The Columbian Foundation hosted their 76th Annual Humanitarian, Achievement, and President’s Awards Dinner on Saturday, October 14 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ. Honorees included Christopher A. Capuano, president of Fairleigh Dickinson University; Anthony P. Colandro, founder & owner of Gun for Hire; Peter F. DiPaolo, M.D., board certified orthopedic surgeon; and Cav. Robert P. Marasco, former City Clerk of Newark. President of the Columbian Foundation, Thomas Cinque, presented the Distinguished Service Award honoring Joseph P. Petillo to his daughter, Ursala and son-in-law, Edward Carr.

Proceeds from the night benefitted student scholarships. Beneficiaries included Yolanda Guzman, Ella D’Amico, Samantha Cerasiello, Dominic Roskoski and Stefano Malaria, (Rutgers New Jersey Medical School); Jason Rusignuolo (New Jersey Institute of Technology); Bianca DeAgresta (Fairleigh Dickinson University); Gary Prato and Jake Wales (Seton Hall Law School).

The Annual Awards Dinner is the most critical of all the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. The attendees of this time-honored event not only provide tremendous support through their generosity, but also honor some of the truly outstanding men and women in our community.

About The Columbian Foundation: The Columbian Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1941 by business and professional men of Italian descent from Newark and surrounding communities. The objectives of The Foundation are dedicated to improving the cultural, educational, economic and social welfare of New Jersey citizens and institutions. For more information, visit www.ColumbianFoundation.com.