Glitter & Gold Gala on June 4 will also honor Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in happiness studies. 

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, April 2, 2025—Centenary University will present prominent New Jersey attorney Michael B. Lavery with the Gold Dome Award—the University’s highest honor—at the Glitter & Gold Gala on June 4. The annual event, which raises funds for student scholarships, will be held at David’s Country Inn in Hackettstown at 6:30 p.m. 

In addition, the University will present a Gold Dome Award to Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in the field of happiness studies and director of Centenary’s Master of Arts in Happiness Studies. Erbach Communications Group, a strategic communications firm, will also be recognized for its professional contributions to the University.

“Each year, the Glitter & Gold Gala raises significant scholarship funding that provides direct support for Centenary University students,” said Jordan Glatt, special assistant to the president and vice president for advancement. “College can be very difficult—or even impossible—for families facing financial challenges. Thanks to our gala supporters, more students have the opportunity to earn a Centenary University degree. This year, we are also pleased to recognize our honorees for their deep commitment to Centenary University and its students.” 

A founding partner of Lavery, Selvaggi & Cohen, P.C., Lavery is considered one of the state's foremost attorneys in the area of municipal government law. He is currently the township attorney for a number of municipalities in northwestern New Jersey and also serves the community as a member of the Hackettstown Medical Center Advisors Board and as the former president of the Hackettstown Medical Center Foundation Board. In addition, Lavery was the mayor of Hackettstown from 2005 to 2011, is past president of the Hackettstown Chamber of Commerce, and serves as a commissioner for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. He received an honorary degree from Centenary University in 2012 and has served on the University’s Board of Trustees. 

 Dr. Ben-Shahar directs Centenary’s Master of Arts in Happiness Studies—the world’s first academic degree of its kind. An internationally renowned expert in the field, he is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy and a best-selling author. Dr. Ben-Shahar achieved national recognition two decades ago when he taught one of Harvard University’s most popular classes, on happiness. Since then, he has also taught at Columbia University, written several best-selling books on the subject, and has appeared on major media as a happiness studies expert including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, CNN, the BBC, and Today on NBC. Centenary University presented Dr. Ben-Shahar with an honorary degree in 2023.

Erbach Communications Group (ECG) delivers strategic communications and branding solutions specializing in education, healthcare, and fundraising. Located in Lyndhurst, NJ, the firm executes strategies that bring a fresh perspective to the language, look, and feel of each client’s brand, and then integrates those strategies across multiple platforms to engage constituents and generate measurable results. ECG has partnered with Centenary University for more than 25 years, most recently on initiatives including media relations, alumni publications, and fundraising campaigns. This multi-year initiative has resulted in a significant increase in press coverage, as well as a gradual rise in the number of donors and contributions to Centenary.

For tickets, sponsorships, and advertisement opportunities, click here or go to centu.org/gala25.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY      

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.