RCSJ Hosts Annual President’s Scholarship Reception, Awards Over $570,000 in Scholarship Support

The Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) Foundation hosted its annual President’s Scholarship Reception on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at the Sapphire Grand in Deptford. RCSJ leadership, Foundation members, donors, student scholarship recipients, and their guests, came out for an evening of celebration.

This annual event recognized the accomplishments of RCSJ students while thanking the generous contributions of donors who make these scholarships possible. This year alone, the Foundation awarded more than $570,000 in scholarships to help students achieve their educational goals.

Cody Miller, RCSJ’s executive director of Advancement and Foundation, was the master of ceremonies for the evening. He began the event by extending gratitude to those in attendance:

“This year is our largest scholarship reception. On behalf of the RCSJ Foundation board and our donors, we want to congratulate you all. We know what it took you to get to this moment, and we’re so very proud of you. We are honored to provide this scholarship assistance to help make your education at Rowan College of South Jersey more affordable and to support your success every step of the way.”

Throughout the academic year, the RCSJ Foundation raises funds to help provide financial support to students through scholarships, emergency assistance, lab kits, and coursework materials. Donors who consistently provide these funds were seated with the students who were awarded their respective scholarships.

“So, from me, from our Foundation, from our college, I just want to say congratulations again.” Miller added.

Dr. Brenden Rickards, president of RCSJ and chief academic officer, expressed how impactful this event is for the community.

“Tonight is about gratitude and recognizing the community that makes our students’ success possible. I want to thank our Board of Trustees and Foundation Board for their leadership and commitment to the mission of Rowan College of South Jersey. To our donors, thank you for your generosity, which opens doors, removes barriers, and creates life-changing opportunities for our students.

“To the families and friends here tonight, thank you for the encouragement and support that helped make this achievement possible. Student success is truly a shared accomplishment. And to our scholarship recipients, take a moment to reflect on those who helped you reach this milestone. Tonight celebrates your achievements and the many people who invested in your success. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited for what comes next.”

This year, a total of over 250 scholarships were awarded to students. Sarah Palese, director of the RCSJ Foundation and Alumni Relations, spoke directly to the recipients:

“Before me is a room full of extraordinary students. You are all academic scholars. It may not be a term that you’ve ever used for yourselves, but after tonight, it’s true. Some of you are attending college for the first time, some for a long time, and some have returned after a break. However you’ve arrived here, we are proud of you for choosing RCSJ.”

Palese continued, informing first-generation recipients and their families of the available resources through the Keating Family Presidential Institute for First Generation Students. Founded in 2024 by RCSJ’s first president, Dr. Fred Keating, a first-generation student himself, the institute provides mentorship, networking, an honor society, professional development, scholarships, and transfer support to obtain a baccalaureate degree.

“To those of you who are the first in your family to attend college, we say ‘Bravo.’ It’s not easy being the first on a path – to have questions and not know the answers, but keep moving forward anyway. Through the Keating Family Institute, we offer resources for you first-generation students, and we would like you to take advantage of them.”

“Don’t let these awards be the thing that satisfies you,” she concluded. “Let it be the fire that burns as you’re on your way to success, no matter what your dreams are.”

As the evening progressed, students were called up to receive their scholarship certificates. Donors presented awards as students posed for photos with college leadership.

Jandavid V., an RCSJ electrical engineering major, received two scholarships at the event. He shared the significance of receiving these awards.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Hughes Family and Wadsworth Cresse III Memorial Scholarships. Coming from a single-parent household, I understand firsthand how financial circumstances can stand in the way of pursuing higher education. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of these donors, I have the opportunity to further my education in electrical engineering, a field I am deeply passionate about, and to learn from dedicated educators who genuinely care about their students’ success.”

Jandavid continued, “These scholarships represent far more than financial assistance to me; they represent an investment in my future and a belief in my potential. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the donors and the Foundation for making my educational aspirations possible, and for providing students like me with opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.”