On Saturday, April 28, 2012, The Paul G. Gaffney II Roast, an evening of fun and tribute highlighting the life and accomplishments of President Gaffney, will be held at Monmouth University’s Multipurpose Activity Center.
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed by dinner and an unforgettable roast of the reluctant “Man of the Hour.” This will be the only fundraising dinner honoring the President during his tenure at Monmouth University.
George Kolber, the event chairman, stated, “The response from donors, trustees, alumni, students, administration, faculty, celebrities, elected officials, and others has been amazing.” He added, “There will be no better opportunity for people to show their support of Monmouth University and appreciation to Paul Gaffney.”
Robert B. Sculthorpe ’63, board chairman, recently announced that President Gaffney will retire on June 30, 2013, after ten years of service. He noted, “Under President Gaffney’s leadership, Monmouth University constructed the $57-million Multipurpose Activity Center, debt free; oversaw its largest capital campaign drive raising over $50 million; established its first doctoral program; increased quality of student academic qualifications with ten years of incoming classes with consecutively higher GPAs; and raised the profile of our University.”
Monmouth established Centers of Distinction including the Urban Coast Institute, Rapid Response Institute, Monmouth University Polling Institute, Kislak Real Estate Institute, Center for the Arts, and the Institute for Global Understanding. Gaffney also oversaw NCAA reaccreditation and reaffirmation of Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2006.
A retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, President Gaffney’s distinguished military service spanned three decades and included duty at sea and overseas assignments in Japan, Vietnam, Spain, and Indonesia. While president of the National Defense University from 2000 to 2003, he also served as Chief of Naval Research.
All proceeds from The Paul G. Gaffney II Roast will benefit Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, the Department of Communication in The Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Paul G. Gaffney II Scholarship.
Tickets are $500, with sponsorships available.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.monmouth.edu/roast.
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Media contact: Petra Ludwig at 732-263-5507