Wednesday, Jun 25, 2025
During Dr. Gregory G. Dell’Omo’s tenure, Rider made significant, historic progress
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
The first time Dr. Gregory G. Dell’Omo stepped foot on Rider’s campus was not on his first day as the seventh president of Rider University, nor was it during the interview process for the position, rather it was in 1973. His mother drove him to Rider College from their home in Rumson, New Jersey, for a meeting with head baseball coach Sonny Pittaro, who was interested in Dell’Omo becoming a Bronc.
At the time, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, had only been Rider’s home for nine years, after relocating from its birthplace in Trenton. With just a small number of buildings and little to no trees or greenery, Dell’Omo vividly remembers how different the campus looked upon his return in 2015.
“When you first enter campus you’re struck by the ambiance it has; there are so many mature trees, you’ve got the library and the academic quad nicely paired together before heading further back to the lake,” says Dell’Omo. “The campus makes you feel connected. It makes you want to study here, to grow here and to join a community of learners. I have always loved the feeling of being on a college campus for that reason.”
When Dell’Omo started his journey as president nearly a decade ago, the idea of elevating Rider’s living and learning community was a guiding principle for his tenure. One of the hallmarks of his presidency will be his emphasis on ensuring students pair their classroom learning with real-world experience.
Since the development of Rider’s Engaged Learning Program in 2017, thousands of Broncs have entered their professional careers with the knowledge and experience needed to prepare themselves for successful futures. New partnerships have also expanded students’ real-world experience with the addition of the on-campus Saxby’s cafe, where Rider students operate the business, and the University’s partnership with the New York Giants, which includes full-time, part-time and game-day internships.
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Engaged Learning in practice with students conducting field research with faculty -
Students interning with the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show -
Students participating in community service event as part of Rider's partnership with the NY Giants -
A student working in the on-campus Saxby's cafe
Under Dell’Omo’s leadership, Rider has made significant progress, all against the background of extraordinary challenges impacting higher education, including an unforeseen global pandemic. Dell’Omo implemented a new strategic plan, oversaw numerous campus renovations and expanded the University’s academic repertoire with nearly 20 new programs, including the first doctoral program. The University also achieved a number of athletic milestones with the addition of women’s lacrosse as its 21st Division I sport, 40 conference championships and 18 All-Americans.
Rider saw historic levels of giving as Dell’Omo spearheaded its largest fundraising campaign ever, Transforming Students – Transforming Lives. After bypassing its original $80 million goal, Dell’Omo set his sights higher on $100 million. The University received the largest gift in its history ($10 million) from entrepreneur Norm Brodsky ’64 and his wife and business partner Elaine, created nearly 100 new scholarships for students and raised more than $18.5 million to complete a number of facilities projects. Notable projects include the groundbreaking of the Jason Thompson '08 Court in the basketball practice facility in 2015, the $9 million renovation and addition to the Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center and countless upgrades to residence halls, classrooms, communal spaces and athletic facilities.
As Dell’Omo prepares to retire from a nearly 40-year career in higher education, he reflected upon his time as a Bronc, his journey to academia and his love of the Garden State.
Q: What will you miss about Rider?
I know it's sort of cliché, but it's really the people that I’ve encountered over the years — the students, the faculty, the staff, the alumni, the friends of the University, people who come to our campus to visit.
As president, you get an opportunity to meet a lot of very interesting people and it covers that whole range of folks. I also just really enjoy college life and seeing people learn and gain knowledge. There are so many things that happen on campus, whether it’s seeing great sporting events, great performances by our students, wonderful lectures, students performing in academic arenas, in competitions — all those things. You feel like a proud parent. You see the students growing and becoming very successful at what they do.
Q: What’s your favorite Rider memory?
My favorite memory is something that came out of a tragedy: the pandemic. It was a period of great concern and uncertainty, but looking at what came out of that, I was very proud of this University. Even though we had to install a lot of challenging protocols, faculty, staff, students, families, everybody really worked together and we got through it with the number one concern being everybody's health and safety. When we talk about community, the pandemic really showed who we are as an institution.
Q: What is your favorite Rider tradition?
You can't top Commencement. We do big events at Rider very well, and I think it's because so many people put a lot of time and energy into creating those perfect moments for our students. The most memorable Commencement for me was the first one we held after the pandemic in 2021 with 12 ceremonies over two days. It was exhausting, but it was so meaningful because everyone there was incredibly appreciative to be celebrating in person.
Q: Any advice to our newest members of the Rider community, our incoming freshmen?
As a member of this community, I want you to learn, grow as a person and try to understand your place in the world. Your Rider journey is just at its beginning. Your academics are first and foremost, but find a way to become fully ingrained in our community in whatever way fits you best and maintain your connection to the University throughout your lifetime.
Q: What drew you to a career in academia?
Like everybody else at 18, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career long term. I think I changed my major four times when I was in college. But I got to a point where I figured out that I wanted to be an economics major.
I married my high school sweetheart Polly right after college and attended Syracuse Law School. I thought I’d become a labor attorney. But, I took a leave of absence; money was tight. I saw an ad in the paper for an executive training program for a retailer called Dey Brothers. I was accepted and then later hired as assistant buyer of men's suits, which I had no interest in. Then I moved into corporate HR for Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
One night after putting our daughter to bed, Polly asked, “What do we want to do with our lives?” I was working in New York City. She was working in banking in Jersey City. We were doing well, but I said I always had this dream of becoming a college professor, but I’d need a Ph.D. She encouraged me to pursue that dream and we ended up moving to Wisconsin so I could attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Q: What is your hope for the future of higher education?
It’s a challenging period right now, but as you look at history, the pendulum swings back and forth. I hope we get back to a place where there is the acceptance of knowledge as a value that leads to greater things in society. I also hope at some point in time we'd figure out ways in which we can fund education so that it would become much more important to society. And that requires a whole shift in the way we view education in this country.
Q: You're a Garden State native. What do you like most about this state?
I take pride in the fact that we’re always mocked. I also always tell my friends who are not from New Jersey that it has so much diversity and not just in terms of people and ethnicity, but just topography alone. I mean, you’ve got the beaches, mountains, horse farms, suburbs, cities — it's everything in a relatively small area. There's so much to do here. It's the diversity and I like the edge. Plus, you can't get better pizza.
Q: What’s your favorite shore town?
Growing up in Rumson, my favorite beach was Sea Bright, but living in Belmar, I have to say my favorites are in the stretch from Sandy Hook to Spring Lake.
Q: Favorite Bruce Springsteen song?
From a lyrical and musical standpoint, I love Jungleland. I also love Thunder Road. It’s my ringtone.
What’s in your office, Mr. President?
AJ the Bronc bobbleheads
As a basketball season ticket holder, Dell’Omo has collected a fair share of AJ bobbleheads over the years that were giveaways during certain home games. In addition to his typical uniform, AJ has also dressed as the Monopoly man and The Office’s Dwight Schrute for themed nights.
Photo from the dedication of the Norm Brodsky College of Business
On Oct. 17, 2019, Rider celebrated the Brodskys' historic $10 million gift during a special ceremony, where the University’s college of business was officially named the Norm Brodsky College of Business.
Rider hard hat
Gifted during his first year at Rider, the hard hat brings back memories of the numerous campus upgrades that have happened in the past 10 years.