Friday, Feb 18, 2022
Dr. Gregory G. Dell’Omo and Rider are co-recipients of this year’s Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award
by Adam Grybowski
United Way of Greater Mercer County has named Rider University and its president, Dr. Gregory G. Dell'Omo, as co-recipients of this year’s Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award. The annual award goes to those who personify Marsh’s three core values: caring, respect and responsibility.
Dell’Omo will join this year’s other award winners, who include Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer of William Penn Bank Jeannine Cimino, Hal English, the president and CEO of Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
All of this year’s recipients will be recognized during the United in Impact Awards: Rising Together event on April 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Social Profit Center at Mill One in Hamilton, New Jersey.
The annual event celebrates community champions who demonstrate leadership, passion and a commitment to a thriving and equitable community in their everyday life. New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) President and CEO Michele Siekerka is scheduled to be the event’s keynote speaker.
“It’s an honor to recognize this year’s community champions,” says Sandra Toussaint, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Mercer County. “Each talented and distinguished champion has made a difference in a wide variety of ways — from helping students achieve their dreams, supporting the economic vitality of the community, to advocating for the needs of the most vulnerable.”
United Way inaugurated the Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award last year. Named in honor of the three-time Rider alumnus, it recognizes an individual, group or organization that exemplifies Marsh’s commitment to mental health, veterans, diversity and anti-racism, as well as those who give back to the community.
Following Marsh’s death in January 2021 from complications of COVID-19, Rider renamed its veterans affairs office the Dr. Eugene Marsh Center for Veterans and Military Affairs last November. It is the first space at the University to be named for a Black alumnus.
"Eugene was an extraordinary individual, and I'm so proud to have called him a friend," Dell'Omo says. "Receiving this award means a lot to me personally, but it's also a tribute to everyone at Rider who is working to continue his meaningful legacy. "
Dell’Omo has proudly served as Rider's seventh president since 2015. Under his leadership, the University has developed more than a dozen new undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including the University’s first doctoral program. It also launched its signature Engaged Learning Program in 2017 and its Inclusive Excellence Plan in 2019. Rider has experienced record-breaking fundraising during his tenure, including the largest gift in University history, and an increase of approximately 36% in the University’s endowment. Rider currently ranks on U.S. News and World Report's Best Colleges list and The Wall Street Journal's Top U.S. College list.
“We are honored to recognize these outstanding award recipients for their continuous efforts of being united in impact for the United Way of Greater Mercer County and their community as a whole,” says Erin Klebaur ’04, the president of Imbue Creative and a member of the United Way of Greater Mercer County board of directors.
Proceeds from the event will directly provide food, rental assistance, health insurance access, tax preparation services, financial coaching and other resources to help individuals and families get ahead. Tickets are $75 and sponsorships are available. For more information, including on how to register, please visit uwgmc.org/unitedimpactawards.