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Dean C. Pappas (right), and Zoe S. Pappas (center) at the announcement of their $1,150,000 gift to The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. At left is Dr. Tom Papadometriou, a member of the Stockton Hellenic Studies faculty.

Galloway Twp., NJ- As an undergraduate college student at Dickinson College in 1961, Richard Stockton College of NJ Trustee Dean C. Pappas underwent “a transformational experience” when he heard the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak to the student body.

“Until that point I was sort of drifting my way through college, but Dr. King’s message was very impressive.  It made me start to think more seriously about my future.  Basically, his message was to act responsibly. It was a moment that changed my life.”

Mr. Pappas, a member of the Stockton College Board of Trustees since 2006, wanted students at the College to have similar access to outstanding visiting scholars.  To that end, Mr. Pappas and his wife, Zoe S. Pappas, have donated $1 million to establish the Dean C. and Zoe S. Pappas Visiting Scholar Endowment Fund and $150,000 to establish the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies (ICHS) Endowment Fund.  The Pappas Visiting Scholar Fund will be used to bring noted scholars and thought leaders to the College for classes, workshops and public events.  The ICHS Fund will help support faculty research, student educational opportunity, study abroad programs, among other initiatives, under the umbrella of the ICHS.

“Dean and Zoe Pappas’ generous gift is certain to provide our students with access to some of the great contemporary voices in education, culture and civic engagement,” Stockton President Herman J. Saatkamp said.  “Just as Dr. King’s words inspired Dean to do great things in his life, Dean and Zoe’s gift will provide similar opportunity for current Stockton students and those who will follow. We are most grateful to Dean and Zoe for this wonderful gift.”

Dr. Philip T. Ellmore, Chief Development Officer added, “A gift of this magnitude ensures our ability to regularly host a well-known and respected scholar or thought leader in a wide range of educational opportunities for the benefit of Stockton students, faculty, staff and the local community, and the ICHS Endowment will help ensure the strength and expansion of the ICHS program.”

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