Cynthia S. Mendelson '90 MA and Samuel W. Mendelson

Cynthia Sparks Mendelson '90 MA and her late husband, Samuel Wade Mendelson, shared a mutual connection to Kean University.

The couple earned their undergraduate degrees at Muhlenberg College, where they met and fell in love over 50 years ago, However, Kean University has held a very special place in their hearts as Cindy earned her graduate degree from Kean and Sam was a member of the clinical faculty for ten years.

The Mendelsons spent their entire careers as educators. They believed fervently in the power of education and the importance of providing scholarships to those in need. These values inspired the couple to include Kean in their estate plans long ago through a charitable bequest.

The Kean University Foundation proudly recognizes Cindy Mendelson '90 MA and the late Sam Mendelson as distinguished members of the Medallion Society. Their charitable bequest is designated for student scholarships at Kean as well as general support for the College of Education.

For Cindy, Kean University was where she earned her Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration and her New Jersey Principal's certification in 1990. She attributes her career growth to the education she received at Kean. Upon graduation, Cindy was elected to the Kean University chapter of The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and remains a lifetime member.

For Sam, Kean University played a significant role in his career later in life. Upon retiring as principal of the East Amwell Township School District in Ringoes, Sam worked for another ten years as a clinical faculty instructor at Kean University. In this capacity, he trained new teacher candidates at Linden High School in Linden, NJ, from 2003 to 2013.

Cindy and Sam Mendelson were married for 47 ½ years until Sam passed away in January 2019. Their bequest will have a significant impact on future students at Kean, while also paying tribute to their mutual connection and love for Kean University.

There is no doubt that both Cindy and Sam Mendelson had very successful careers and impacted countless students over their lifetimes.

Cindy Mendelson's career spanned 29 years, of which 28 years were spent in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District. During her career, Cindy taught French for seven years; served as a junior high school foreign language chairperson for three years; taught and developed a middle school program for gifted students for two years; and led adult, continuing, and community education programs for 25 years in their home community of Somerville as well as in Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Cindy also served as Scotch Plains-Fanwood's Public Relations Coordinator for nine years. And finally in later years, she was responsible for many of the district's grant programs and its State School Report Card data collection and verification.

Cindy was always a champion for access to education and scholarship, and in 1986 she led the founding of The Jessamine S. Henderson Memorial Adult Education Scholarship Fund. Cindy served as a board officer (namely President and Treasurer) of this organization for 21 years until 2007 when she moved out of state. Cindy also served as a member of the board of governors of the 32nd Degree Masonic Children's Learning Center in Scotch Plains for seven years. This Center provides free tutoring to dyslexic children.

Sam Mendelson began his career as an elementary teacher at the Green Bank School in Washington Township, NJ in 1969. He was an elementary and middle school teacher in Somerville Public Schools from 1970 to 1980, where he also served as a program supervisor. Sam went on to serve as superintendent and principal of the Bloomsbury Elementary School in Bloomsbury, NJ from 1980 to 1983. And finally, Sam served as principal of the East Amwell School in Ringoes, NJ from 1983 to 2001 during which time he also served as superintendent of the district for two years.

Cindy and Sam were members of the United Reformed Church in Somerville, NJ. Sam was elected to four terms on the Consistory of United Reformed Church as an elder and as a deacon. He was also a retired life member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and a member of the Local 746, American Federation of Musicians, from 1963 to 2010. Additionally, he was president of the Hunterdon County Audio-Visual Aids Commission, and an officer of the Somerville Federation of Teachers and of the Hunterdon County School Administrators Association.