Cranford, NJ – The Union County College Foundation hosted the 9th Annual Close the Gap Cocktail Reception on Wednesday, July 17 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth raising $60,000. This signature event supports the College’s strategic initiative to increase the graduation rates of African-American students, to effectively “close the achievement gap.” Since the launch of this campaign, the graduation rate of African American students has more than quintupled.
Each year, the Foundation recognizes leaders of distinction, with Angela Adderley receiving the 2024 Community Leader of the Year award and George L. Cooke III receiving the 2024 Frank Bolden Honorary Award. Ms. Adderley has been an entrepreneur in the fast-food industry for nearly 30 years and currently owns and operates ten McDonald’s franchises in New Jersey. Over the course of her career, she has received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Ronald Award, Community Distinction Award, and most recently the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award.
George L. Cooke III has lived in Hillside for over 40 years and has maintained a connection to his community as a public servant, most recently as Councilman-At-Large. Mr. Cooke has been a member of the Hillside Scholarship Fund since 1986, the Lions Club since 2017, and as a trustee on the Union County College Foundation Board since 2017. He has been a tireless advocate for UCNJ students and has led several fundraising efforts to support the Close the Gap campaign.
“At UCNJ, student success and social justice are our priorities, and we believe that receiving a high-quality education is a transformative opportunity for our students. With nearly a decade of Close the Gap initiatives, the UCNJ community and our donors are committing to providing financial resources, mentorship, and opportunities for our African American students,” stated UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.
The Foundation launched the Close the Gap Campaign in 2015 and has raised approximately $500,000 to support student scholarships, emergency funding, and other support services. For more information on Close the Gap or to make a donation, go to https://www.ucc.edu/union-county-college-foundation/ways-to-give/donate-today/.
UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.
