Centenary University's Annual Scholarship Event 2025

Each year Centenary University spends more than $21M to provide scholarship support and institutional aid to students. The Annual Scholarship Reception helps to raise critical unrestricted scholarships to support students who may not otherwise be able to bridge the gap between tuition and financial aid.

The Gold Dome Award recognizes those who, through extraordinary vision and dedication, advance the mission of Centenary University. This year at our event we are proud to have honored three deserving individuals with a Gold Dome Award.

This year’s program will include presentations of Gold Dome Awards to: 

 • Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Director of the Master of Arts in Happiness Studies 

 • Mr. John H. Johnson, CU Board of Trustees Chair and owner of John Johnson Automotive Group 

 • Erbach Communications Group 

To Purchase Tickets: https://centu.org/annual_scholarship_event25

Individual Ticket Price: $200 per person* 

Faculty/Staff Ticket Price: $150 per person* 

*Price increases by $25 per ticket on March 15, 2025

We have a variety of sponsorship and advertisement opportunities available. 

For detailed information regarding individual sponsorship opportunities, please click here. 

We're also happy to work with you to create a customized sponsorship package that aligns with your philanthropic goals. 

Please contact Jen Vance at [email protected] to develop a custom sponsorship. 

All proceeds from the Annual Scholarship Event will be directed to the Campaign for College Scholarship Fund, providing much-needed financial assistance to our deserving students. 

Your generosity enables our best and brightest students to take part in educational programs and opportunities that, without the scholarship support from donors like you, would not be possible. Your generosity opens doors to transformative educational programs and opportunities that would otherwise be beyond reach.

Michael B. Lavery received an honorary degree from Centenary University in 2012 and has previously served on the Centenary University Board of Trustees. Michael is also the founding partner of Lavery, Selvaggi & Cohen, P.C.  Mr. Lavery is considered one of the state's foremost attorneys in the area of municipal government law.  Mr. Lavery is currently the Township Attorney for Parsippany-Troy Hills, Lopatcong, Mansfield, Oxford, Greenwich and Washington (Warren County) Townships, the Chester Board of Adjustment, and the Upper Delaware Soil Conservation District. Michael also serves the community as a member of the Hackettstown Medical Center Advisors Board and is the former President of the Hackettstown Medical Center Foundation Board.   In addition, he was the Mayor of Hackettstown from 2005 to 2011 and is the past president of the Hackettstown Chamber of Commerce. Finally, Mr. Lavery is the former State Chairman for the New Jersey Republican Party and formerly served as General Counsel to the NJGOP from November 2017 – 2020. On June 25, 2015, he was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to serve as a Commissioner for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, where he continues to serve.