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The Rutgers Alumni Association Loyal Sons and Daughters Award is the organization’s highest recognition of volunteer service, celebrating the exceptional achievements of each nominee. Nominations are made by past recipients, and selections are made by the RAA Loyal Sons and Daughters committee and the RAA Board of Directors. You can learn more about the class of 2023 below.
Greg Bedard, having been elected a Class of ’97 officer, was involved with the RAA even before graduation. Over the years, Greg was class agent, class president, and a member of the RAA Alumni Council. Post-graduation, Greg quickly became immersed in other RAA alumni activities as well, serving on the Young Alumni and Reunion committees. He served as the editor of the Young Alumni Newsletter and helped to plan Reunion Weekend, class dinners, and a host of other events. Outside of the RAA, Greg became active in the Cap and Skull Society (C&S). As an undergraduate he served as President/High Skull of his class year. As an alumni, Greg served on the alumni executive committee and contributed to the planning of the centennial anniversary celebration for C&S, as well as their ambitious plan to restore the Shank Observatory. He co-founded the Prudential Rutgers Connection (Pru-RU Connection) which is comprised of over 1,000 Rutgers alumni employed at Prudential and fosters collaboration and community engagement between Prudential Financial, Rutgers University, and the City of Newark. Greg has also served on the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) Board of Directors participating in numerous committees and leadership positions including Corporate Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. During his time as Chair, Greg had to manage transitions in university leadership including Vice President for Alumni Relations and University President amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Patrick Gardner is a Distinguished Professor of Music at the Mason Gross School of the Arts and is best known for being director of the Rutgers University Glee Club and the Rutgers University Kirkpatrick Choir. When it comes to brand ambassadors, Dr. Patrick Gardner is head and shoulders above them all when it comes to his promotion of Rutgers. Dr. Gardner’s passion for Rutgers goes beyond what would be expected of him as a Rutgers employee. He is a tireless supporter and advocate for the University. Dr. Gardner’s infectious passion for all things Rutgers is the ultimate super-spreader of Scarlet Fever! He is a master at keeping alumni engaged with their alma mater – not just Glee Club alumni but all Rutgers graduates. He takes the term “brand ambassador” to another level when it comes to promoting the university. Dr. Gardner’s promotion of Rutgers has inspired countless students to enroll at the University and has inspired large numbers of alumni to become more engaged with Rutgers.
Tina Gordon has served with distinction on the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, including two terms as President. She also served several terms as Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Treasurer, and currently as Secretary. She also served a term as President of the Class of 1972 and as Alumnae Council Representative. She has participated on the Strategic Planning Committee, chaired The AADC Society of Excellence Selection Committee, and the Public Relations Team. During the quarantine, she created the online series “Tea with Tina” to bring alumnae together virtually for informal and fun discussions. She has contributed her time and expertise to successfully expand communications across all platforms. Tina is an active participant in all the programs in the AADC’s Women’s Lifelong Learning Initiative, mentored young alumnae in the AADC Alumnae Mentoring Program, and presented a workshop on retirement as part of the AADC’s Victoria Dabrowski Schmidt DC’42 Workplace and Professional Development Symposium. She also chaired the marketing and communications effort for the 100th Anniversary of the AADC in 2022, appearing on several NJ TV programs to promote the organization’s highly successful 100th Anniversary “Proud History to Bright Future” Gala celebration. Tina received the AADC’s highest honor for service, the Margaret T. Corwin Award, in 2015, and she was inducted into the AADC Society of Excellence in 2021. She was honored by the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs and Douglass Residential College as a Woman of Achievement in 2019. She also created the website for the Rutgers Women’s basketball fan club, the Cager’s Club.
Anu Khare has been an active and dedicated Rutgers Alumni Association RAA volunteer since 2010, when she attended her first alumni-student speed networking event. Since that time, she has worked behind the scenes or in leadership roles to organize events for RAA members and their families. She has been active with events and programs held by RAA and the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College.
Anu’s volunteer efforts in supporting Rutgers University have been limitless. She is involved in several committees, and currently co-chairing the RAA Membership Services and RAA/School of Arts and Sciences Alumni-Students Connection committees. As a co-chair of the Connection Committee, one of the four RAA Strategic Pillars, Anu has been relentless in attending student events and inviting them to participate in the committee, so that they learn about RAA and the multitude of benefits it offers to students before they graduate. She is helping to establish the Rutgers Asian Alumni Association, where she is taking a hands-on role in shaping the organization for future collaborations for more alumni with diverse backgrounds to become engaged with Rutgers.
Mary Papamarkou has a history of service to the Rutgers University Alumni Constituents and the Rutgers University New Brunswick Community for over 30 years. As an undergraduate she was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority and a Rutgers Panhellenic Council representative. Upon graduation she continued her involvement as an active volunteer with her chapter and the national organization and in 2018 was tapped to participate in an ad-hoc Rutgers University Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Task Force. Mary has been a passionate advocate for the Rutgers student experience and has sought out opportunities since her graduation to give back to her beloved community: she has mentored Douglass College students, as well as Student Athletes with her participation in the Rutgers Leadership Academy. She is a valued and active member of the Associate Alumni of Douglass College (AADC) Investment Committee. Through her participation on the Rutgers University Foundation Board of Directors, Mary gained exposure to the team leading Rutgers Veterans and Military Program Services (RVMPS). She has advocated for this population within and outside the Rutgers community. In recognition of those efforts, Mary was awarded the RVMPS Eagle Award, which is presented to those in the community who have exhibited outstanding leadership and dedicated their time to the success of military affiliated students at Rutgers. Mary has been a member of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees since 2016 and has served on many committees, including several Board of Trustees/Board of Governors joint committees. She chaired the Task Force on Philanthropy and is an active supporter of Scarlet Promise Grants.
Nicole Setzer, an RAA Class of 1931 award winner, started her alumni involvement shortly after graduation as a member of the Rutgers University Bands Alumni Association (RUBAA). In 2009, she was elected to RUBAA’s Executive Board as Membership Chair, then moved to Member at Large, followed by multiple terms as President. Nicole currently serves as Membership Chair of RUBAA. 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the Rutgers Marching Band and Nicole was an integral member of the steering committee that produced both a successful fundraising campaign and a memorable celebration during Homecoming. As president of RUBAA, Nicole became a member of the RAA Board of Directors where her service to Rutgers and the RAA became supercharged with various leadership positions with the RAA including chairing the Homecoming/Reunion and Alumni Family Day Committees and serving as Vice President of the RAA. Nicole has been an active member of the Undergraduate Committee and currently serves on the Nominations Committee. The tricky tray at the RAA Holiday Party would not be the same without her active participation. Outside the RAA, Nicole has served as a Rutgers University Alumni Association Reunion volunteer and an Alumni Panel Speaker for the Rutgers Institute of Industrial Engineers. She has also participated in the Knight of Networking for Student Athletes as an alumni letterwinner industry professional.
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