Alumni establish mentoring institute at William Paterson

William Paterson alumni William J. Pesce, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, and Henrietta M. Pesce, along with their children Michael and Katie, have donated a “generous gift” to establish the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute in the University’s Care Development Center.The Pesce family has been a longtime benefactor of William Paterson University.

The Institute is designed to ready students for their careers or graduate education by providing them with mentors who have a proven track record of success. This includes alumni, community partners and select William Paterson undergraduate students. It also will create an online community for mentors and mentees, and host networking events.

University President Kathleen Waldron spoke to the importance of the new institute.

“William Paterson University is tremendously grateful to Will, Henrietta, Michael and Katie for this very generous gift, which will benefit our students directly, regardless of their field of study,” Waldron said. “More than 40 percent of William Paterson students are the first in their families to attend college, and the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute will provide them with invaluable advice, encouragement, knowledge and networking opportunities as they pursue their academic studies, graduate and prepare for their first professional positions.”

Pesce was the first in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from William Paterson in 1973 with his bachelor’s. He has recently retired from his position as president and CEO of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., a Hoboken-based publishing firm.

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