Excellence in Journalism

Anne Buckley ‘52

Anne Buckley received the highest honor given by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, the 2001 St. Francis de Sales Award for Outstanding Contribution to Catholic Journalism.  She was editor-in-chief of Catholic New York, the award-winning weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of New York, of which she was a founding editor in 1981. Her Editor’s Report was cited as Best Regular Column that year, and the paper earned a consistent record of distinction for General Excellence.

Previously, she was managing editor of The Advocate, the weekly newspaper for the Archdiocese of Newark, where she became a staff member in July 1952, shortly after graduating from Caldwell with a Bachelor in Arts degree in English.  Becoming a journalist was Anne’s ambition from childhood. When the managing editor of The Advocate asked Caldwell’s dean, Sister Inez, if she could recommend a graduate, Anne saw the job as a way to learn. Before becoming managing editor in 1978, she had been a feature editor (after working up from librarian, cub reporter, youth and women’s page editor).  She won Catholic Press Association awards for human interest features and news reporting. She also designed and edited a monthly magazine supplement called Topic.

Along the way, Anne made the choice to remain in the Catholic press because of its special mission.  The struggle for racial equality in the ‘60s ignited her special interest in reporting on social issues and human needs from a Christian perspective.  

She contributed to the Catholic News Service, Catholic Digest, Sign, Extension, and The Catholic Layman.  She also wrote a short book about the final days of Cardinal Terence Cooke, founder of Catholic New York, entitled, “This Grace-Filled Moment.”  She served as president of the Catholic Institute of the Press of New Jersey and as director of its journalism school for high school students.

In 1999, Caldwell College awarded Anne an Honorary Degree in Humane Letters, one of the many recognitions from her alma mater.  In 1957, she was honored at Caldwell’s commencement and addressed the graduates on the role of the Catholic woman in the modern world.  She also received the Alumna of the Year Award in 1967 in recognition of her work producing the alumnae newsletter. In 2003, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair.  She is a member of the Board of Directors of The Christophers and of the Advisory Board of The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey.

Excellence in Education

Rosemary Gelshenen ‘43

Rosemary Gelshenen combines a high school and college teaching career with creative writing and television film experience.  Honored as Manhattan’s Teacher of the Year in 1983, she also holds that title from Norman Thomas High School. Rosemary taught English Skills at the School of Continuing Education, New York University, and had the distinction of teaching two other Manhattan Teacher of the Year.

Holding a Masters from Fordham, Rosemary has been the recipient of several Fellowships in World Literature and received an Impact II Developer Grant in 1985.  She has published articles in English Review, English Journal, English Language Newsletter and Writers Consortium Newsletter.

Her television tapes on the teaching of English and innovative programs, such as ‘Reading and Writing Through Fables’ led to recognition throughout the New York City educational community.  A letter from Robert Mastruzzi, superintendent of Manhattan High Schools, states, “It is obvious from your achievements that you were inspired as a student and that you certainly share your creativity not only with your students but also with your colleagues and with future teachers.”

While she retired from the New York City Board of Education in 1990, Rosemary continues to teach.  She is an Adjunct Professor of Communication at New York University. At Marymount Manhattan College she teaches a literature course, Creative Writing to adults, and English as a Second Language.

Rosemary conducts a Mystery Authors Fan Club both at Marymount and at the English Speaking Union.  She is currently writing her fifth textbook.

Excellence in Government

Angela Aiello Zaccardi ‘56 and ‘73

Angela is Executive Director of the Federal Executive Board of Northern New Jersey.  Her government career parallels the history of America during the past 48 years: a former immigration aide at the American Embassy in Rome, a commendation letter from Robert Kennedy for her supervisory performance in evacuating the Bay of Pigs prisoners, a U.S hostess for the tragic President Kennedy funeral, an appreciation card from President Ronald Reagan for organizing and coordinating Operation Care and Share in the New Jersey area, citations from the U.S Treasury Department for outstanding performances on many occasions.

Her career has been sprinkled with firsts: first female Immigration inspector in Newark, one of the first female inspectors at JFK, the first female President of the National Society for Public Administration (North Jersey Chapter), and the first female member of the Union Team which negotiated the national contract with the INS management team.   In 2003, Angela received the Albert Gallatin Award from the U.S Department of Treasury: “-this award is presented as an evidence of the esteem in which you are held by the Department, which has been the principal beneficiary of your labors for so many years.”

A former member of Caldwell College’s Board of Trustees, Angela has also been on a Committee for the Public Administration Program at Kean College and the Public Administration Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  She served as president of the Immaculate Conception Elementary PTA, Montclair, New Jersey; and as a member of Immaculate’s Board of Education and Parish Council.

Angela was president of the Board of Directors of Newark Federal Kids-Care, Inc.  and was a founder of the Day Care Center in the Rodino Federal Building in Newark.  She was also a member of the Greater Newark Collaboration Group.

A dual graduate of Caldwell College, with an A.A. in Business and a B.S. in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Our honoree’s son, Gregory, and his wife, Simone, have two children: Laura and Alexander.