Felician Announces 2021 Honorary Degree Recipients: Recognizing Excellence and Achievement!

Felician University proudly announces three Honorary Degree recipients for Commencement 2021. President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Deborah Visconi, Superintendent of the South Bergen Jointure Commission, Dr. Michael Kuchar and Commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Senator Robert Gordon will each be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. President James Crawford, III remarked, “Felician is honored to present Honorary Degrees to President Visconi, Dr. Kuchar and Senator Gordon – three individuals whose life’s work clearly embodies our Felician Franciscan Values and the University’s mission.” All ceremonies are taking place at the Lodi campus on June 26.

Deborah Visconi will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at the School of Nursing ceremony at 10 a.m. The President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center possesses 30 years of healthcare experience. She also sits as President for the Northvale Board of Health and Director for NJHA Health PAC. She led Bergen New Bridge to becoming the first hospital in New Jersey to connect with the NJ Health Information Network before joining the Collective Medical Network to help combat the opioid epidemic. She received her MA in Healthcare Administration from The New School and her past positions include Director of Operations at Morristown Medical Center and Senior Vice President of Executive Administration at Beth Israel Medical Center. In 2018, Deborah Visconi was named NJBIZ’s Healthcare Hero of the Year and in 2019, she was named as a Crain’s Notable Women in Healthcare nominee. Modern Healthcare also added her name to their Top 25 Women Leaders in 2021 for her accomplishments in developing policy, leading change, and guiding healthcare delivery improvement. Visconi resides in Northvale, NJ with her family.

Dr. Michael Kuchar will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at the School of Education and School of Business & Information Sciences ceremony at 1 p.m. Dr. Kuchar is the Superintendent of the South Bergen Jointure Commission which has a mission of increasing the independence of individuals with extraordinary challenges. He also serves as a doctoral mentor and lecturer at Seton Hall University where he was an Associate Professor of Education in the doctoral program for Education, Leadership and Management, and Policy. Dr. Kuchar was the Superintendent for the Bergenfield Public School District for 11 years and has more than 25 years of experience as a school district administrator. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Teaching from Fordham University, his EdM in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, and holds his BA from Seton Hall University. In 2020, NJASA recognized his administrative achievements with their Distinguished Service Award. Under Dr. Kuchar, the SBJC has expanded to 14 trustee districts and has a solid reputation for a state-of-the-art and compassionate special needs education. Dr. Kuchar currently resides in Oradell, NJ with his family.

Senator Robert M. “Bob” Gordon will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at the School of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 4 p.m. Currently the Commissioner of NJ BPU and board member of the NJ Transit Corporation, he served in the New Jersey Senate from January 8, 2008 to April 14, 2018 representing the 38th Legislative District. Gordon served in the General Assembly from 2004-2008 and was previously elected as Mayor of the Borough of Fair Lawn. A Fair Lawn, NJ native, Senator Gordon attended Williams College and earned a B.A. of Political Economy and Environmental Studies. He received his Master of Public Policy from Berkeley and has an MBA in Finance and Healthcare Management from the University of Pennsylvania. While serving in the Senate, he was the Majority Conference Leader and chairman of multiple committees. Through his work, he strives for transparency and accountability in the government. Senator Gordon is devoted to environmental and social issues that positively influence and support all communities. Senator Gordon resides in Fair Lawn, NJ with his wife, Gail Balph Gordon.