DF
Dr. Hania Ferrara
  • Blairstown, NJ

Dr. Hania Ferrara recieves FDU's Elia G. Stratis CASTLE Award

2015 Oct 27

During this year's Homecoming weekend, Fairleigh Dickinson University honored Dr. Hania Ferrara with the Elia G. Stratis CASTLE Award.

The Elia G. Stratis CASTLE Award is the highest award given by the Alumni Association, bestowed upon alumni for having made significant contributions to FDU or having served with distinction in University organizations. Elia G. Stratis, the namesake of both the alumni award and the scholarship, was a victim of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. The acronym CASTLE stands for Commitment, Allegiance, Support, Teamwork, Leadership, and Enthusiasm - all qualities Ferrara has exhibited during her tenure at FDU.

For more than two decades, Ferrara has dedicated herself to ensuring the success of the University. Since joining FDU as an assistant controller in 1992, she has held a number of important roles, most recently becoming the senior vice president for finance and chief operating officer of the University. Her plethora of skills has distinguished her as a valuable asset for FDU, previously earning her the 2004 Fairleigh Dickinson University Presidential Citation for her leading role in a bond refinancing. Furthermore, due to the prowess of the finance team Ferrara served on and now leads, the University has mastered a turnaround and has since operated under surpluses for the past 16 consecutive years.

Aside from overseeing the University's budget and planning process, she serves on various committees and taskforces, working with the University community to support and advance FDU's mission, and assisting University leadership in the development and implementation of university-wide initiatives and policies.

Ferrara received her B.S. in accounting from FDU in 1987 and her M.B.A. in 2001. She holds a doctorate in higher education management, which she received from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. Ferrara is a certified public accountant and prior to her tenure at FDU, she worked as an auditor for Coopers & Lybrand, and senior accountant at Metpath Inc. She also teaches accounting courses in FDU's Silberman College of Business.

The award ceremony was held at FDU's Florham Campus on Saturday, October 17th, 2015, in conjunction with the University's Annual Homecoming/Family Weekend.

Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey's largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, go to www.fdu.edu.