Faculty members and students gathered in the recently renovated lobby of the Science Building on October 4 to celebrate the naming of the Anne and Denis Hruza Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. The laboratory was named for two enthusiastic alumni supporters of the School of Science. Dr. Denis E. Hruza earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Monmouth in 1968 and returned to complete an MBA in 1977. Mrs. Hruza earned her MBA from Monmouth in 1981.
“This is a milestone gift for the School of Science,” said Dean Michael Palladino. The Hruzas have pledged $100,000 to support chemistry students. Dean Palladino noted that it was the largest named gift that the School of Science has received to date. “We are honored to name the analytical chemistry laboratory after Anne and Denis and very fortunate to have them involved in supporting our vision for the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Through their wonderful generosity the Hruzas are providing instrumentation for teaching and research and funding for student-faculty research experiences. Future generations of chemistry majors will benefit from this enduring gift every time they enter the Anne and Denis Hruza Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.”
Mrs. Hruza retired as a manager from International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) in Hazlet, NJ, in 2002. During a diverse career, she became a chemist specializing in quality control. A gifted artist as well as a scientist, Mrs. Hruza is an active member of the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury and the Ocean County Artists Guild. She has created watercolor paintings during alumni events and presented several of her studies to the University.
At the dedication of the laboratory, she encouraged students, especially female students, to pursue careers in the sciences, saying, “Go for it!”
Dr. Hruza is a regulatory affairs consultant, specializing in regulatory training, security plans, OSHA regulations, and global harmonized shipping. Before his retirement, he was a transport regulatory specialist with IFF for more than 40 years. Dr. Hruza is currently a consultant to Global Essence, Inc. of Freehold, NJ.
Dr. Hruza’s involvement with the company has led to internships and postgraduate employment for Monmouth students, including Sean Grimes ’12, who is now working as an analytical chemist at Global Essence.
The Hruzas are also supporters of the Summer Research Program (www.monmouth.edu/srp), a 12-week, student-faculty collaborative research program where students work on original research projects under the supervision of Monmouth University faculty and staff.