Ramapo College receives a 'historic' $4 million gift. See where the money will go

Yahoo

13-03-2025

MAHWAH — Ramapo College of New Jersey has received a "historic" $4 million one-time gift, the largest ever made to the public college.
The gift by Susan Vallario, chairwoman of the board of trustees, and her husband, Nick, includes a $2 million endowment for the college's Presidential Scholarship program, which will now be known as the Susan and Nick Vallario Endowment for Presidential Scholarships at Ramapo College.
The endowment is expected to help attract and retain top-achieving New Jersey high school graduates, helping to reverse the state's net out-of-state migration of college-bound students.
The gift will support Ramapo's strategic plan, Boldly Ascending, by strengthening students' success through supporting their well-being, empowering students for a digital future and inventing in New Jersey's brightest minds, said a statement by the college.
'This phenomenal gift honors the public good Ramapo provides as the state's designated public liberal arts college,' said President Cindy R. Jebb. 'Susan and Nick's generosity allows us to further the college's mission by investing in and developing our students to be the problem solvers, ethical change agents, and responsible leaders our state, our society, and the world so desperately need.'
The gift supports the statewide effort announced in October 2024 by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to raise awareness about the value, affordability and accessibility of a New Jersey college degree.
The Vallarios have been involved in the Ramapo community for more than a decade, providing support through philanthropy, counsel and leadership to advance the college's initiatives. The Vallarios were the lead pledge supporters of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons campaign.
Susan Vallario has served on the Ramapo College board of trustees since 2015, as chair since 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in government and a master's in social relations from Lehigh University, and a juris doctor degree from Pace University School of Law. She practiced land use, corporate and commercial real estate law at Beattie Padovano in Montvale. She subsequently served as vice president and co-owner of Kurt Versen Company. She is a former director and chair of the Employers Association of New Jersey and a member of Valley Health System's Women for Health.
Nicholas Vallario has a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His career included work in oceanographic research and as an environmentalist for the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission. He later managed the data processing and engineering departments for Kurt Versen Company.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ramapo College receives $4 million gift. See where the money will go