Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Jeffrey B. Noss C’75

Jeff Noss entered Drew in September 1971 and, on the third day of freshman orientation, met Anne Lewis (also C’75). The two married just a month after graduation and soon headed to Syracuse University, where Jeff earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School and Anne a Master’s in Journalism from the Newhouse School. After being a stay-at-home mom for ten years, Anne earned a second Master’s degree in Library Science and served as adjunct faculty at the Drew Library for nearly twenty years.

In 1976, Jeff launched what would become a distinguished forty-three-year career on Wall Street. Beginning as a bond analyst at Roosevelt & Cross, he quickly built a reputation in the field and, while still in his 30s, was elected Chairman of the 2,000-member National Federation of Municipal Analysts Society. In 1987, he transitioned to investment management at The Bank of New York, where his responsibilities grew steadily. Following the 2007 merger with Mellon Bank, he was named Managing Director and Head of Investments for the Family Office division, overseeing $10 billion in assets. After retiring in 2019, Jeff established JBN Advisors, LLC, a boutique investment consulting firm.

Jeff’s connection to Drew has been equally significant. His volunteer service began in the late 1980s through various volunteer roles and deepened in the early 1990s with his appointment to the College Alumni Board, where he served as President from 1994 to 2000. Elected by his peers as an alumni-elected Trustee to Drew’s Board of Trustees in both 2001 and 2005, he later served three additional terms as a board-elected Trustee through 2021. During his tenure, Jeff chaired both the Finance Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee. In recognition of his many years of dedicated leadership and service, he was named Trustee Emeritus in 2021.

For more than twenty-five years, Jeff has also shared his professional expertise with Drew students. He has lectured regularly for the Wall Street Semester, co-taught a course in Public Finance, guest lectured in several Master of Finance courses, and been a frequent judge in the Shark Tank/Bear Den competition. Through all of this volunteer activity, he has mentored dozens of aspiring economics majors.

Jeff and Anne have also been generous supporters of Drew for decades, establishing a scholarship for first-year students and making a leadership gift that helped transform the University Center into the Ehinger Center. In his spare time, Jeff has served on the board of the Madison Area YMCA, is currently Vice-Chair of the Florham Park Zoning Board of Adjustment, and has established a financial literacy course at the Bowery Mission in New York City.

Chad Bridges C’00

Chad Bridges holds a BA in Political Science from Drew University and an MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently the Robert E. Martini Associate Head of School at The Pennington School, where he oversees community life, health and wellness, athletics, residential life, and co-curricular programming. Since returning to Pennington in 2005 after a successful career at Bloomberg LP, Chad has launched several impactful initiatives, including the Sophomore Character and Leadership Program, Pennington’s Captain’s Council, and the Student Assistance Fund, aimed at creating a stronger, more inclusive school community. Chad also teaches a senior seminar titled “Sociology of Sport,” a course that merges his two passions: sport and the study of culture, identity, and community.

A standout student-athlete at Drew, Chad was a dual-sport captain who helped lead the men’s soccer and basketball teams to conference titles and NCAA tournament appearances. He was the inaugural recipient of Drew’s Larry Horner Award for Student-Athlete Leadership and has since been inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame at both Drew and Pennington. As Pennington’s boys’ varsity soccer coach since 2010, Chad has led the program to national recognition, including multiple state and county championships, as well as a National High School Soccer Championship in 2023. In 2017, he was named Trentonian Sports Person of the Year and has earned state and national coaching honors throughout his career.

Outside of Pennington, Chad co-founded Next Level Soccer Academy and later launched Bridges United, a program that supports high-achieving student-athletes from around the world in gaining access to top U.S. schools and colleges. He remains dedicated to teaching, coaching, and mentoring, crediting much of his personal and professional growth to the mentorship he received at Drew. 

Above all, he takes pride in his family, his wife, Erica, and their two children, Drew and Skye.

Sherri L. Andrews C’85

Sherri Andrews is an award-winning mixed-media artist, philanthropist, community leader, and hedge fund manager. While her background includes a BA in Economics from Drew, an MBA from Harvard, and a successful career in finance, it is her unexpected rise as a self-taught artist that has been most transformative. In less than a decade, she has sold over 200 paintings, curated two acclaimed solo exhibitions, and earned honors, including the Ben Whitmore Purchase Award from the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. She is currently represented by Karen Anderer Fine Arts Gallery.

Known for her bold landscapes, vibrant flowers, graceful dancers, and abstract compositions, Sherri works in inks, acrylics, and collage. Her art has been featured in juried shows at Phillips’ Mill, Powell Lane Arts Gallery, BSB Gallery, and the Trenton City Museum, where her painting Abstract Poppies was acquired for the permanent collection. Sherri has exhibited at Art Fair 14C in Jersey City, Art on Paper New York, and the inaugural Atlanta Art Fair. She has presented two solo shows—at Plainsboro Library (2019) and Zuzu Gallery (2022)—and most recently exhibited collage vases in a Duo Show at Karen Anderer Gallery (2023) and her beach and flower collages in the Summer Series (2025). 

Sherri’s journey from Wall Street to the arts was highlighted in U.S. 1 Magazine in 2022, and she was invited as a keynote speaker at Salesforce.com’s Women’s Conference, where she shared insights on creativity, resilience, and reinvention.

She is passionately committed to sharing her talents in a way that inspires personal growth in others and supports causes important to her. She has donated several pieces of artwork to local arts organizations and serves on the finance committee of a nationally recognized nonprofit.

Sherri lives in New Jersey with her husband of 25 years, Daniel, her strongest supporter. His contributions of financial memorabilia have inspired several of her most recent mixed-media works—melding the worlds of finance and art in a way that reflects Sherri’s unique path and bold creative vision.

Dr. Emilio Cordova C’90, P’21

Emilio Cordova graduated from Drew University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a minor in Spanish. He went on to earn his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Miami (FL) in 1995. In 1996, he completed a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University under the mentorship of renowned chemist Dr. George Whitesides.

Dr. Cordova’s early academic research gained international recognition when the Swiss Academy of Sciences awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Dr. Fraser Stoddart for work in molecular machines—research that aligned with contributions from Dr. Cordova’s graduate studies nearly two decades earlier.

Dr. Cordova began his professional career in 1996 in the contract research sector of the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on the business and strategic growth of drug development services. He spent 13 years at Bioanalytical Systems, ultimately serving as Global Vice President of Business Development. During this time, he earned an MBA from Purdue University in 2006.

In 2008, he relocated to Austin, Texas, to join Worldwide Clinical Trials as Vice President, where he led global commercial strategies for early-phase clinical trials. In 2012, he transitioned into the startup ecosystem, first as Senior Vice President at AIT Bioscience, and later in 2015, as Chief Executive Officer of SAMDI Tech, a drug discovery CRO specializing in high-throughput screening using mass spectrometry and surface chemistry.

Under Dr. Cordova’s leadership, SAMDI Tech experienced significant growth and was successfully acquired by Charles River Laboratories in 2023. He currently serves as Executive Vice President at Altasciences, an integrated mid-sized CRO supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies, as well as formulation, manufacturing, and analytical services.

Beyond his career achievements, Dr. Cordova has maintained a strong connection with Drew. He has served on the College Alumni Association Board, Parents Council, and as a Parent Ambassador and mentor in Drew’s First-Generation Mentoring Program. His family’s philanthropy has established four endowed funds at the university, reflecting his commitment to education and opportunity.

Dr. Cordova also extends his leadership to the broader community. He is a board member of POSABILITY, a Central Florida nonprofit that provides impactful programs and events for families affected by disabilities.

He resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Ileana. Their son, Dr. Antonio Cordova, lives in Houston, Texas, and their daughter, Adriana C’21, lives in Paris, France, with her husband, Sandro Weisdorfer.

Suzanne E. Dorsey C’90

Suzanne Dorsey earned a BA in Biology from Drew University, an MS in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, and her PhD in Oceanography from Stony Brook University (SUNY).

Dr. Dorsey is a leader in environmental policy and conservation, with executive experience in driving equitable, science-based solutions. She currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment. 

Dr. Dorsey has been appointed to numerous commissions and boards, including as chair of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, chair of the Green and Blue Infrastructure Commission, and the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Ocean Acidification Alliance and represents the state of Maryland on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. 

Previously, Dr. Dorsey served as the chief executive of three nonprofit organizations that advanced environmental education, land preservation, coastal conservation, and sustainable development. Under her leadership, these organizations secured millions in philanthropic and government funding, completed major capital projects—including the construction of a LEED Gold-certified facility—and reached more than 30,000 people annually through education and outreach programs. 

In addition to her executive roles, Dr. Dorsey has held faculty appointments at Salem College and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 

Kenneth Long C’87

Kenneth Long holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and political science from Drew University and an MBA from Monmouth University. He was appointed president of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) on November 2, 2022, following more than two years as interim president. With over 35 years of experience in higher education, he previously served as ESU’s chief administrative, financial, and operations officer.

During his presidency, Kenneth has led key initiatives to strengthen ESU’s infrastructure and student services. His accomplishments include stabilizing the university’s finances, expanding student healthcare through a partnership with a regional medical center, and overseeing the university’s first academic space utilization study. He also spearheaded upgrades to athletic facilities, including the addition of air conditioning and a generator to the fieldhouse, repainting the stadium bleachers, replacing the turf fields, and collaborating with local organizations to improve baseball and softball facilities. Additional projects include new student housing, a counseling center, and a testing center.

Kenneth’s prior roles include assistant vice president of administration and finance at Kutztown University, interim vice president for finance and administration at Cheyney University, associate vice president for budget and planning at the University of Toledo, and CFO for its Physician Practice Group. He also served as chief financial and administrative officer at DeVry University’s New Jersey campus. Kenneth has also taught courses in business, accounting, and statistics, and has presented at regional and national conferences.

Kenneth’s leadership extends beyond ESU. He serves on the inaugural State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, where he chairs the Data Committee. He is also active on several boards, including Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, Valley Youth House, the Pocono Center for the Arts, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, and the Commission for the Universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. He continues as Presidential Liaison to the PASSHE Governance Committee. 

Kenneth is married to Evelyn and has three daughters: Alysha, Peyton, and Taylor.

Andy Rupp C’80

Andy Rupp graduated from Drew University in 1980 with a degree in English Literature and Writing. Professors Joan Steiner and Jacqueline Berke taught him to write and communicate in an effective, thoughtful, and persuasive manner that has been invaluable in both his personal and professional life. Their mentorship remains one of the many reasons Andy considers Drew such a special place.

Four years of varsity basketball also shaped his Drew experience. Joining the team as a walk-on during a rebuilding year, the team transformed into a tournament team by his senior year. The impressive 19-win season still ranks among the top five in Drew’s Men’s Basketball history, a testament to the dedication of exceptional teammates. Many of those teammates remain lifelong friends, with Andy serving as the “glue” who has kept the group connected for many years.

A decade ago, Andy re-engaged with the program while helping honor Coach Vince Masco. That project led to his becoming the “unofficial” Basketball Alumni Coordinator. Through a dedicated alumni email chain, he shares program updates, amplifies team messages, fundraises, and supports the program in any way he can. Thanks to his efforts, along with the team’s recent success, Basketball Alumni engagement is now at an all-time high.

Professionally, Andy’s career journey has spanned diverse industries, beginning with a formative period in retail at Bamberger’s (now Macy’s). The next chapter unfolded in the menswear industry, where he held senior sales and marketing positions. For the past two decades, he has specialized in apparel accessories, specifically hangers. Currently, he serves as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Uniplast Industries, a global manufacturer of hangers.

Beyond professional pursuits, a 40-year marriage and two daughters have enriched his life. A longtime resident of Berkeley Heights, Andy now lives in Scotch Plains, NJ.  While the passion for Drew University and its basketball program remains strong, his greatest joy is found in his two grandsons, who bring Andy infinite joy and happiness.

Jonathan Taub C’85

Jonathan Taub graduated from Drew in 1985 with a degree in history and earned his law degree from New England Law School. He left the practice of law to become a recruiter in the legal field and is now a principal of Taub Legal Search, based in New York City.

Jonathan began his volunteer work at Drew, where he served as a student government representative all four years. He also played three years of soccer, was the men’s basketball statistician, and was part of the first group of students to receive the Gold D. Graduating Seniors Award. Jonathan keeps Drew alumni together, spearheading the Class of 1981-1985 Facebook group and hosting alumni gatherings, in addition to maintaining connections among his high school and sleep-away camp friends.

In his hometown of Chappaqua, NY, in the Town of New Castle, Jonathan served 12 years as commissioner of the town’s recreational soccer league, coaching all four of his sons in both recreation and travel programs. He also played a key role in getting grass and turf soccer fields built both in town and at Horace Greeley High School.

Eight years ago, Jonathan and his family lost their 16-year-old son, Casey, to a glioblastoma brain tumor. Jonathan began #Taubstrong to raise money for The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors (www.Ironmatt.org), where he is now an executive board member. To date, #Taubstrong has raised nearly $700,000 for the foundation, with a goal of raising $1 million in Casey’s memory. The Foundation provides research to help find a cure and direct financial support to families whose children are fighting brain cancer.  Jonathan hosts an annual #TaubStrong Tee Off Golf Tournament, is very involved with Horace Greeley High School, where he serves as a volunteer assistant boys’ varsity coach, and helps host The Casey Taub 22:22 Memorial Soccer Jamboree, held each fall before the varsity season.  

In recognition of Jonathan’s years of volunteer service, the Town of New Castle renamed a town field, “Casey Taub Field,” in memory of his late son.

Jonathan continues to contribute to his town’s Recreation Department and community whenever needed.

Dr. Benjamin J. Schaefer C’15

Benjamin Schaefer is an exceptional young alumnus whose groundbreaking research is transforming the field of bioarchaeology. Since graduating from Drew, they have pursued an MA and PhD in Biological Anthropology, developing an innovative approach to the bioarchaeology of human sacrifice in Pre-Hispanic Peru. Rather than limiting analysis to skeletal remains, Ben analyzes mummified hair to reconstruct embodied stress and lived experiences in the months leading up to ritual execution under the Chimú and Inka Empires. This method opens rare, fine-grained windows into past lives that were previously unattainable in archaeology. Pioneering molecular research in bioarchaeology, Ben uses biochemical markers to explore how imperial ritual practices differentially impacted selected sacrificial victims. Their work not only pushes scientific boundaries but also engages with social theory and necropolitics, challenging conventional narratives of the past. By uncovering the cosmopolitical power structures embedded in state-sponsored violence, Ben’s scholarship models ethical, decolonial, and critically engaged research. 

Early in their career, Ben has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to public service, education, and science communication. In recognition of this innovative work, Ben was awarded the Short-Term Research Fellowship for Pre-Columbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks — a prestigious program that supports advanced scholarship in the ancient Americas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben served with the Illinois Department of Public Health, exemplifying their adaptability and dedication to community well-being. Their efforts through the Center for Recovery and Identification of the Missing (CRIM), in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, aim to repatriate fallen American service members abroad. 

Ben has taught at Wellesley College, Brandeis University, and Loyola University Chicago. Their work has been featured by the Chicago Council on Science and Technology and the Collective for Radical Death Studies. It has been published in respected academic journals, including the Journal of Archaeological Science, American Journal of Biological Anthropology, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, and Teaching and Learning Anthropology, as well as in chapters of Routledge Edited Volumes. Ben frequently offers public commentary on archaeological discoveries, helping bridge the gap between research and public understanding.