It’s hard to believe we’re in the latter half of August. In a couple of weeks, it will be September; back to school, Friday night lights followed by trips to pick out Halloween costumes; Thanksgiving weekend and the commencement of the Christmas shopping season. Look out…2023 is right around the corner. Are you ready?
There is big news coming from Saint Joseph’s University (SJU). Back in the summer of 2020, University of the Sciences (USciences), a private university in Philadelphia that offered bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in pharmacy and other health-related disciplines, began a formal process to find a partner for collaboration, including the potential of a merger or acquisition. USciences was conceived in 1821 and chartered in 1822 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first pharmacy college in the nation. It offered more than 30 degree and certification programs across a wide range of pharmaceutical and health care-related disciplines. SJU was identified as a potential partner. As it turns out, it was a perfect fit for these two prestigious Philadelphia universities. After a year or so of due diligence, a definitive agreement to merge was signed in June of 2021. Over the course of the last year, faculty and staff at both institutions have been planning for the combination of systems, organizational structures and finances while remaining focused on providing the best possible experience for students. The merger was finalized in June 2022. The merger of SJU and USciences means acquisition of dozens of academic programs in health and science, expanding the university’s footprint in University City with state-of-the-art facilities, growing its endowment to half a billion dollars, and combining two alumni networks of nearly 100,000. SJU will expand its footprint with both city and suburban locations, totaling 161 acres. SJU’s iconic campus along City Avenue will be referred to as Hawk Hill and its newly acquired property will be referred to as the University City campus. “I’m proud that Saint Joseph’s is taking this bold step to provide access to in-demand health professions programs and to strengthen our university for generations to come,” said Mark C. Reed, EdD, president. “These excellent and well-established programs in disciplines like physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physician’s assistant allow us to meet market demand and position us for future growth in research, innovation and intellectual property development.”
So what does that mean for the CPG/ food industry? The Erivan K. Haub School of Business, with Joseph DiAngelo Jr., ’70, EdD, professor in the department of management, continuing as dean, will now offer programs at the intersection of business and pharmaceuticals. These health care-oriented business programs join other noteworthy Saint Joseph’s programs including food marketing, family business, real estate and insurance and risk management. Food marketing department chair, Dr. John Stanton, attended a conference where the topic of discussion was viewing the consumer as one regarding food, pharma and healthcare. It resonated with him and now the departments of food marketing, pharmaceuticals and health administration have become one. This combined department offers one-of-a-kind undergraduate programs including the world-renowned food marketing major and highly-ranked MBA programs in food marketing and pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing, as well as graduate degrees in the in-demand fields of health administration and health informatics. Not to worry, the Academy of Food Marketing will remain untouched and will continue its mission to promote and support food marketing education; to provide services to food marketing students, including scholarship aid, recruiting, internships and cooperative education, counseling and placement; to support the food marketing enterprise; and to support the development of talented graduates to serve all aspects of the food and allied industries.
Saint Joseph’s will now enroll approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it among the largest institutions in the Philadelphia region and among the top three largest private universities in the region. THWND!
Late last month, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) awarded its 2022 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship to 27 deserving students. This year, scholarship winners earned a total of $67,500 toward their goals in higher education. Recipients are chosen by a panel of judges who review each applicant’s academic record, school and community involvement, recommendations and a submitted essay. “Kudos to this year’s Ridge Scholars, who represent some of our brightest young adults,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “They have amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, service and leadership both academically and professionally. We are happy to recognize their efforts and help them reach their academic goals.” Individual scholarship amounts increased this year, awarding every student with a $2,500 scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year. In total, $67,500 in scholarships were awarded, an increase of $22,500 from 2021. Scholarship funds come from PFMA’s Education Trust as well as sponsoring PFMA member companies The Giant Company, Karns Foods, Rutter’s, Sheetz and Wawa. Established in 1996, the Ridge Scholarship honors the parents of former Gov. Tom Ridge. Thomas R. Ridge was a member of the food industry for 25 years, and his wife, Laura, was a great advocate of education for their three children: Tom, David and Vikki. To date, 627 students have earned Ridge Scholarships, and nearly $1.2 million has been awarded. For more information about the award process and a list of recipients go to https://www.pfma.org/news-blog/pfma-announces-27-recipients-of-its-ridge-scholarship.
Speaking of the PFMA, we send kudos to Baloga, who has been named to the 2022 “Pennsylvania Forty Under 40,” a statewide list of young changemakers from Erie to Easton. This year’s edition of City & State’s Pennsylvania Forty Under 40 received more nominations than ever before, both in terms of potential honorees and people participating in the nomination process. These Pennsylvania standouts all share a common drive to improve fellow Pennsylvanians’ lives through their words and deeds. Congrats, Alex!
As the ad on page 27 says, “The MAFTO Gala is Back!” The Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) is hosting its Gala November 4-6 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City for the first time since COVID upended our lives. This year’s honorees are best group of independents in the business: McCaffrey’s Food Markets, Murphy’s Fresh Markets, Henning’s and Graul’s Markets. Put them together and they form the Advantage Retail Group. Activities for the weekend include a welcome luau (don’t forget your tropical attire) at Landshark on the Boardwalk followed by a choice of Saturday afternoon activities: an afternoon at the movies, with an open bar, popcorn, and movie candy; or Fun-Tastic Art by Terri, which includes a light lunch and wine bar. The Gala is Saturday evening followed by Sunday morning brunch. This event is always worthwhile with delicious food and dancing, plus a chance to mingle with food industry glitterati. To register, book hotel rooms (they go fast), or be a sponsor of the event, go to www.mafto.org/gala. See you on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City!
The circle of life continues as we note the passing of a few industry members in recent weeks. Francis “Skip” Genuardi, left us earlier this month from a fairly long battle with lung cancer (see obituary on page 2). The first of the offspring of the five Genuardi brothers to pass, Skip lived in Florida since the sale of the company back in 2001. Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he fought the good fight, though he was pretty much isolated from friends and family. We send condolences to his wife Cathy, brother Larry and his relatives. Henry Longacre, father of Knauss Foods CEO Robert Longacre passed away earlier this month at the age of 80. Born in Quakertown, PA, he was employed and a partner in the family business, Longacre’s Poultry until 1984 when two private companies, Longacre and turkey supplier Wampler Foods Inc. of Hinton, VA, merged. Henry had an entrepreneurial spirit and was involved in starting up several businesses including Bakers Best and First Service Bank. He received joy in buying and selling, starting by going to farmer’s markets as a boy and continuing through his whole life, even in retirement, having a table at Rice’s Market where he loved interacting with people. In addition to Carol, his wife of almost 60 years, he is survived by his sons, H. William (Catharine), G. Robert (Lorena), and Cory L. (Linda) and 11 grandchildren. Memorial Contributions may be made to Swamp Mennonite Church or Spruce Lake Retreat. Rest in peace.
Taking another trip around the sun this summery month of August are: Charlie Bell and Marty Delinski, Acme Markets; Josh Brown, Brown’s ShopRites; Michael Bozzuto, Bozzuto’s; and Ed Rogers, L&L Brokerage. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “You are what you take time to become.” Joseph D. Shein, Esq.
Maria can be reached at [email protected] or 443-631-0172.