Past President, NJCPA 1984 - 1985
If you’ve never heard John’s name before, just know that in many ways, he is the patriarch of today’s NJSCPA Scholarship Fund. It could be said that his passion for the Fund was forged even before its founding, when, in 1955, John was one of five lucky high school seniors to receive a $1,000 scholarship, a significant amount of money 58 years ago, to help pay his college tuition.
Thirty 30 years later, John was afforded the opportunity to help a new generation of high school seniors when he was nominated for President of the Society. We’ll let John tell the rest of the story in his own words. The following is excerpted from his speech at the 2011 Scholarship Awards Ceremony:
“As I prepared for my term as President, I wanted a theme, or to tackle an issue or project that could be accomplished within my term as President. Because of my familiarity with the internal dynamics of the Society, I knew the Scholarship Fund was weak and needed strengthening. Although the Fund had been in existence for 26 years, it was heavily subsidized by the Society. Four $3,000 scholarships were granted annually to high school students who were seriously planning to major in accounting.
Recognizing the need for students in 1985, and the scholarship program structure already in place, I decided to initiate a full-fledged campaign and set a goal — $100,000. While many felt this was an unrealistic goal, I was not daunted by the lack of optimism. I felt the chapters would support the campaign, but could not specifically identify additional support except to hope and believe it would come forward. I was confident in my plans and preliminary preparations.
Well, miracles do happen. First, two widows of past presidents came forward with $10,000 contributions each. I made personal contact with all living past presidents for support, and the chapters all responded with fundraising events. About this time in 1986 an attorney and Society member who administered a charitable trust, came forward with a check for $20,000.
The final count was just over $148,000, and we awarded 22 scholarships in 1986. But, the success did not end with the term of my office. Each year the support has continued.”
Thanks to John and members like him, over the last six decades the Fund has granted more than $4 million in awards.