Rider University :: newswire@Rider

Torchia Receives Nancy Gray Award

Karin Torchia and Jamiyl Mosely

Karin Torchia, associate director of athletics for marketing and development, is this year’s recipient of the University’s prestigious Nancy Gray Award.

Torchia was presented the award April 12 during Rider’s 13th annual University Day festivities. 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.

On and off campus, Torchia is known as a master at juggling details. In her work with students, parents, fans, faculty and staff, she instills infectious enthusiasm for Rider. Her upbeat spirit touches everyone she meets. For instance, she used her innate enthusiasm to rally the Rider community to attend the Rider men vs. Saint Peter’s game, broadcast on ESPN2 -- a prime example of her behind the scenes event production expertise. As a result of her efforts, there was
a sea of cranberry in Alumni Gym for that game.

Torchia exhibited the same high level of energy and expertise in handling details last spring when Rider co-hosted the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) at the Sovereign Bank Arena. Rider’s annual Midnight-MAACness celebration is yet another example of Torchia’s gift for orchestrating first-rate events. For this year’s celebration, “Fright Night,” she called on theater and arts students from Rider’s Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses to produce a rousing affair filled with Rider spirit.

Torchia plays an integral part in the life of the Rider community in many other ways as well. Over the years, she has served as a mentor to students and offered internships to them, providing real-life, hands-on experiences in the field of marketing and event promotions. She is a freshman seminar leader and frequently checks up on “her” students throughout their Rider careers and beyond. Her commitment to others has led her to serve as a member of the community standards board, advisor to ZBT fraternity, a member of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Committee, the University Day Committee, the SLICE (Student Life Involvement Committee), the student life strategic planning subcommittee, the Emerging Leaders Program and the inauguration committee, just to name a few.

A tireless fundraiser and community activist, Torchia rallies Rider’s student-athletes to give back to the surrounding community. Her community outreach initiatives have included collecting Toys for Tots, volunteering with varsity teams at area soup kitchens and in local schools, and supporting the MAAC Fights Back Against Breast Cancer Day. Proceeds of the day help support Kids Share – a support group program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton for children whose families are facing a cancer diagnosis.