Sesquicentennial Medal presentations continue at CBA Gala

Rider University recognized six individuals at the College of Business Administration Gala on Oct. 24 at Jasna Polana in Princeton. Marianne Stankiewicz Battista ’56, M.A. ’70, Mark Sandberg and Norm Brodsky ’64 received Sesquicentennial Medals of Excellence and Dave Tierno, Howard Cohen ’71 and Marge O’Reilly Allen were honored with the inaugural College of Business Administration Lifetime Contribution Awards.

Rider established the Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The medal recognizes members of the Rider family whose exemplary achievements have brought honor to the University. Throughout the sesquicentennial, Rider will honor 32 deserving individuals and organizations for their significant contributions, years of service, and for going “above and beyond” in helping advance the University and serving the needs of students, alumni and the community.

In his remarks introducing Battista ’56, M.A. ’70, President Mordechai Rozanski called her one of the most beloved faculty members in Rider’s history. The University’s first full-time female accounting professor, Battista paved the way for the next generation of Rider’s female professors at Rider, and the accounting department where she taught now boasts a majority of women professors. In October 1997, accounting students, family and friends established the George and Marianne Battista Scholarship Fund to honor the many contributions of the Battistas during their tenure at Rider. George was also an alumnus and educator, as well as a professor, department chair and acting dean, and a driving force in creating the MBA program at Rider. 

Mark Sandberg, who created DAARSTOC, the organization that helps students develop critical career skills, was the evening’s second recipient. He started his career at Rider in 1970 as an assistant professor of organizational behavior and management. In 1987, he was named associate dean and director of graduate programs for the College of Business Administration. In 1995, he was named dean of the College when he resumed his service as a dedicated member of the faculty.

“It is hard to imagine where the CBA would be today without the leadership and influence of Dr. Mark Sandberg,” Rozanski said.

The third recipient, Norman A. Brodsky, was recognized for a career in business and entrepreneurial endeavors that, Rozanski said, is “matched by few.” Brodsky founded seven successful businesses, including Citi storage, the largest privately owned archive business in the country, wrote a book about entrepreneurship, and regularly appears on CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg TV.  

“You have invested your time and talent with our students, advising them and helping to shape them as the leaders of tomorrow,” Rozanski said of Brodsky. “I am proud to say that the Brodskys are dedicated friends of Rider.”

Following the distribution of medals, interim Dean Anne Carroll presented three inaugural College of Business Administration Lifetime Contribution Awards, which were established to thank people who have made significant contributions to the College of Business Administration.

“This evening, we will honor three individuals whose commitment to the CBA has made the College a stronger, more vibrant place for learning, professional development and research,” Carroll said.

The award's first recipient, Dave Tierno, who was not present at the gala, was instrumental in establishing the world class management consulting business at Ernst & Young after joining the firm in the late 1960s. In 2000, Tierno volunteered to join Rider's College of Business Administration as an executive advisor to the dean to help create the Center for the Development of Leadership Skills. “We are deeply honored to recognize his contribution to the growth and development of our College of Business Administration, our Center for the Development of Leadership Skills, our university and mostly importantly our students,” Carroll said.

Howard Cohen ’71, the chairman of EisnerAmper, L.L.P., one of largest accounting firm in the United States, received the second lifetime achievement award. A member and leader of the Rider University Accounting Department Advisory Council and a member of Rider’s Executive Advisory Council, Cohen has improved Rider’s curriculum, launched the nationally ranked online MAcc Program and generally created many opportunities for students and faculty.

“Your exemplary and extensive community involvement with so many outside organizations is a credit to you and an inspiration to all of us,” Carroll said. “ We are most fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of your generosity.”

Finally, Carroll recognized Marge O’Reilly Allen, associate professor and director of the Masters of Accountancy program and the Accounting Co-op program. O’Reilly Allen led the development of the Online MAcc and Fraud & Forensic concentration, both of which are now top 10 ranked programs. In her role as overseer of the Accounting Advisory Council, she had created a dynamic, engaged group of executives who provide, advice and counsel on curriculum and other matters, and who are a great resource to our students by providing co-op and internship opportunities and scholarship funding.  

“Under Marge’s leadership, the reputation of the accounting department has been elevated even further, resulting in growing enrollments in the programs they offer and a better overall student experience that prepares them to be true professionals in the field,” Carroll said.

At the close of the formal presentations, dinner was served, followed by dancing and the announcement of bids on the evening’s silent auction. All proceeds from the evening went directly to support student scholarships.