“Tonight, we celebrate an extraordinary outpouring of generosity in support of the Gala and our ‘For the Ambitious’ campaign, an inspiring reminder of how deeply our university believes in the power of education to change lives,” said Brett Amendola ’91, a member of the Quinnipiac Trustees and the For the Ambitious campaign chair. “We thank the donors here tonight who have already committed their support in honor of the gala.”

Two-hundred members of the university community attended the second Quinnipiac Gala at The Glasshouse on the West Side of Manhattan.

“When we launched our campaign last fall, we were at the halfway mark on our journey to raise $160 million, with dedicated trustees, alumni board and advisory council members, treasured alumni, community partners, friends and most importantly our wonderful students and faculty and staff helping to create this call to action,” Amendola said. “Tonight, we celebrate an extraordinary outpouring of generosity in support of the Gala and our For the Ambitious campaign, an inspiring reminder of how deeply our university believes in the power of education to change lives. We thank the donors here tonight who have already committed their support in honor of the Gala.”

He told the attendees that their generosity empowers student scholarships, ignites innovative programming, advances faculty excellence and strengthens the facilities that will share generations to come.

Chuck Saia ’91, MBA ’93, thanked everyone in attendance for their unwavering support of Quinnipiac students.

“The dedication of your time and philanthropy is simply amazing,” he said.

When he joined the Quinnipiac Board of Trustees and he and his wife, Allison, established a fund to support students, he said his life was changed for the better.

“For our students, scholarships are not just financial assistance, it is reassurance, opportunity and possibility,” Saia said. “I used to say I am a terrible philanthropist. While I give, I hated the part of asking people to support our Foundation and Fund at Quinnipiac. It gave me this uneasy feeling. But I have grown since joining the Board of Trustees and launching the You Got This, Kid! Leadership Foundation. I now look at me asking you for support is me giving you a gift. The gift I am giving is the feeling one gets when they help a student be successful, a gift that someday a student will look you in the eye and say, ‘Thank you for giving me my start.’”

Kofi Wilson-Sey ’28, who is studying supply chain management at Quinnipiac, spoke about the significance of donors on his life.

“Because of scholarships and the incredible support from the Office of Inclusive Excellence, the Quinnipiac veterans community, faculty and my peers, I have been able to fully commit to my education. Today, I stand before you as a two-time Dean's List honoree,” said Wilson-Sey, who was born in Obuasi, Ghana and is a U.S. Army veteran. “More than the recognition, scholarships gave me something far greater: They opened doors I once thought were out of reach, gave me the stability to focus on my education without the weight of financial stress and instilled in me a deep sense of confidence and pride, allowing me to see myself as someone truly worthy of those opportunities.”

He said the night was not just about funding education, but about unlocking potential.

“It's about creating opportunities for students like me with ambition, resilience and a story that's still being written,” he said. “Your generosity does more than support a university. It truly transforms lives — and I am living proof of that. On behalf of myself and so many others whose journeys are still unfolding: Thank you! Thank you for believing in us, investing in us and making stories like mine possible.”

President Marie Hardin stressed the significance the campaign can have on students’ lives.

“This is a community that is fiercely committed to ensuring that every Bobcat thrives,” she said. “That commitment is one of our core values. It runs deep among us — and it involves caring about one another and valuing one another. We’re an institution that seeks to be bold in our spirit and action. The Quinnipiac community forges a path of impact together.”

She and Paul Calamita, MBA '92, alumni board president and Quinnipiac board of trustees member, celebrated two outstanding alumni — each with a Distinguished Alumni Award: John Abella ’83 and Lynne L. Pantalena, JD ’85.

“These prestigious honors recognize alumni who have achieved exceptional professional success, made meaningful contributions to their communities and brought distinction to the university,” said Calamita. “These awards recognize a graduate's outstanding achievements, leadership and service, often reflecting the university's values and legacy of excellence.”

John Abella ’83, was recognized as a dedicated steward of the Quinnipiac legacy and for embodying the spirit of a distinguished alumnus.

His impressive career is matched by his enduring commitment to Quinnipiac, where he serves as vice chair of the Board of Trustees and a longtime adviser to the School of Business. His focus on student ambition ensures his contributions create the maximum possible benefit.

Through The Abella Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, he and his late wife, Cheryl, have acted as catalysts for opportunity. Since 2013, their generosity and vision have empowered 11 first-generation and high-need full-time students to pursue their boldest ambitions at Quinnipiac.

With more than three decades of business expertise and leadership, he is co-founder, partner and president of Strategic Alliances at RJT Energy Consultants LLC, an energy procurement firm headquartered in North Haven, Connecticut.

The Abella family is also part of the Quinnipiac legacy story. Bianca (Abella) Gast ’11, MBA’12, is a senior manager at Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory and a member of the Cybersecurity Advisory Council in the School of Computing & Engineering. Bianca’s husband, Michael Gast ’10, MBA’12, is a former men’s lacrosse player and has worked in institutional sales at Interactive Brokers since 2012.  Kayla Abella ’14 is an account manager for brand experience at Roku, Inc.

Lynne L. Pantalena, JD ’85, was also awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award.

A preeminent member of the Quinnipiac Board of Trustees, she is a steadfast leader, donor and advocate for Quinnipiac, and has championed the School of Law through her extensive service and philanthropy.

She attributes much of her distinguished legal career to the influential foundation provided by her Quinnipiac law professors, and her exceptional philanthropy ensures future legal scholars will have the same opportunities. Pantalena has helped to shape the future of the School of Law through major milestones including student scholarships, the naming of the Lynne L. Pantalena Law Library, and a landmark commitment to fund a named faculty chair.

In addition to contributing her perspective and experience to the Board of Trustees, she has mentored Quinnipiac law students and graduates and participated in law school panels and programs on professionalism.

With more than 30 years of professional experience, Pantalena led a team of wealth management advisers to high-net-worth clients in the areas of estate, tax and financial planning, business succession and strategic philanthropy. Formerly an attorney in private practice, she is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and its Estates and Probate Section and is a past member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. Now retired, she serves as a commissioner of the New England Commission of Higher Education.

As one who sees and has personally experienced the positive impacts Quinnipiac has had not only on its students, but also on the clients and communities they serve, Pantalena’s commitment to her community is defined by high-level stewardship.

James W. McGlothlin (posthumous) and Frances G. McGlothlin were awarded the Distinguished Leadership and Impact Award.

The Distinguished Leadership and Impact Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose significant, lasting contributions have strengthened the Quinnipiac community. By honoring exceptional service, advocacy and philanthropy, this award celebrates those who address critical social, economic, and environmental needs.

A 2011 inductee into the Quinnipiac School of Business Hall of Fame, James W. McGlothlin was a supporter and friend to the university for many years until his passing last year. The celebrated Virginia businessman and visionary philanthropist believed deeply in the transformative power of education. A scholarship founded by Jim and his wife, Fran, has created a life-changing legacy which helps high school students from his hometown of Grundy, Virginia to thrive as Quinnipiac undergraduate students.

Since 2012, the scholarship has supported 17 students from Virginia’s Mountain Mission School by providing financial assistance to fuel their promise at Quinnipiac. Located in Grundy, Virginia, Mountain Mission School provides education and care to thousands of orphaned and in-need children from around the globe.

He was a lifelong supporter and board member of Mountain Mission School.  He was a member of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and the PGA Tour Board, a past chairman of the National Coal Association, a national trustee of The First Tee and he served on numerous public corporate boards including CSX Corporation, Star Oil & Gas Ltd., Dominion Bankshares and Bassett Furniture Company.

Jim and Fran shared a deep passion for art, education and giving back. In addition to uplifting Quinnipiac students, they were transformational benefactors of The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and their alma mater, William and Mary, where they established the McGlothlin Leadership Forum, McGlothlin Scholars and funded many other projects for the school.

Laeticia Iboki, MS ’19 was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award.

The Young Alumni Achievement Award is an honor given to an individual who is early in their career but shows exceptional promise, talent and leadership potential in their field.  

A rising star in her field and strong supporter of Quinnipiac, Iboki’s professional success is matched only by her dedication to the success of the next generation. In addition to contributing to historic breakthroughs including the development of the COVID-19 and PREVNAR-20 vaccines at Pfizer, she extends her expertise and enthusiasm to supporting Bobcat student success.

Iboki earned a master’s degree in molecular and cell biology from Quinnipiac in 2019. As a mentor to Quinnipiac biology students and a member of the Quinnipiac College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Council, Iboki translates her high-level experience into tangible guidance and support.

As a scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim, she works in research and development. She has also held several scientific positions with companies at the forefront of research and development including Unilever, BioMedica Diagnostic and Pfizer.

As a mentor, Iboki encourages Quinnipiac students to leverage opportunities and stretch themselves to excel in their learning and professional development. During her academic career, Iboki was given the opportunity to expand her knowledge in the scientific field by conducting research and presenting at large and prestigious conferences such as the American Society for Microbiology and Posters on the Hill (Washington, D.C.). She received many scientific awards including the Noble Procter award for excellence in Undergraduate Research, American Society for Microbiology Student Postdoctoral Award and the American Society for Microbiology Undergraduate Research Capstone fellowship. 

Alpaugh said each honoree’s belief in Quinnipiac’s mission fuels innovation, expands access and strengthens the student experience in meaningful ways.

“Because of the generosity and support from our honorees, today’s students benefit from enhanced resources, expanded opportunities, and a community that is deeply invested in their success,” said Heather Alpaugh, assistant vice president for alumni engagement. “These honorees remind us that alumni impact does not end at graduation. In many ways, it is just the beginning. Their continued partnership ensures that Quinnipiac’s future is as bold and promising as its past.”

Ike Ejiochi '15, who was inducted into the School of Communications' Hall of Fame last year and is a correspondent on ABC News' "World News Tonight,” hosted the event.

“The professors, mentors and friends I met in Hamden helped me lay the foundation for career success, and I would not be where I am now – without all of them,” he said.

The Quinnipiac Legends, the university’s acapella group, showcased student talent with a powerful rendition of “How Will I know.”

Nick Wormley ‘00, MBA ’02, concluded the evening with words of appreciation.

“What an unforgettable night. A night powered by ambition, possibility and the incredible people who make Quinnipiac extraordinary,” he said. “Tonight, we saw alumni who are leading. Students who are ready to change the world, faculty and staff who spark new ideas and partners who push us to dream bigger. That’s Quinnipiac: Bold, driven and united. ‘For the Ambitious’ isn’t just a theme; it’s a promise. When we invest in people, we ignite futures and your generosity tonight shows you believe in what’s possible.”

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