October 28, 2020
Rochelle A. Makela-Goodman Elected Chair of Centenary University Board of Trustees
Veteran fundraising professional at Princeton University has served as a member of the University’s board for 11 years.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Oct. 28, 2020—The Centenary University Board of Trustees has elected respected veteran fundraiser Rochelle A. Makela-Goodman ’97 to chair the University’s governing body effective Jan. 1, 2021. A former resident of Hackettstown, she previously served as Second Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and has been a member of the board since 2009. In 2019, she chaired the search for the president of the University resulting in the hiring of Bruce Murphy, Ed.D. Makela-Goodman replaces retiring board Chair Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84/13 HA, who will retain an emeritus seat on the board.
“I am honored to lead the Centenary University Board of Trustees at a pivotal time for education in our country,” said Makela-Goodman, who will serve a renewable four-year term. “Centenary has served the learning needs of a diverse community since its founding in 1867 and continues to transform lives today. I look forward to advancing this critical asset for the region, the state, and beyond. Centenary’s educational offerings and expansion into the health sciences are critical to the economic and workforce vitality of our region.”
A 1997 graduate of Centenary, Makela-Goodman is director of gift planning at Princeton University. She began her distinguished career in fundraising as Centenary’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations before working at Lehigh University, where she held the position of Assistant Vice President for Advancement, and later, Assistant Vice President for Leadership Gifts.
Makela-Goodman joined Princeton University’s Office of Development in 2014. She now manages a team of philanthropic advisers who assist donors with deferred, life income, and estate gifts that advance the mission of Princeton. In addition to serving on the Centenary University Board of Trustees, Makela-Goodman has also been a member of the University’s President’s Circle, the precursor to today’s President’s Advisory Council, since 2005.
“I’m delighted to turn over leadership of the board to Rochelle Makela-Goodman,” said Gstattenbauer. “We have worked together for many years to advance the mission of Centenary University in serving a diverse group of students. Her extensive professional experience and deep commitment to the University and the Skylands Region will provide the strong leadership necessary at a time of growth for Centenary University.”
ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in Parsippany, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.