Your Gifts at Work

From saving New Jersey's dune grass to preventing skin cancer, students and professors at Georgian Court work in the classroom and in the field breaking new ground in the natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and social work. Each of the university's four schools offer research and scholarship opportunities for students to make their mark in their chosen major.

The President's Annual Report 2010-11 (PDF) is now online for your viewing convenience. 

Investors Savings Bank  

The Georgian Court University soccer program is very close to Carleen Lombardi’s heart.  Her daughter, Marie Lombardi ’06, was captain of the Lions soccer team for the 2005 and 2006 seasons and now coaches varsity high school soccer in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. So Ms. Lombardi was delighted to have the opportunity to revisit her daughter’s alma mater this fall when she and four other representatives from Investors Savings Bank came to present university president Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D. ‘72 with a donation of $110,000 to sponsor the new Investors Savings Bank Soccer Field. The field, part of the new University Wellness Center Complex, is currently under construction and is slated for opening in time for the Fall 2008 season.

“We are thrilled that Investors Savings Bank has stepped forward to support Georgian Court University. Their ongoing commitment to the university enables us to continue to provide a premier liberal arts education to over 3,000 students, most of whom are New Jersey residents,” Sister Rosemary said. Representing Investors Savings Bank at the October 16, 2007 ceremony were Ms. Lombardi, Jackson sales manager; Kevin Cummings, then COO, now CEO; Susan Nardozza, regional manager; and Leonard Allen, Lakewood sales manager.

“Investors Savings Bank is committed to giving back to the community— and especially to education—and this was a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment,” says Ms. Lombardi. “As I told the young ladies of the soccer team, the things they learn on the field—the commitment, teamwork, and dedication—will follow them throughout their lives in whatever they do,” she adds.

Ms. Lombardi accepted an autographed team ball from the members of the 2007 Lions soccer team as a thank-you for the donation. “I have to say, I was a bit overwhelmed. This team is very dear to my heart,” she says. Sister Rosemary explained that the new Investors Savings Bank Soccer Field will be one of two new soccer fields at the university and an integral part of the Wellness Center Complex. The new facility will allow the university to offer ten, as opposed to the current seven, NCAA Division II sports. In addition to organized NCAA Division II athletic events, intramural and recreational offerings and space for individual fitness and exercise will be significantly expanded. The project cost is $26 million, which is being funded by long-term financing and fundraising. GCU’s commitment to wellness is an acknowledgement that all facets of an individual need to be cultivated in order to create a truly educated society. The new Wellness Center will be the central facility on campus designed to achieve these goals.

Girls Involved in Science and Technology (GIST): A Summer Science Program for Local Public School Students Involving Hands-on Science and Science Literacy

GIST is a hands-on science program held at Georgian Court University (GCU) each summer for female students from Lakewood Public Schools (LPS). It builds upon and refines the summer program originally introduced in the summer of 2004 and held each year since. The summer program is offered to 16 students in each grade level (entering grades 8-12) who are recommended by the teachers of Lakewood Public Schools. Each group attends a week-long program with 35 hours of experiment-based learning. The content for each summer’s program is developed in consultation with the science teachers from Lakewood Public Schools, a recognized high-needs school district. The students perform hands-on investigations under the supervision of GCU faculty on topics from biology, chemistry, computer sciences, ecology, mathematics, physics, and earth sciences. The experiments have green science (i.e. respect for the environment) emphasis. Evaluation methods for the program include written assessments by the students, progress of the students in their school science curriculum, and ultimately the number of students who choose a science major in higher education. 

This program is entirely funded by its generous supporters, including

The GIST program requires additional funds each year. If you are interested in supporting the GIST program, please contact the GCU Office of Institutional Advancement at 732.987.2267 or advancement@georgian.edu.