Jersey City, N.J. – March 14, 2025 – Saint Peter’s University today announced plans to honor members of the University community at Hearts & Minds: The Saint Peter’s University Scholarship Celebration on Wednesday, May 14 at The Grove in Cedar Grove, N.J. Hearts & Minds celebrates integrity, leadership and service to others with proceeds supporting the University’s General Scholarship Fund. Virginia “Ginny” Forrester Bender, Ph.D. ’78 will be presented with the Magis Award, Noreen Heath-Beaman ’86 & William Beaman will receive the Loyalty to Saint Peter’s Award and James G. Rizzo ’81 will be presented with the Professional Achievement Award.
“In my short time as president, I have had the privilege of getting to know and working with our honorees and I have been truly inspired by their impact on our community,” said Hubert Benitez, D.D.S, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “They exemplify the power of a Saint Peter’s education through their expertise, leadership and deep commitment to giving back and paying it forward. I encourage our community to join us in celebrating these outstanding individuals while supporting the striving students of Saint Peter’s University.”
Virginia “Ginny” Forrester Bender, Ph.D. ’78
Bender is special assistant to the president for institutional planning, chief of staff and secretary to the Board of Trustees at Saint Peter’s University. She is one of five siblings who graduated from Saint Peter’s and beginning as an admissions counselor, Bender spent more than 40 years at the University. She spearheads the University’s federal grants initiative and is the accreditation liaison officer and a frequent peer reviewer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Bender earned her undergraduate degree in French, summa cum laude, from Saint Peter’s, master’s in education from Rutgers University and Ph.D. in educational leadership from Fordham University.
Noreen Heath-Beaman ’86 & William Beaman
Heath-Beaman is an executive coach and head of leadership development at East Bay Executive Coaching and Consulting. Passionate about leadership development, she coaches C-suite executives and high-potential leaders. Heath-Beaman currently serves on Saint Peter’s Board of Trustees and is chair of its Finance Committee, where she is dedicated to advancing the University’s mission through strategic financial stewardship and support. In addition to her role at Saint Peter’s, she is the vice chair of Orion Advisor Solutions, chair of Brinker Capital Destinations Mutual Funds and an advisory board member at Commonwealth Financial Network. She earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting from Saint Peter’s University and a Master of Science in executive coaching and organizational consulting from NYU School of Professional Studies.
Heath-Beaman’s husband, Bill, enjoyed a distinguished career in finance, holding senior leadership positions across various financial services firms. With expertise in accounting, corporate finance and strategic planning, Bill has been instrumental in driving growth and operational efficiency throughout his career. He holds a Master of Science in accounting from Pace University and continues to stay engaged in mentoring roles.
James G. Rizzo ’81
Rizzo is a seasoned financial professional and community leader, who has served on the Board of Directors of BCB Bancorp since 2015, acting as business liaison and spearheading expansion efforts in Bergen County, N.J. He chairs the Investment and Capital Markets committees, overseeing the company’s investment portfolio and recent equity offerings. With over 30 years in high-yield bond markets, including managing director roles at Guggenheim Partners, Citicorp and Fleet Bank, Rizzo currently manages real estate. A Saint Peter’s University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, Rizzo serves on the Frank J. Guarini School of Business Board of Advisors at the University and previously served on its Board of Regents.
Guests of the event will enjoy a dinner reception, awards presentation and live fund-a-scholar auction all to raise money for the General Scholarship Fund. To purchase a sponsorship, tickets or digital journal advertisement, click here. For more information, please email heartsandminds@saintpeters.edu.
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For more than 150 years, Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit www.saintpeters.edu.
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