Inspiring Stories

Dr. Jemal J. Beale '92, '95, CEO and President of Apex Solutions Group LLC, is one of the newest members of the Kean University Medallion Society.

Walter is extremely grateful for the education he received at Kean University. He attended Kean as an adult student and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics while also working two full time jobs. Walter has worked hard for everything in his life and firmly believes in helping those who help themselves.

Dr. Valerie Ann Leeds has included a charitable bequest in her will to establish the Norma S. Leeds Memorial Endowed Scholarship in memory of her late mother, Dr. Norma Leeds, who was a professor of chemistry at Kean University for nearly three decades. The Leeds Endowed Scholarship will provide tuition relief for undergraduate students majoring in the natural sciences with a preference for those majoring in chemistry or biochemistry. This scholarship will be awarded to students based on financial need as well as academic excellence.

Ellen Garshgo McConnell has been a loyal and generous donor to the Kean University Foundation since she graduated in 1972. Philanthropic support and service to others have always been among her top priorities.

Award-winning author, historian, and professor emeritus, Dr. Mark Edward Lender dedicated nearly three decades of his career to Kean University.

Born in Jersey City, Patricia is the oldest child of two deaf parents, neither of whom graduated high school and spent their adult lives as unskilled laborers. These circumstances created some of her earliest memories, with her acting as translator for both parents while accompanying them on frequent trips to the unemployment office.

When Kevin O'Hare '86,'90 was just four years old his mother had a stroke which changed his life forever. Although she survived the stroke, she received several therapeutic interventions including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy throughout the remainder of her life. This pivotal experience inspired Kevin to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

When reflecting upon his career at Kean University, Dr. Daniel O'Day, Jr., Professor Emeritus of English who served on the faculty for forty-five years, knew he wanted to acknowledge and support an institution that had given him so much professional satisfaction and joy.

Growing up in the projects of Newark, New Jersey Marjorie knew as a young girl that education would be paramount to transforming her life and helping her to break free from generational cycles that had existed in her family for many years. Lacking role models at home, Marjorie naturally looked to her teachers as trusted mentors and confidants, many of whom were happy to inspire and guide young Marjorie on her path to success. She even credits one of her high school teachers for helping her apply for her first college loan at Howard Savings Bank.

Thomas Kaercher '77, discovered a poem in his early twenties that has left a lasting impression on his life and has inspired a philanthropic gift that will have a permanent impact on the students at Kean today, and endure forever.