The Centenary University Board of Trustees has elected respected fundraiser Rochelle A. Makela-Goodman ’97 to chair the university’s governing body effective Jan. 1, 2021. A former resident of Hackettstown, she previously served as Second Vice Chair of the university’s Board of Trustees and has been a member of the board since 2009. In 2019, she chaired the search for the president of the university resulting in the hiring of Bruce Murphy, Ed.D. Makela-Goodman replaces retiring board Chair Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84, who will retain an emeritus seat on the board. 

“I am honored to lead the Centenary University Board of Trustees at a pivotal time for education in our country,” said Makela-Goodman, who will serve a renewable four-year term. “Centenary has served the learning needs of a diverse community since its founding in 1867 and continues to transform lives today. I look forward to advancing this critical asset for the region, the state, and beyond. Centenary’s educational offerings and expansion into the health sciences are critical to the economic and workforce vitality of our region.”         

A 1997 graduate of Centenary, Makela-Goodman is director of gift planning at Princeton University. She began her distinguished career in fundraising as Centenary’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.