Continuing its steadfast dedication to its mission to ignite or reignite the passion donors, alumni, and students have for their alma mater, during the 2024-2025 academic year the Office of Development focused its considerable energies on building a wider sense of community.
“This year, we focused on deepening the roots we’ve planted with our donors, faculty, and students during the last two years, and setting our sights on new horizons by engaging with more alumni in new ways,” said Assistant Dean of Development Blain Bradley, whose work supports both the Rutgers School of Communication and Information and the Rutgers University Foundation. “The commitments our donors, alumni, and students have to these shared ideals resulted in several very successful and notable achievements.”
These include the establishment of the Daniel Fadem Memorial Endowed Fund; a trip to the Midwest; the creation of new and exciting partnerships; special events; and more.
The Daniel Fadem Memorial Endowed Fund
Created in memory of Daniel Fadem, this new fund recognizes the understanding that the doctor-patient relationship is of great importance to the well-being of patients.
This fund will support SC&I Ph.D. candidates, with preference given to students who have an interest in health studies and issues pertaining to health communication.
“This generous and thoughtful fund will ensure that our current and future scholars continue to explore the human side of healthcare,” Bradley said.
“The commitments our donors, alumni, and students have to these shared ideals resulted in several very successful and notable achievements.”
SC&I Heads to the Midwest
In January 2025, Bradley traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to meet with SC&I alums in the Midwest.
“Our January trip to Chicago was a standout—fantastic, frigid fundraising in a city that’s fast becoming a hub of SC&I alumni energy,” Bradley said. “I had meaningful conversations that ranged from corporate leaders at ConAgra to proud alumni living in small-town Northwest Indiana, which showcased the deep and varied reach of our network.”
Bradley met with two ConAgra executives, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Networking Officer Jon Harris, and Senior Director for Community Investment Robert Rizzo. “John and I bonded over our shared North Jersey roots,” Bradley said.
During the trip Bradley also met with Donald Cameron Clark Jr., a 2025 Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumnus honoree, and his wife, Ellen, a SC&I alumna.
“Chicago is part of a larger Midwestern growth pattern,” Bradley added. “We’re seeing engagement steadily rise in Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis, building strong SC&I momentum throughout the region.”
New Partnerships
This year the Office of Development forged several new and meaningful partnerships.
Manasquan Bank and ConAgra joined the annual Communication Department’s COMMChella Music Festivalsponsor roster, and Warner Bros. Discovery brought on SC&I alumna Ashley Medrano COM’25 as an internthrough a unique pathway Bradley and his team helped broker.
“These collaborations showcase the power of relationship-building between industry and academia,” Bradley said.
Special Events
One of his favorite moments during the 2024-2025 academic year, Bradley said, was attending the 2025 SC&I Scholarship Luncheon, where nearly 70 guests filled the room.
“One moment that really stood out to me at this year’s scholarship event was meeting Michelle Bae, a senior Communication major graduating in May 2025. She’s from Wayne—which is right in my neck of the woods—and after the program, she came up to ask for career and networking advice. That conversation reminded me why the student-facing side of this work means so much. Michelle is the recipient of the Shaun and Patricia Mickus Endowed Scholarship in Honor of the late Professor Todd Hunt, and seeing her passion and potential up close made the whole event feel that much more personal."
Bradley said he also had the honor of attending the retirement celebration for former SC&I Dean Jorge Reina Schement, whose legacy, Bradley said, continues to shape SC&I.
Leadership Changes
Welcoming Rutgers University President Tate
As an alumnus of Louisiana State University, Bradley said he is particularly excited to welcome the new President of Rutgers University William F. Tate IV.
Tate, who previously served as the president of Louisiana State University, began his tenure as the 22nd president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, on July 1, 2025. Tate’s appointment was approved on May 19, 2025 by the Rutgers Board of Governors, with the advice and consent of the Rutgers Board of Trustees, and the Board of Governors also appointed Tate as a University Professor and Distinguished Professor.
“I welcome President Tate with open arms and great enthusiasm,” Bradley said. “During my MBA years at LSU, he served as President of the LSU System, and I admired his leadership across online education, academic innovation, and yes—even national athletic success. His Chicago roots and proven vision for institutional growth make me excited for what’s ahead at Rutgers.”
During the 2025-2026 academic year, Bradley said he will be “focused on exceeding our revenue goals, expanding donor outreach to the West Coast, and nurturing some potentially transformational gifts already in motion."
Leadership Transitions at SC&I
Associate Dean for Research Mark Aakhus will transition to his new role as Interim Dean of the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on August 1, 2025.
“I’m thrilled to see Mark Aakhus step into this leadership role,” Bradley said. “He’s been a warm and engaged presence from day one, and I have every confidence that he will help guide SC&I forward with both thoughtfulness and momentum during this transition,” Bradley said.
Expressing gratitude to Interim Dean Dafna Lemish, who will step down on July 31, 2025, for her support, Bradley explained, “Where to start? Perhaps the best way to get to know a dean is road-tripping back and forth to D.C. just three weeks into your new role! Since then, Dafna has become both a mentor and role model. Her leadership helped me grow not just as a professional, but as a person. I’m incredibly grateful for her example and the partnership we’ve built.”
Looking Ahead to 2025-2026
During the 2025-2026 academic year, Bradley said he will be “focused on exceeding our revenue goals, expanding donor outreach to the West Coast, and nurturing some potentially transformational gifts already in motion. A major highlight this fall will be honoring alumnus Andrew Medlar MLIS’96, the president and director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, at our distinguished alumni celebration—a moment that reflects the excellence and pride of our SC&I community.”
Bradley said SC&I continues to see great opportunities in these areas:
“These are excellent entry points for donors looking to create a legacy of learning and innovation,” Bradley said.
Learn more about the Office of Development on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.
Photo: Bradley and Lemish at SC&I, July 2025
