| 438 North Avenue Garwood, New Jersey Doors Open at 6:00 PM |
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| Mark Manigan President and CEO RWJBarnabas Health 2026 Man of the Year |
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Mark E. Manigan, President and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, is a visionary healthcare leader whose commitment to excellence, innovation, and community impact has transformed the lives of millions throughout New Jersey. As leader of the state’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, Mr. Manigan oversees an organization that provides exceptional care to roughly one out of every four New Jerseyans annually across more than 700 facilities. Under his leadership, RWJBarnabas Health has strengthened its position as a national model for delivering world-class healthcare while expanding access and improving outcomes for communities across the state.
Beyond his leadership in healthcare, Mr. Manigan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building stronger, healthier communities. Through initiatives focused on economic opportunity, local investment, workforce development, and support for vulnerable populations, he has helped advance RWJBarnabas Health’s mission as a vital community partner and anchor institution.
Mr. Manigan’s dedication to education and workforce development is reflected in the extraordinary partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ. Through collaboration with the College’s nursing program, RWJBarnabas Health has helped create pathways for students to pursue rewarding healthcare careers, strengthen the nursing workforce, and ensure that our communities have access to highly skilled and compassionate caregivers.
The Union County College Foundation is proud to honor Mark E. Manigan as the 2026 Man of the Year in recognition of his exceptional leadership, his commitment to improving lives, and his lasting impact on the communities we serve. |
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| PSEG 2026 Corporate Partner of the Year |
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The Union County College Foundation is proud to honor PSEG as our 2026 Corporate Partner of the Year in recognition of their extraordinary commitment to our students, our community, and our mission of transforming lives through education and opportunity.
For generations, PSEG has been a trusted community partner, investing in initiatives that strengthen New Jersey and create pathways for success. Their commitment to workforce development, education, and economic opportunity aligns deeply with the Foundation’s efforts to remove barriers and help students achieve their academic and career goals.
PSEG’s partnership with the Foundation extends beyond financial support. Through their generosity, engagement, and commitment to student success, they have helped advance programs and initiatives that prepare students for meaningful careers and strengthen the region’s workforce. Their support reflects a shared belief that investing in education is an investment in the future of our communities.
As a leading corporate citizen, PSEG continues to demonstrate the impact that can be achieved when businesses and educational institutions work together. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to opportunity embody the very best of corporate partnership, and we are proud to recognize PSEG for the lasting difference they have made in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.
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| Dr. Maris Lown Executive Vice President and Provost UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ 2026 Fiat Lux Award |
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Dr. Maris A. Lown was appointed Vice President of Academic Affairs at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ in 2011, overseeing academic programs and initiatives. Promoted to Executive Vice President and Provost in 2024, she currently supervises Academic Affairs, Student Development, and Administrative Services while supporting the President’s focus on student success and institutional outcomes. A graduate of Boston College with a degree in nursing, she earned a master’s degree in nursing from Boston University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University.
A respected leader in professional and community service, Dr. Lown has served on the Meridian Hospital Board of Trustees, as President of the NJ State Board of Nursing, as a Commissioner and site visitor for the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and as Secretary of the NJ State Nurses Association. She also founded the journal Teaching and Learning in Nursing and served as its editor for seven years.
Currently, Dr. Lown serves on the Hackensack Meridian Ambulatory Care Board and the EDge Board which supports initiatives that advance technology in higher education. She has presented nationally at numerous conferences, conducted more than 30 consultations for nursing programs across the country, and served as a Peer Evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Prior to joining the College’s leadership team, Dr. Lown served as a faculty member, Director, and Dean at Brookdale Community College. Her many honors include the NJ Governor’s Merit Award, Rowan Doctoral Leadership Award, and NJ Council of County Colleges Leadership Award.
Dr. Lown is also a deeply committed supporter of the Union County College Foundation. A generous donor, she supports Foundation events and initiatives throughout the year and has established her own scholarship to help UCNJ students achieve their educational goals. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to students and the community, Dr. Lown will be honored as the 2026 Fiat Lux Award recipient.
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE - BE THE CHANGE |
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By joining us at this year’s Illuminate the Future Gala, you are helping light the path to opportunity for UCNJ students and creating a brighter future for our entire community. Your support provides more than financial assistance; it serves as a lifeline for students facing obstacles that could otherwise stand between them and their dreams.
At the Union County College Foundation, we believe that when safety nets fall, we rise. We rise with scholarships, emergency support, and resources that help students remain in school, complete their education, and build successful futures. Because of generous partners like you, a student’s potential, determination, and hard work—not their economic circumstances—can define what is possible.
“Balancing the responsibilities of being a caregiver and a full-time student can be challenging, but your support has provided not only financial relief but also the encouragement I need to keep striving toward my goals. Your generosity is helping me pursue my dreams, and I am sincerely grateful.”– Maria Jose Orozco | PSEG Foundation Scholarship |
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| MISSION SPONSOR - $10,000 Includes:
- Ten Tickets
- Inside cover of the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| GOLD SPONSOR - $6,500 Includes:
- Six Tickets
- Gold Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| SILVER SPONSOR - $5,000 Includes:
- Six Tickets
- Silver Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| BRONZE SPONSOR - $3,000 Includes:
- Four Tickets
- Full Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| TABLE SPONSOR - $2,500 Includes:
- Ten Tickets
- Quarter Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| PATRON SPONSOR - $1,500 Includes:
- Two Tickets
- Full Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
- Name Placement on Event Banner
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| DONOR SPONSOR - $1,000 Includes:
- Two Tickets
- Half Page Ad in the Tribute Journal
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| FRIEND SPONSOR - $600 Includes:
- Two Tickets
- Owl Listing in the Tribute Journal
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| TICKETS - $250 Cost per ticket
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TRIBUTE JOURNAL OPPORTUNITIES |
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| Donation Levels for Tribute Journal Back or Inside Cover $ 5,000 Gold Page $ 3,500 Silver Page $ 2,500 Full Page $1,000 Half Page $550 Quarter Page $350 Owl Listing $150 For information about the tribute journal, please contact the Foundation office at 908.709.7505 or email foundation@ucc.edu. You can also click on the link below for additional information. |
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For a PDF of the Gala Sponsorship and Tribute Journal opportunities, click on the link below. |
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| UCNJ, Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to recognized by the Aspen Institute as being one of the TOP 25 Community Colleges in the nation. |
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| Union County College Foundation 1033 Springfield Avenue Cranford, NJ 07016 908.709.7505 foundation@ucc.edu |
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