Alumni Association – Full Board
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Ken Baumann – President, Dave Maurer – Vice President,
Hillary Hewit – Secretary, Peter Simons – Treasurer,
Justin Saponara – Parliamentarian, Megan Flanagan – Immediate Past President
Meeting called to order: 6:33 PM
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Attending: Ken Baumann, Hillary Hewit, Justin Saponara, Peter Simons, Mike Curry, Barbara
DiMarco, Jeanette Hoffman, Patsy Marino, Steve Piccininni, Amy Wallace, Tracy Zarodnansky
Attending Chapter Representatives: John Anastasio, Nicole Bullock, Susan Moraca, Bill Guthrie,
Deborah Simpson, David Gabauer, Anthony Tomtae, Sally Flanagan, Jeff Tamburrino
Absent: Megan Flanagan, David Maurer, Kendra Bussey, Carol Harnett, Janice Rein, Ian
Ruderman
Absent Chaper Representatives: Joe Galante, Ed Gamboa
Guests Attending: John Castaldo, Lisa McCarthy, Christine Rizzo, Deborah Beaver, President
Gitenstein, John Donohue, Rosie Hymerling, Terri Martinac, Dean Carole Kenner, Dean Jeffrey
Osborn, Emily Montagna, Ingrid Nunn
College Official Report (President Gitenstein and John Donahue)
o President Gitenstein reported that last year, 470 students studied abroad. Additionally,
120 international students studied at The College.
o President Gitenstein provided an update to the strategic plan and indicated that there
will be great buy-in.
o Faculty brought in $4,000,000 last year.
o The College saved $114,000,000 last year and maintained bond ratings.
o President Gitenstein also reported that Amy Hecht has been at the front and center of
leadership programs, as well as the Trenton State Corporation.
o The College now has the fifth highest graduation rate of any public institution of higher
education in the entire nation.
o The College hired twenty-four new professors, including two alumni.
o The College received a good number of commendations during Middle States and
received a Carnegie classification, which only 8% of schools receive.
o The College has been diversifying faculty, staff, and students. 20% of freshman are from
minority backgrounds.
o The College received a record number of applications and out-of-state applications last
year.
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President Gitenstein also reported an immense challenge that The College is currently
facing: student death by suicide.
 A junior at The College recently died by suicide. This death was the fifth death
by suicide at The College in four years.
 The College has established a Mental Health Task Force.
 Students may attend grief sessions or receive individual counseling.
 Sadly, the statistics The College is seeing right now are not unusual, but
President Gitenstein indicated that these numbers do not mean that we as an
institution do not need to address the issue.
 A “town hall” is being planned to address the topic.
 Every email The College sends list the services available to students.
 Students recently participated in a backpack program on campus, with
backpacks representing students who have died by suicide.
 Individuals on the Full Board shared their own personal experiences with the
topic.
 Ken Baumann asked if there were any additional steps the Alumni Association
could take to address the issue, and President Gitenstein responded by
requesting that the Alumni Association keep asking questions and talking about
the issue.
o John Donohue reported that he hired two TCNJ alumni from the Class of 2015.
o John Donohue reported on the status of the current campaign, stating that The College
currently has raised just under $28,000,000. The ultimate goal is $40,000,000.
 This year’s stated goal is $8,500,000.
 6.8% of alumni have participated thus far.
 The national average participation rate is 6.8%.
 The average participation rate at public institutions is 4%.
o John Donohue reported that TCNJ’s Day of Giving will be November 5.
o John Donohue reported that the campaign has ten committees and sixty-three
volunteers, and any leads that the Alumni Association can provide are greatly
appreciated.
o John Donohue reported that Eleanor Horn will be reconvening TRIO soon.
Dean Remarks (Dean Carole Kenner and Dean Jeffrey Osborn)
o Dean Kenner (School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science) reported that TCNJ will
be recognized in Las Vegas in November for excellence in Nursing.
o Dean Kenner reported that Nursing’s first white coat ceremony will take place on
November 18.
o Dean Kenner reported that a new simulation lab will be opening in Forcina Hall in 2016.
o Plans for a new Physical Enhancement Center for HES students is currently taking place.
o TCNJ will now offer a graduate certificate program in Public Health, as well as an
undergraduate major in Public Health.
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The School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science received grants this year, as well as
$6,500,000 in scholarships.
o Brazilian students are studying in both departments of the School of Nursing, Health,
and Exercise Science.
o Dean Kenner also discussed onsite RN to BSN programs
o Dean Osborn (School of Science) presented a slideshow of current happenings in the
School of Science.
o TCNJ’s chemistry program is among the top 4% in the nation, and the physics program is
among the top 2% in the nation.
o Dean Osborn talked about the MUSE summer program.
o The School of Science supports approximately 100 trips each year.
o Dean Osborn discussed Compounds and Cuisine, a scientific meal that took place in
Eickhoff Hall last March.
o Dean Osborn discussed the STEM Complex.
Senior Class Council Report (Emily Montagna and Ingrid Nunn)
o The Senior Class Council is offering cooking classes for students. Rosie Hymerling
offered to host a cooking class.
o To promote unification, the Senior Class Council is offering an off-campus trip to a food
truck festival.
Financial Report (Peter Simons)
o Peter Simons discussed removing the School of Business Golf Outing as its own entity.
o Athletics Hall of Fame will now take place every other year, instead of every year.
o Eastern Wind Symphony chapter funds have been re-allocated.
o A conference call with Liberty Mutual will take place tomorrow. Liberty Mutual is
consistently in touch and is a good affinity group.
Old Business (Ken Baumann)
o Motion to Approve the minutes of the 3/26/15 Full Board Meeting: John Anastasio.
 Seconded by: Justin Saponara.
 Vote: unanimous.
o The Scholarship Committee, led by Steve Piccininni, finalized some of its numbers and
will be reconvening shortly. They will have proposals for the Full Board before the next
Full Board meeting.
New Business (Ken Baumann)
o Ken Baumann requested the Board’s commitment, asked that the Board be notified in
advance if a member cannot make a meeting date, and requested a 100% giving rate.
o Justin Saponara went over Roberts Rules of Order and discussed proper voting
procedure. Only Full Board members have voting privileges. Chapter representatives
are welcome to give input, opinions, and suggestions.
o Sigma Tau Chi Fraternity gave a presentation to discuss their application as a chapter of
the Alumni Association. Since 1981, the fraternity has held meetings at least annually.
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Motion to Approve Sigma Tau Chi Fraternity’s application: Patsy Marino.
 Seconded by: Hillary Hewit.
 Vote: unanimous.
o Ken Baumann discussed new nominations to the Full Board. The Board received
seventeen applications for five spots. The Executive Board selected nine to interview.
Seven accepted interviews. Interviews will be completed by September 30.
o Ken Baumann discussed chapter and committee meeting guidelines. Two weeks
advance notice is needed to secure a meeting room on campus. Forty-eight hours
notice is needed to secure a conference call line. A copy of an agenda shall be provided
by a chapter or committee representative.
o Ken Baumann requested the members present to fill out forms indicating committee
preferences. Hillary Hewit collected the forms and will return preferences to Ken.
o Ken Baumann discussed Homecoming , which will take place on October 24, 2015. Ken
discussed the overall schedule and passed around a volunteer sign-up sheet.
Review of the Consent Calendar (Chapter Representatives)
o Updates were given by the following: Business, Education, Health and Exercise Science,
Law and Justice, Music, Nursing, Rugby, Swimming and Diving, and TALANT.
o No Report (NR): EOF and Wrestling.
Public Comment
o Patsy Marino asked whether the Alumni Association can do the Pledge of Allegiance
before meetings.
o Patsy Marino discussed an idea for a Family of the Year, which Virginia Tech currently
does each year. Patsy will gather more information and submit it to Ken.
Good and Welfare
o n/a
Executive Session
o n/a
Meeting adjourned: 9:08 PM
o Motion to Adjourn: Bill Guthrie.
o Seconded by: Steve Piccininni.
o Vote: unanimous.
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