2015 "Many Are One" Alumni Awards Gala

New Jersey native George L. Miles Jr. (’63), Chairman Emeritus of the Chester Group and former president and CEO of WQED Multimedia, will be among the Seton Hall University alumni to be honored at the 2015 “Many Are One” Alumni Awards Gala on Friday, June 12 at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, N.J. Miles will be presented with the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award, which is the most prestigious alumni award given by the University to an individual who has been recognized as an outstanding leader in his or her professional field. Prior to Miles’ tenure at the Chester Group and WQED Multimedia, he served at WNET/Thirteen in New York, KDKA-TV and Radio in Pittsburg, P.A., as a contract auditor for the U.S. Department of Defense and in the U.S. Army. He sits on the Board of Directors of American International Group (AIG); Harley-Davidson; WESCO International; EQT Corp.; HFF; the University of Pittsburgh; Chester Engineers; Mt. Ararat Community Center; and the Ringling College of Art and Design. The black tie event will be emceed by 1010 WINS news reporter and anchor Glenn Schuck, who began his radio career in 1981 at Seton Hall University. The Many Are One alumni awards gala provides an opportunity to celebrate the ways in which the University’s alumni have positively influenced our world. Proceeds raised from the gala support four-year scholarships for children, grandchildren and siblings of alumni who attend Seton Hall; each selected student receives $36,000 in scholarship funds. Other honorees: Ingrid Johnson (’03, M.S.N. ’07), of Newark, Manager of Patient Access and Bed Management at Overlook Medical Center, will receive the Humanitarian Award for her passionate dedication and commitment to helping survivors of domestic human trafficking, specifically with the Newark and New Jersey Coalitions Against Human Trafficking and the Covenant House in Newark. This award embodies Seton Hall’s mission of servant leadership. The Alumni Impact Award will be given to Philip Sanford (\'05), of Toledo, Ohio, and Charolotte, NC, Service Support Specialist of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Center of Excellence at ADP. This award is presented to an alumnus or alumna whose extraordinary contributions of time, talent or treasure have greatly advanced the mission of the University. Sanford’s philanthropic works include working on the award-winning fundraiser “Get Your Rear in Gear” for the Colon Cancer Coalition, building multiple homes through Habitat for Humanity and participating in the American Heart Association Heart Walk in Charlotte. In addition, Service Awards will be presented to the following distinguished Seton Hall alumni: • Mary-Michael Levitt, Ed.S. ’96 – of Hackettstown, N.J., College of Education and Human Services, will be honored for her tireless work serving others during times of distress and tragedy. The sole proprietor and owner of the Riverview Counseling Center for more than 30 years, Levitt has been drawn throughout her life to assist people in need. As a New Jersey-certified disaster response crisis counselor and mental health co-lead for the American Red Cross of Northern Jersey, she has provided mental health assistance in the aftermath of hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, floods, fires, tornados and 9/11. • Bonnie A. Evans, M.H.A. ’02 – of Piscataway, N.J., School of Health and Medical Sciences, will be recognized for her leadership in the healthcare sector and her dedication to community service. Evans has served the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, N.J., campus, throughout her 41-year career, becoming the institute’s CEO in 2009. She has also held positions on various nonprofit boards, including: Friend’s Health Connection, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, the Executive Women of New Jersey and the New Jersey Sharing Network. • Mary Beth Childs ’78 – Millington, N.J., Stillman School of Business, will be acknowledged for her entrepreneurial success and commitment to Seton Hall. Today, she is the owner and president of MBC Marketing, previously spending 27 years in the sales and marketing division at Ford and Lincoln. She remains connected to her alma mater, serving on the University Board of Regents’ Athletic Committee, the Stillman School of Business’ Market Research Advisory Board and as a mentor in the school’s Women’s Leadership Program. • Camelia M. Valdes ’93 – born in the Bronx, N.Y. and raised in Newark, N.J. College of Arts and Sciences, will be recognized for her commitment to public service and her success in the field of criminal justice. Valdes, the Passaic County prosecutor, is the first Latina county prosecutor in New Jersey and the first lead prosecutor of Dominican ancestry in the U.S. Two of her most notable accomplishments include working on bills that created the New Jersey Drug Courts and the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry. She is the proud mother of two autistic girls, she endeavors to raise aware about autism and special-needs education. • Allan F. Wright, M.A./M.A.T. ’97– Basking Ridge, N.J., Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, will be honored for his service to the Diocese of Paterson and his dedication to Catholic education. Wright is the academic dean for evangelization for the Diocese of Paterson. A teacher of theology at both the high-school and university levels for more than 24 years, Wright has served his alma mater as an adjunct professor in the Department of Religious Studies and taught scripture at Assumption College for Sisters in Mendham, N.J. He is the author of six books and serves as the host of the Radio Maria show “Jesus the Evangelist”. • Daniel J. Keenaghan, Jr., M.A./M.S. ’07 – Washington, D.C., School of Diplomacy and International Relations, will be recognized for his leadership in the U.S. military, his outstanding work in public service and his dedication to staying connected with Seton Hall. Keenaghan currently works as a senior policy analyst for the Executive Office of the President in the White House Office of Management and Budget while also serving as a civil affairs officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Today, he continues to support Seton Hall as a guest lecturer for the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and as an active member of the Diplomacy Alumni of D.C. group. • Gregory Acquaviva, J.D. ’06 – Bloomfield, N.J., School of Law, will be acknowledged for his accomplishments in the field of law and dedication to his alma mater. Acquaviva currently serves as chief of staff to Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. While in office, his focus has been on the coordination and implementation of statewide economic growth and job-creation strategies. He is currently president of the Seton Hall Law Alumni Council and a member of the school of law’s Board of Visitors. • Regina Donroe Brewster ’64 – Succasunna, N.J., College of Nursing, will be honored for her dedication to the field of nursing and her tireless work with the 1964 Golden Pirates committee. She spent her career working as a school nurse and a psychiatric nurse in New Jersey and Rhode Island. She married fellow pirate, Richard ’64, after graduating and attended her 50th College of Nursing reunion last year. For more information and to register, visit www.shu.edu/manyareone or contact Carol Ann Koert at (973) 378-9849 or koertcar@shu.edu.