The Rider University Board of Trustees has renewed the appointment of President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., for two years beyond his current agreement, to July 31, 2024.
Robert S. Schimek ’87, chairman of the board, said this was a unanimous decision of the trustees that “reaffirms our steadfast belief in President Dell’Omo’s leadership of our university,” according to a statement released by Rider University on Oct. 26.
In considering this decision, the board took into account the many significant achievements realized under Dell’Omo’s direction since his arrival at Rider in August 2015, Schimek said in the statement.
“The board also considered the importance of this moment in time, as he stewards the university through the many challenges related to COVID-19, as well as the vital work still to be done under President Dell’Omo’s leadership,” Schimek added.
Early in his tenure at Rider, Dell’Omo led a highly participatory strategic planning process, culminating with the approval in June 2017 of a new vision and mission and Our Path Forward, the university’s comprehensive multi-year strategic plan, according to the statement. With a strong focus on visionary growth, Our Path Forward is ensuring the university’s continued growth into the future and provides successive generations of Rider students a highly transformative and affordable college education.
Since Dell’Omo’s arrival, Rider has developed more than a dozen new undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including the university’s first doctoral program in educational leadership, according to the statement. With leadership and support provided by Rider’s world-class faculty and staff, the university launched its new Engaged Learning Program, a cornerstone of the strategic lan. Students are required to complete at least two high-impact engaged learning experiences, such as study abroad or guided research, to satisfy their graduation requirements.
As part of the strategic plan, a campus master facilities plan was completed in February 2018 and a comprehensive fundraising campaign is underway. Donor support for the university continues to grow with record funds raised over the past three years which has helped support major capital improvements in academic, residential, student affairs, and athletic facilities, as well as endowed programs and scholarships, according to the statement.
In 2019, Rider received the largest philanthropic gift in its 155-year history when alumnus Norm Brodsky and his wife Elaine made a $10 million gift to endow a scholarship for business students and to support future business projects, according to the statement. In turn, the university announced that Rider’s College of Business Administration would be known as the Norm Brodsky College of Business.
Dell’Omo also helped to lead the successful transition of Westminster Choir College from Princeton to Lawrenceville, a process which concluded in the summer of 2020. This effort to create one strong, resilient and cohesive university represents another investment in the future of Rider, according to the statement.
Under Dell’Omo’s leadership, Rider introduced a new initiative in 2020, called Lifting Barriers, a series of new measures intended to strengthen the overall value of a Rider education, including a 22% reduction of annual undergraduate tuition, as well as robust support for career preparation and academic success, according to the statement. The Lifting Barriers initiative is designed to help students break through the significant obstacles they face in obtaining a college education and a successful career, including understanding the true cost of college and the ability to adapt, both socially and academically, in a college environment and beyond. Dell’Omo’s goal is to help lift any barrier that prevents a student from thriving at Rider University, including those who assume a private education is out of reach based solely on sticker price, according to the statement.
“In addition to his unwavering resolve to transform Rider into a fiscally strong institution committed to its mission of student growth, transformation and leadership, the trustees are confident in President Dell’Omo’s future vision and plan to ensure the successful growth and development of Rider University,” Schimek said in the statement. “I am certain his leadership will continue to propel our university forward.”
