Rutherford, NJ— Anthony Steiner ’82, a former nurse at Bergen Pines Hospital (known today as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center), a veteran of the United States Army, B-Company, 1st Battalion-11th Special Forces, and a Purple Heart recipient, was the first male BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) student and graduate of Felician University in 1982. He has always taken his mission to serve the community seriously.

Steiner applied to Felician in 1980 to continue his education after a lengthy 21-month recovery from combat injuries sustained during his military service. At this time, Felician was still six years away from being a fully co-ed university. Steiner’s qualifications, including a BA in Business Administration from Manhattan College and his service as an 18 Delta Green Beret Medical Sergeant, made him an ideal candidate for admission.

Breaking Barriers in Nursing

As the only male in Felician’s nursing program at the time, he might have expected significant challenges fitting in with classmates. For Steiner, this was never the case.

More than simply welcoming him, his classmates fostered an environment where everyone was invested in each other’s success. He recalls that there was little sense of competition among students; instead, they encouraged each other to earn the highest grades possible.

Steiner wasn’t allowed in the dorms, the convent, or most of the University’s spaces as they were off-limits to men, yet his classmates always made him feel included. Even when he was studying off campus, it never hindered others in his program from seeking him out to share materials and help him prepare for exams and succeed.

“When I showed up for the first official day, I learned that most of my classmates had never had a male classmate before. They adopted me as their brother,” said Steiner. “I can’t say enough nice things about my classmates; they were wonderful.”

Putting Training into Action at Home and Abroad

During his first week of classes, Steiner witnessed a classmate suffer a medical emergency and immediately stepped in and began performing CPR. The on-campus clinic supported his efforts by providing medical supplies, including IVs and medication, to assist with the response and subsequent transportation for medical care.

This was his first instance as a nursing student where he realized he was destined to study at Felician, and that his years of serving others would now come to light in a new way.

In another first, Steiner joined the nursing program’s inaugural international trip to Yucatan, Mexico, arriving with just his notebook and film camera. Immersing themselves in the village by living amongst the locals, Steiner and his classmates were able to interpret the differences in culture, daily life, and access to healthcare by working closely with women and children at their clinics. Though he arrived with only that notebook and camera, he left with vivid memories that will last a lifetime.

Steiner also played an active role in campus ministry as an altar boy, creating deep bonds with the sisters. To him, they were not just his teachers or admirable religious figures, but the critical foundation of what made Felician so successful.

Gratitude for the Next Generation of Nursing Students

Today, he’s proud of the school’s efforts to keep academic excellence at the forefront of every learning experience, and even prouder that his own daughter is studying in the same program just 44 years later.

“I have a lot of fond memories here, and I would do anything for this university. I truly mean it,” said Steiner.

Steiner’s journey is a testament to the lasting impact of a Felician education, inspiring students to grow personally while making a difference in their communities and beyond.

To thank him for his brave dedication to the United States Army and transformational legacy as a student, Steiner will be honored at this year’s 6^th annual Ruck March ceremony on Friday, November 6, in Ray’s Place on the Rutherford Campus.

Anthony Steiner and his daughter, Katherine Steiner, at this year’s White Coat ceremony.

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About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Felician University was recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, earning distinction as the No. 1 college for women in New Jersey. Additionally, Felician has been named a best value school by payscale.com and Money magazine, and as one of the best college locations in NJ (#4) by niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need, justice and peace are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu/