Recipients of the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards were recently celebrated for their service to students and employees, for their role in cultivating a beloved community, for making a lasting difference beyond the university’s borders and for excellence in their work.
The awards, which recognize both individuals and teams, were celebrated during a ceremony Thursday at the Rutgers Club. More than 40 members of the Rutgers community were honored at the event.
President Jonathan Holloway invited faculty and staff from across the university to nominate their colleagues earlier this year.
“I’m deeply gratified to say that for the second straight year, we received a wide array of nominations putting forward truly wonderful Rutgers employees for recognition in the categories we established last year, plus an additional category recognizing lifetime contributions to the university,’’ Holloway said during the ceremony.
“As we honor all of you, please know that you were chosen from an even larger group of terrific people who I’m so proud to know are Rutgers employees,’’ he said.
Here are this year’s recipients from Rutgers University–Camden.
Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Award (Faculty)
Celebrates the extraordinary achievements of a faculty member who has devoted over two decades of their professional journey to enriching the academic landscape and leaving an indelible mark on the university. This prestigious accolade acknowledges individuals whose tireless commitment has shaped the essence of our institution. Their impact transcends generations, shaping the intellectual landscape and nurturing the next wave of visionary leaders.
Faculty Honoree: Gloria Bonilla-Santiago
Department of Public Policy and Administration
Faculty of Arts and Sciences–Camden
In her nearly four decades as a Rutgers faculty member, Gloria Bonilla-Santiago has amassed an exceptional body of work that has contributed greatly to the university's mission to serve its students, its host communities and beyond. From founding the Rutgers-Camden Community Leadership Center and the LEAP Academy University Charter School to the partnerships she’s spearheaded in Cuba, Paraguay and Puerto Rico, Bonilla-Santiago's contributions to community development and educational leadership have been transformative and far-reaching and have had a deep and long-lasting impact on urban communities and underserved populations both here and abroad. She is the epitome of the community-engaged scholar, combining her scholarship and award-winning teaching with an unwavering commitment to serving underprivileged communities, both locally and globally. Her life-long dedication, passion, and commitment have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our institution and society.
Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Award (Staff)
Celebrates the extraordinary achievements of a staff member whose dedication, innovation, and excellence over more than two decades have significantly contributed to the enhancement of our university. This prestigious accolade acknowledges individuals whose tireless commitment has shaped the essence of our institution. Their impact transcends generations, shaping the intellectual landscape and nurturing the next wave of visionary leaders.
Rory "Cal" Maradonna
School of Business–Camden
Rory “Cal” Maradonna has led a distinguished career at Rutgers University over nearly six decades. His dedicated service and love for the institution has left a profound legacy for students, alumni and the institution. From his time as director of the Campus Center in the mid-1970s when he played a lead role in establishing university housing and a student-run convenience store, to his launching of a study abroad program in South Africa, to his work revitalizing alumni engagement as the associate vice president of Alumni Relations, Maradonna has built a lifetime’s worth of accomplishments in the service of Rutgers University. As one recommender offered, Maradonna “exemplifies a commitment to exceptional service, innovative problem solving, consistently exceeding expectations, and most importantly, deep pride for Rutgers.”
