Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • May 22, 2013 Bolger receives honors David F. Bolger, Ridgewood philanthropist and chairman of the Bolger Foundation, has received an honorary doctor of humane letters from William Paterson University. He was honored last week at the 2013 WPU commencement, which was held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford. Bolger’s leadership gift to WPU funded the creation of the Nel Bolger, R.N. Nursing Laboratory. This patient simulation lab allows nursing students to learn in a facility that replicates hospital and clinical environments. Bolger has also provided the university with a challenge grant to support the refurbishment of Hobart Manor. The oldest building on the campus, Hobart Manor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bolger has also been named an ambassador of philanthropy by the Sarasota Healthcare Foundation. This honor is conferred upon those whose gifts have had a significant, documented impact on medical care within the community and beyond. Bolger recently provided $2.6 million to the Sarasota Healthcare Foundation for Sarasota Memorial’s new Urgent Care Clinic in Gulf Gate, Florida. Over the years, the honoree’s foundation has supported numerous community efforts, including projects at the Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and Midland Park libraries and is now refurbishing the vintage barn on the Marlow Park property to be used as the headquarters Recognition awards (continued from page 11) organizations, and a prime parking space for a year. Each recipient’s name was placed on a plaque. Romano also acknowledged and thanked this year’s selection committee: PTA Presidents Felice Yeshion, Christina Tillsley, Sarah Katopodis, and Rebecca Rund; Franklin Lakes Education Association President Donna Luciano; and last year’s Bergen County Teacher Recognition Recipients -- Stacey Raphael, Ruth Weiss, Erika Ehrlich, and Christopher Parr. “What a wonderful reason to celebrate excellence in our school community,” Romano concluded. Each year at this time, the Bergen County Teacher/Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program presents awards to teachers who are selected on the basis of their outstanding performance. The program acknowledges excellence and encourages teachers to continue to strive toward that goal. For the purpose of this program, teachers are defined as those whose primary responsibility is classroom instruction. The Bergen County Teacher / Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program was previously known as the “Teacher of the Year” award program. The program was established by a state law that was enacted in 2004 and known as the Governor’s Annual Educational Services Professionals Recognition Act. The law was enacted for the purpose of acknowledging those who hold educational services professional certificates and who exhibit outstanding performance. Recognition of educational services professionals is based on their contributions to the success of public schools and the important services they provide outside of the classroom environment that improve students’ academic opportunities, workforce preparedness, and overall quality of life. David F. Bolger for the Midland Park Ambulance Corps and for a community center. The foundation has also provided funding to the Ridgewood and Midland Park police and fire departments, and to the Valley Hospital. The Bolger Foundation is also a major contributor to the Christian Health Care Center, West Bergen Mental Health Care, and Bolger’s alma mater, the Northfield Mount Herman School in Massachusetts. Bolger is a graduate of the University of Pittsburg and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Woodside Avenue School: Emily Mier, honoree/special education teacher, Woodside Avenue School; PTA President Rebecca Rund, Woodside Avenue School; Helen Attenello, acting principal of Woodside Avenue School. High Mountain Road School: Sarah Katopodis, PTA President, High Mountain Road School; Superintendent Dr. Frank Romano; Ann Jameson, honoree/fourth grade teacher, High Mountain Road School; Jaclyn Bajzath, principal of High Mountain Road School. Colonial Road School: Linda Hay, honoree/first grade teacher, Colonial Road School; Christine Gagliardo, principal, Colonial Road School; Christina Tillsley, PTA President, Colonial Road School, fifth grade teacher.