Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) hosted an endowment signing ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in the Gloucester campus College Center. Established by the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, this $10,000 endowment honors the life and legacy of Lauren Rose Albert. Attendees at the ceremony included members from the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, Foundation Leadership, and RCSJ administration, staff, and students.
Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) hosted an endowment signing ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Eugene J. McCaffrey College Center.
Established by the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, this $10,000 endowment honors the life and legacy of Lauren Rose Albert, whose compassion and advocacy for those in need continue to inspire others.
Attendees at the ceremony included members from the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, Foundation Leadership, and RCSJ administration, staff, and students.
According to the Foundation's website, laurenslegacy.org, Lauren was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1999. She was 40 years old. Lauren was an inspiration to her family, parents, sisters, friends, and colleagues. She had integrity, self-discipline, and great strength of character; she always spoke up for what she felt was right. And she fought for her beliefs with determination and dignity.
These are the qualities that inspire the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation. Susan Rose, Lauren's mother, created the Foundation in her daughter's name, honoring Lauren's memory with a legacy of contributions and loving care for others.
Rose, president of the Foundation's board of directors, offered her heartfelt thanks:
“It is such a privilege and an honor for us to be with you today and for you to join us at this wonderful and beautiful event. I want to thank the Mothers Matter team and the Lauren Rose Foundation board members for their work and guidance. We just celebrated our 25th year and Lauren's children were part of the celebration and will be the next generation to carry on Lauren's legacy."
The Lauren Rose Albert Foundation Endowment will provide a $500 scholarship annually for an RCSJ student pursuing a healthcare degree. The annual scholarship can be awarded to a first-year or second-year student within the Nursing and Health Professions Division. The recipient can be a full- or part-time student enrolled in at least 6 credits. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Priority is given to single parents.
Cody Miller, executive director of the Rowan College of South Jersey Foundation, opened the ceremony:
“We are proud to officially announce the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation Endowment at RCSJ. For more than two decades, our relationship with the Foundation—rooted in the Mothers Matter Program—has made a meaningful difference for women in our community. From book scholarships to the dedicated volunteers who help create gift baskets for women in need, this partnership has been a constant source of hope and support. This new endowment established at RCSJ strengthens that mission in a lasting way."
Event attendees met the first Lauren Rose Albert Foundation Endowment scholarship recipient, Lateefa Green, at the event. Green is an RCSJ nutrition major in the Nursing and Health Professions Division.
“Miller added, “We're thrilled that Lateefa could meet Susan and the other Foundation Board members today—and that the Board had the chance to connect with the students whose lives they're impacting."
Susan Hall, dean of RCSJ's Nursing & Health Professions Division, also spoke at the event, expressing gratitude for her experiences with the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation and for the foundation's support of RCSJ students.
“After nearly 25 years at the college, I can say with certainty that being part of Mothers Matter has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. The impact of this organization touches not only me, but our faculty, staff, and students every day. Thank you for your continued support, and congratulations to Miss Green on this well-deserved honor," shares Hall.
In closing, Brenden Rickards, RCSJ interim president, thanked the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation for their generous endowment to the college.
“I've always felt a deep connection to this Foundation and to the mission inspired by Lauren and the work of Mothers Matter. Supporting individuals throughout their entire educational journey—not just academically, but in shaping who they become and how they will serve their community—is incredibly important to me. That's why this endowment means so much, and I'm truly excited to see the impact it will make. Thank you so much," said Rickards.
For more information about the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, visit laurenslegacy.org and for more information about the Rowan College of South Jersey Foundation, visit RCSJ.edu/Foundation.
