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Linda Bowden, MA '78 and Enterprise Holdings to be Honored during University's 28th Annual Legacy Award Gala on April 19, 2018

Tickets are available for the Legacy Award Gala

Linda Bowden, MA ’78

Alumna Linda Bowden, MA ’78, New Jersey regional president of PNC Bank, and Enterprise Holdings will be honored for philanthropy, leadership, and community service as the William Paterson University Foundation hosts its 28th annual Legacy Award Gala on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at The Grove in Cedar Grove. The gala is the Foundation’s largest event to raise funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence through student scholarships.

“Support for the Legacy Award Gala demonstrates our commitment to raising funds that enable our students to succeed,” says Kathleen Waldron, University president. “All proceeds directly benefit student scholarships.”

“Linda Bowden and Enterprise Holdings have made a significant impact on the William Paterson University community,” says Pamela Ferguson, vice president for institutional advancement. “On behalf of the entire University community, I thank them for their partnership, leadership, and friendship.”

Bowden has more than 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry and is the New Jersey regional president of PNC Bank. In this position, she is responsible for providing executive leadership and supporting client relationships and business development initiatives, as well as supporting the firm’s community-based activities.

Bowden adds extensive industry experience to PNC that spans every aspect of wealth management, having served as portfolio manager, trust and investment officer and as a manager overseeing private banking officers. Bowden has been named among the “25 Women to Watch” by U.S. Banker magazine and was recognized as one of the “Best 50 Women in Business” and “Power 100” by NJBIZ, a leading New Jersey business journal.

Prior to joining PNC in 2009, she was the managing director of Wachovia Wealth Management. Bowden began her career as a teacher for seven years in Wyckoff, N.J. and has authored two children's math books.

Bowden is active in a range of community programs. She serves on the board of the Drumthwacket Foundation, as well as the executive committees of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Choose New Jersey. In addition, Bowden is a member of the board of trustees of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She is also a Fairleigh Dickinson University PINNACLE recipient, the highest honor awarded to alumni. From 2009 to 2016, she served as a member of the William Paterson University Foundation board.

Enterprise Holdings Inc. operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent-A-Car brands through a network of more than 50 independent regional subsidiaries. The company is family-owned, spans beyond 90 countries, and includes 100,000 dedicated team members sharing common values. The company has become a leader in the transportation service industry by taking care of its customers, communities, and employees – and staying true to its mission.

Enterprise has been a strong partner of William Paterson University for more than 20 years. The company currently employs more than 50 William Paterson alumni.

Jennifer Santiago, talent acquisition manager, leads the Enterprise Human Resource team for Enterprise Holdings in northern New Jersey. She has assisted hundreds of William Paterson students with their own professional development via workshops and information sessions over the years.  In 2015, Santiago was honored as a corporate leader by Beta Gamma Sigma, an honor society in the University’s Cotsakos College of Business. She has been a member of the Career Development Center’s Advisory Board for eight years, speaking to faculty, staff, and students on job market trends, and corporate/collegiate partnership best practices. Working closely with the Cotsakos College of Business, she has served as a judge for the University’s Russ Berrie Institute (RBI) Sales Triathlons, has presented at the Crux of Industry Niche boot camps, served as an RBI Sales Career Boot Camp coach, and continues to present on topics for professional enrichment programs.

Tickets for the gala begin at $425; tables of 10 can be purchased for $5,000. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes a cocktail dinner reception and presentation of the Legacy Awards and Viennese desserts. For reservations, contact contact Davonna Approvato at 973-720-2478 or visit wpunj.edu/legacy.

William Paterson University is a leading public university in New Jersey with more than 10,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate academic programs offered by five academic colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Located on 370 hilltop acres in Wayne, the University offers a wide range of learning opportunities in its classrooms, laboratories and studios, and provides housing for nearly 2,700 students. The institution’s 410 full-time faculty are highly distinguished and diverse scholars and teachers, including 41 Fulbright scholars and recipients of numerous other awards, grants, and fellowships. The institution’s more than 76,000 alumni can be found throughout New Jersey, the nation, and the world.

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