tap Masango - '89
Music Director and host of the afternoon drive at 102 JAMZ radio in Winston-Salem, NC, received SIN Magazine's Music Director of the Year Award in 2006 and nominated for Billboard Magazine's Music Director of the Year Award in 2005. Conducts the annual Toys for Tots with the United States Marines.
Robert N. Pangborn, Ph.D. - '69
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of the Pennsylvania State University and Professor of Engineering Mechanics, Chief Academic Officer for the University's Academic Colleges, Libraries, Facilities and Operations. He received the University's Provost Award for Collaborative Instruction and Curricular Innovation.
William 'Spaceman' Patterson - '72
Popular musician and consummate musical virtuoso, performer, producer, composer and arranger of all genres of music. Body of work includes music for "The Cosby Show," "A Different World," "Sesame Street," and "One Life to Live." Some of the performers he has worked with include Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Roberta Flack, and Eric Clapton.
Frank M. Pelly - '51
Served as Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery Commission, New Jersey Assemblyman, Middlesex County Freeholder, Councilman, Deputy Mayor and Board of Education member of North Brunswick. Registered pharmacist and former owner of Brunswick Pharmacy. Received the American Pharmaceutical Association Hubert Humphrey Award.
Nicholas C. A. Puleio, SBA - '64
Served as Business Administrator for the Boards of Education in Spotswood, Neptune, Lawrence and Brick. Appointed State Fiscal Monitor by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to provide financial oversight to the Camden City School District. Founder of Puleio & Strimple, LLC. Designated as a Mentor by the New Jersey Department of Education.
2011
2010 INDUCTEES
Vice President of Operations and Strategic Planning for AssureImmune, based in Boca Raton, FL, holds 16 patents, and lectures widely for universities and professional organizations.
Wanda Edwards, Psy.D - '85
Certified school psychologist, Clinical Supervisor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Co-owner/Operator of Kate's Kids, a social and educational development center for children.
Jeanne Habib - '84
Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs at T-Mobile overseeing the Puerto Rico and US Virgin Island markets and Executive Producer of Dynamic Multicultural CD entitled 'Ofrenda A Borinquen.'
Paul Russell Jr. - '82
Principal Engineer at InterDigital Communications Corporation, holds 8 patents, and instrumental in the development of Iridium, a digital wireless telephone and paging system that covers the Earth.
Dr. Steven H. Schneider - '66
Professor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Director of Diabetes Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Sharonda Weatherspoon - '91
Senior Director of Store Operations and Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren with responsibility for 140 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, formerly Director of Human Resources.
Dr. Sidney Whitman - '60
Chairman of Hamilton Dental Associates, PA., a pediatric and adult cosmetic dental practice, and Director of Pediatric Dentistry at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
E. Ronald Wright, Esq. - '65
Owner of The Wright Firm, a private law practice based in New Brunswick, NJ, and currently serves as Chief Municipal Judge in New Brunswick and North Brunswick, and Municipal Judge for Bound Brook, NJ.
2010
2010 INDUCTEES
Vice President of Operations and Strategic Planning for AssureImmune, based in Boca Raton, FL, holds 16 patents, and lectures widely for universities and professional organizations.
Wanda Edwards, Psy.D - '85
Certified school psychologist, Clinical Supervisor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Co-owner/Operator of Kate's Kids, a social and educational development center for children.
Jeanne Habib - '84
Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs at T-Mobile overseeing the Puerto Rico and US Virgin Island markets and Executive Producer of Dynamic Multicultural CD entitled 'Ofrenda A Borinquen.'
Paul Russell Jr. - '82
Principal Engineer at InterDigital Communications Corporation, holds 8 patents, and instrumental in the development of Iridium, a digital wireless telephone and paging system that covers the Earth.
Dr. Steven H. Schneider - '66
Professor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Director of Diabetes Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Sharonda Weatherspoon - '91
Senior Director of Store Operations and Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren with responsibility for 140 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, formerly Director of Human Resources.
Dr. Sidney Whitman - '60
Chairman of Hamilton Dental Associates, PA., a pediatric and adult cosmetic dental practice, and Director of Pediatric Dentistry at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
E. Ronald Wright, Esq. - '65
Owner of The Wright Firm, a private law practice based in New Brunswick, NJ, and currently serves as Chief Municipal Judge in New Brunswick and North Brunswick, and Municipal Judge for Bound Brook, NJ.
2009
2009 INDUCTEES
Doctor at River Parishes Hospital in La Place, Louisiana and founder of a free volunteer medical clinic for the Red Cross in Nyanga, South Africa.
Raul Carballido - '78
Assistant Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, specializing in counter terrorism, counter intelligence and cyber programs.
Hon. Barnett Hoffman (Ret.) - '58
Former Middlesex County Superior Court Judge, District Judge, County Prosecutor and Rutgers University faculty member.
Roger Locandro, Ph.D. - '54
Agriculture and natural resource Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources.
Dianne (Torres) Roman - '88
Office on Aging Administrator, former Business Administrator and Personnel Officer for the city of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Crystal Anderson Singleton - '63
Owner and Manager of Anderson Funeral Services in New Brunswick and Trenton, New Jersey.
Paul Ward - '82
Executive Vice President for Primetime Acquisitions & Strategy of Nickelodeon Television and creator of TV Land Awards.
Gloria (Sabb) Zastko - '49
Owner and Operator of Gloria Zastko Realtors, a leading real estate agency in Central New Jersey.
2008
2008 INDUCTEES
Former Chairman and CEO of Electronic Data Systems and former President and CEO of H&R Block.
Peter L. Clemente, D.M.D. - '59
Dentist and orthodontist with more than 30 years in private practice and Assistant Professor at Fairleigh Dickenson University.
Elizabeth E. Hance - '72
President and CEO of Magyar Bank, headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ.
Shawn M. Harvey - '93
Executive with Accenture and former Commissioner of the Franklin Township Redevelopment Agency.
Benito A. Ortiz - '71
Community Advocate and Vice President of the New Brunswick Board of Education.
Timothy B. Rountree, Esq. - '80
Attorney-In-Charge of the Queens Borough Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Practice in New York.
Michael Watson - '77
Senior Vice President of Human Resources of the Girls Scouts of America and Treasurer of the Nonprofit Sector Workforce Coalition.
Jacqueline A. Young, Ph.D. - '69
Superintendent of the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission and educator for more than 30 years.
2007
2007 INDUCTEES
1st female Principal of New Brunswick High School and former Director of English as a Second Language/Bilingual
Malcolm R. Busch, Esq. - '51
A partner in the North Brunswick law firm Busch & Busch, LLP and former New Brunswick City Attorney.
Kathy Barrett Carter - '74
Director of Strategic Communications for Governor Jon S. Corzine and former Star-Ledger editorial writer.
Aldradge B. Cooper Jr. - '55
Former Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Johnson & Johnson and former Mayor of the City of New Brunswick.
Mercedes E. Banks - '90
A counseling psychologist and co-founder of Mental Health Education Careers Consulting Assessments in Washington, DC.
Jane M. Lee, M.D. - '86
A dermatologist, co-founder of the Advanced Dermatologist Center in Metuchen, NJ.
Frank P. Lombardo Jr. - '72
A meteorologist, President of Weather Works, LLC and Adjunct Professor.
Robert C. Rawls - '75
Fire Director for the city of New Brunswick and recipient of the Medal of Valor from the Saint Barnabas Burn Center.