Dr. Frank Abrahams, chairperson of music education at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, is this year's recipient of the University's prestigious Nancy Gray Award.

The award, named for Nancy Gray, former vice president for development and university relations, honors a member of the faculty or staff who exemplifies campus leadership, involvement, school pride/spirit and community service.

Since joining Rider in 1992, Abrahams has made numerous contributions to the University both on and off campus. Under his leadership, Westminster has achieved national recognition among music educators and his pivotal involvement in the department of music education has contributed to the success of the program. During his tenure, the department has placed 100 percent of its graduates in this highly competitive field. Over the years, the students, who make up the largest enrollment within the College of Music, have been reportedly the most actively involved leaders of any music program in New Jersey.

Interested in each student's overall development, Abrahams attends their recitals and hosts social gatherings for them at his home. While on the Princeton campus, Abrahams led Westminster in formulating the philosophy and direction of the undergraduate curriculum. His various initiatives have included establishing summer programs that have brought new students to campus for the first time and creating a summer program for full-time teachers who cannot attend classes during the fall-spring academic year. He is currently playing an instrumental role in developing the master of arts program in teaching -- the first intra-campus Master degree program.

Abrahams has also made his mark by establishing The Westminster Conservatory Youth Chorale, an auditioned chorus for talented area high school students who perform music of the Jewish tradition. Upon Abraham's recommendation, many of the compositions commissioned by the Chorale have been published by Transcontinenal Publications, the leading publisher of music for the reformed tradition of Judaism. Most of all, he is lauded by members of the Rider community for his intelligence, insight, enthusiasm, vision and humor - all qualities of the ideal leader.