2010 Loyal Sons & Daughters

 Distinguished group honored at April 10 Dinner

 

New Brunswick, New Jersey - Among this year's ten outstanding honorees are Rutgers Women's Head Basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer and Saatchi & Saatchi CEO of the Americas, Mary Baglivo.

A 52-year tradition, the Loyal Sons and Loyal Daughters of Rutgers are comprised of individuals who have made a meaningful and long-standing commitment to the betterment of Rutgers, The State University either by exemplifying extraordinary alumni service or by making a significant impact on University life and culture.

The honorees were inducted during a black tie affair held at Neilson Dining Hall on the Cook/Douglass Campus.  The Keynote speaker was renowned folklorist and American Studies Professor Angus Gillespie, whose courses follow such historic figures as Buffalo Bill, Casey Jones, Calamity Jane, and Molly Pitcher to contemporary issues such as urban legends and conspiracy theories. 

Photos of the event from the RAA Photos Albums on Picasa:

Founded in 1831, the Rutgers Alumni Association is the nation's 4th oldest alumni association serving 200,000 alumni on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campus of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Nominations are made by current Loyal Sons and Daughters. The recipients are determined by an awards committee with final approval being made by the association's Board of Directors. Receiving Loyal Son and Loyal Daughter Awards this year are:

Mary Baglivo - RC '79

In addition to her role as one of the highest ranking women in the U.S. communications industry, Mary Baglivo is fiercely loyal to her alma mater. Mary sits on the Rutgers University Foundation Board of Directors, serving as chair of The Rutgers Fund. She also supports the Mary L. Baglivo Scholarship in the School of Communication and Information. She was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni in May 2008. Mary served as keynote speaker at the 2009 Loyal Sons/Loyal Daughters Dinner, where her father, Angelo, was inducted as a Loyal Son. In addition, Mary was featured in the Spring 2002 edition of 1766 Magazine. She regularly attends alumni gatherings including her 30th Reunion activities. She has provided internship opportunities to RAA members and has been the face of Rutgers in the university's media spots.

 

Fred Baser - RC '43

Fred Baser's loyalty to Rutgers extends back to World War II, when 31 of his classmates lost their lives fighting for our country. Fred himself served in the Army Air Force upon graduating advanced ROTC. To ensure that the memories of his fallen classmates were honored at Rutgers, Fred conceived of and saw to completion the "Grove of Remembrance" adjacent to the Rutgers RAC and completed to commemorate the class's 40th reunion in 1983. An engineering major, Fred was involved in all aspects of creating the Memorial - from design to fundraising. Fred has excelled in fundraising for the Rutgers Foundation as well, raising thousands of dollars around his class reunions. A Targum staffer, lacrosse star, retired mining executive, accomplished artist, and President of the Class of '43 for the past six years, Fred is a true Renaissance man, and is highly deserving of this significant honor.

 

James Cuviello - RC '69

Jim Cuviello has become somewhat of a reunion guru, since impressing so many at his own 40th reunion last year. With priceless memorabilia in tow and a moving tribute presentation in memory of lost classmates, Jim is now helping other classes as an advisor. Jim has served as Class of '69 President since 2005, but has been instrumental in his class's efforts for many years. He even planned his Class Day activities in 1969. Since then, Jim's fundraising prowess has led to a second Class scholarship, for which Jim serves as committee chair and has made his mark engaging recipients to interact with members of the Class. As one of the Reunion Committee chairs for the Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA), and a member of the RAA's Board of Directors, it's no wonder that Jim excels in this important area. A tireless advocate for Rutgers, Jim can be seen on campus regularly at various sporting events and functions.

 

Sheldon Denburg - RC '49

Sheldon Denburg's generosity and dedication to alma mater are worthy of the highest regard. With brave service in World War II, Sheldon completed his Rutgers education on the G.I. Bill. Prior to entering the military, Sheldon helped to establish Zeta Beta Tau on campus during his freshman year and is part of a five-generation span of Rutgers tradition.  A contributor to the Rutgers Library under his business name, Barton Press, Sheldon and his family established a chemistry lab as well. Serving on every class reunion committee from 1950 forward, Sheldon has been involved with the establishment of the Footballer statue at Rutgers Stadium, the World War II Memorial in Alexander Library and the Rutgers Oral History Project. He is a member of the Old Guard and the Colonel Henry Rutgers Society and has served on his class executive committee since its 55th reunion.

 

Eugene Gentile - RC '80

For more than five years, Eugene "Gino" Gentile has led efforts to engage the undergraduate community at Rutgers. As Co-Chair of the RAA Undergraduate Committee for the last several years, Gino's vision has led to one of the most successful events to bring together current students and alumni. RAA Speed Networking, Gino's brainchild, attracts hundreds of enthusiastic participants and his stewardship of other RAA initiatives, like Dorm Storms and the Bishop Beach Blast continue to build bridges for future alums. In fact, he is right there when they graduate handing out pins at Commencement. Gino's dedicated leadership is a key reason that the RAA will continue to grow in the years to come.

 

Cheryl Grobelny - DC '76

As a Douglass student in the 1970's, Cheryl was among the first women to enroll in the all male Rutgers College classes. Now, Cheryl serves Rutgers as the first President of the University Rutgers Parents Association (RPA). Since her appointment to this post Cheryl has addressed Rutgers parents and families, and met thousands of incoming students who will one day join our ranks as alumni. Prior to her appointment as president of the RPA, Cheryl served and continues to serve on both the Cook and Douglass College Parents associations. She has also designed various t-shirts sold at Ag Field Day.  Cheryl holds regular meetings highlighting campus tour sites, speakers and informative topics. It is estimated that in her various volunteer roles she spends a minimum of 15 to 20 hours per week providing professional assistance to alumni and Rutgers organizations. Rutgers could not ask for a better ambassador than Cheryl, who herself is part of a 60-year Rutgers family tree, and even drives a scarlet Mini Cooper adorned with Rutgers paraphernalia.

 

Theo Hardies - RC '66

As president of the Class of 66 for over a decade, through his work on reunions and fundraising activities, by his generous support of the Rutgers Foundation, for which he was awarded the Rutgers University Loyal Society Award, by his diehard love of Rutgers Football and much more, Ted has exhibited his unending commitment to alma mater. His dedication to his class, his college and his country, serving as a life member of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Calvary Chapter of the 25th Infantry Division Association, make him an exemplary example of a Loyal Son.

 

Elaine Shovlin - UCNB '90

Elaine has been active in the Alumni community for 15 years, having held nearly all possible leadership positions in the University College New Brunswick Alumni Association (UCNBAA). Her diverse volunteer legacy in the UCNBAA includes Finance, Scholarship, Homecoming, and plenty of Executive leadership. During Elaine's alumni involvement, the UCNBAA has also consistently participated in the RAA's Reunion Weekend activities along with other RAA events as well. Elaine became a Member-at-Large - Alumni Leaders Council Committee of the RUAA in 2007, where she and her peers are responsible for reviewing and recommending chartered groups to the RUAA Board and monitoring the process for same. Elaine also served the Rutgers University Alumni Federation for many years, fulfilling numerous key roles including treasurer, investment committee chair and chaired the RUAF's 60th Anniversary Celebration.

 

C. Vivian Stringer

Rutgers' own celebrity, Charlaine Vivian Stringer holds one of the best records in the history of college basketball. The head coach of our women's basketball team, Coach Stringer holds the distinction of being the first coach in NCAA history to lead three different women's programs to the NCAA Final Four, including Rutgers twice, in 2000 and 2007. She is the third winningest coach in women's basketball history and is a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2009, and was inducted in September of last year. She recently was recognized by Womanspace for her leadership, spanning almost four decades, serving as an inspiration for young women. All these accolades aside, Coach Stringer made all Rutgers alumni proud beyond belief in how her team handled themselves under the scrutiny of the national spotlight when they were subjected to undignified comments by a radio show host. Under her guidance the team acted with poise and grace well beyond their years turning a devastating situation into a shining moment for Rutgers and the women's basketball team. So profound was Coach Stringer's influence that she was named one of "Five Individuals Who Left Their Footprints" featured in a New York Times year-end write up of 2007. There is no doubt that Coach Stringer has a Rutgers soul as evidenced by the singing of the Alma Mater at the end of home games.

 

Ellen Yu - RC '99

We are fortunate that Ellen Yu jumped right in to the RAA upon graduation from Rutgers College in 1999. In her ten years as an alumna, Ellen, the Class of 1931 Award winner,  has already served on three RAA committees, serving as Co-Chair of the Young Alumni Committee, writing articles for 1766 on the Communications Committee and most recently lending her talents to the Grants and Gifts Committee. There is no telling what Ellen can do in her next ten years as one of our most active participants.

 

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