“It is exciting to have such a legendary radio personality as John Gambling serve as keynote speaker at a time when we are making preparations for the opening of the Lackland Center,” says Jon Lewis, Broadcast Manager at Centenary College.  “I look forward to hearing the professional and personal advice that he will give to our Communication students and our students in general on the 15th.”

When he joined the cast of New York morning radio show “Rambling with Gambling” in 1985, John Gambling became part of a 60-year tradition.  The intergenerational program began with grandfather John B. Gambling in 1925, continued into the mid-1950s with father John A. Gambling, and culminated with him.  In 2000, Gambling moved to NewsTalk Radio 77 WABC.  In May 2008, Gambling returned to WOR Radio as host of “The John Gambling Show” from 5:30 to 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.  Gambling has become a major newsmaker, with frequent visits from New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie, New York Governor David Paterson and Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, as well as a weekly Friday hour with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Gambling began his radio career at WHVS-FM in Poughkeepsie, New York.  In January 1978, he moved to Manhattan and joined WOR, the then-home of the 53-year-old “Rambling with Gambling” program.  In 1985, he took over the helm of the program.

The influential figure rapidly gained loyalty, trust and admiration among tri-state listeners, and in 2000, he received the Jack Poppele Broadcast Award for Excellence in Broadcasting and his long term contribution to radio broadcast improvement, among several other industry-recognized awards.  When not in the studio, he works with several charitable organizations.  

Additional honorary degrees will be awarded to Sangdal Santa Du and Dr. Charles Frederickson.  

Du is the CEO of Chilsung Company, Limited, and has contributed to the Korean community and the world through his philanthropic efforts. Through Korea Food for Hungry International, Du has helped many hunger projects in Africa and other communities in need.  He has been actively helping youths through Korean Youth for Christ and senior citizens in need through Korean Senior Citizen’s Association.  His Christian community services are numerous as Past President and an active member of CBMC- Christian Businessmen’s Association International.

He is best known as an author and speaker promoting healthy and happy family lives as the founder and President of the Family Culture Center in Seoul.  He authored “The Morning Kiss,” which has become a best seller in Korea, and has been a popular and internationally sought after speaker on the subject of family life, conducting more than 2,500 lectures and seminars since he became a family life consultant in 1990.

Dr. Charles Frederickson recently retired from Centenary College as a Professor of Psychology.  He holds a BA from Lafayette College, an MA from Montclair State College (now Montclair State University) and a PhD. from New York University.  He was an esteemed member of the Centenary faculty for 29 years and spearheaded many Centenary initiatives, such as acting as coordinator of the undergraduate Psychology program and developing the Psychology graduate programs in Counseling and Counseling Psychology.

“I am pleased that we will be honoring these distinguished individuals, as well as recognizing the accomplishments of our own graduates through the tradition of Commencement,” says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President.  “Our students will be entering a new phase of their lives, whether they will be continuing their education or entering the work force and this is their day to be praised for their commitment and endurance throughout their academic journey with us.”

The graduating class will include undergraduate and graduate students from the main campus in Hackettstown and the Centenary Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) learning centers in Parsippany and Iselin.  Degrees that will be awarded to the 458 graduates participating in the ceremony are as follows: 18 associate of arts; 140 bachelor of arts; 34 bachelor of fine arts; 190 bachelor of science; 8 bachelor of social work; 21 master of arts; and 47 master of business administration.