Caption for above photo: John C. Ford and Sandra Sollod Poster (center) with Dr. Chris and Mary Domes and Board Chair Anthony Latini, Jr.

Charter Day activities filled almost an entire week this year. One day after the Alumni Awards ceremony, Neumann held a very successful Day of Giving, raising more than $100,000 from 342 donors in just 24 hours. A series of celebratory events culminated on March 11, with ceremonies to honor two iconic university trustees: Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. and John C. Ford.

A Mass in memory of Mr. Bruder was held in Our Lady of Angels Chapel. A long-time benefactor of Neumann University, Bruder served on the University Board of Trustees since 1971 and was appointed a Lifetime Trustee in 2008.

Thomas Bruder and his family have generously donated more than $1.7 million to Neumann University. The Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center (1985) and the Bruder Athletic Fields (2012) bear his name. Mr. Bruder owned M.A. Bruder & Sons, Inc. (M.A.B. Paints) and retired as president in 2007.

On the same day, the university dedicated the John C. Ford Student Success Center to honor a generous donor and trustee for more than 25 years. Mr. Ford is currently the president of John C. Ford Associates, consultants specializing in organizational development and communication.

Neumann’s collection of academic support services was renamed in May 2021 to honor Ford for his years of support and to accurately describe the services, which now include academic coaching, academic advising, the writing center, disability services, SSS/TRIO, and career and personal development.