Alumni Greg Makowski ’81 and Dawn Makowski ’80, Librarian Bill Duffy, and Valley Bank to be Honored During William Paterson University’s 34th Annual Legacy Award Dinner on Wednesday, April 24, 2025

Alumni Greg Makowski ’81, founding partner and managing member of CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Dawn Makowski ’80, president of AL Alexander Agency, an independent insurance agency; Bill Duffy, head of cataloging and metadata for the David and Lorraine Cheng Library at William Paterson University and a member of the William Paterson Foundation Board; and Valley Bank, a regional consumer and commercial bank, will be honored as the William Paterson University Foundation hosts its 34^th Annual Legacy Award Gala on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at The Grove in Cedar Grove.

The Makowskis will be honored as Distinguished Alumni, Duffy will be honored as Distinguished Faculty/Staff, and Valley Bank will be honored as Distinguished Organization. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership in the community and are dedicated to the success of students at William Paterson University.

The Legacy Award Gala is the Foundation’s largest event to raise funds to support the University’s mission of promoting student success and academic excellence through student scholarships. All proceeds from the Gala directly fund academic scholarships at William Paterson University, thereby directly affecting the lives of students—most of whom rely on scholarships to complete their education.

“This year’s honorees represent the diverse mix of alumni, faculty, and community partners who exemplify the Pioneer spirit of excellence and tradition of service,” says WP President Richard J. Helldobler. “We are grateful for their commitment to William Paterson and are excited for their participation in this very special event. Together, these honorees are the catalyst for the wonderful surge of support from so many from across the University community that the Gala generates and which will directly benefit our students as they build bright futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.”   

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight our loyal and supportive alumni, friends, faculty and corporate partners,” says Pam Ferguson, president of the William Paterson University Foundation and vice president for institutional advancement.  “On behalf of the entire University community, I thank them for their partnership, leadership, and friendship — and for supporting our students.”

At left, top and bottom, are Greg and Dawn Makowski; at right is Bill Duffy.

About the Honorees

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Dawn Makowski ’80 is the president of AL Alexander Agency, an independent insurance agency located in Totowa. She joined her family’s insurance agency after graduating from William Paterson with a bachelor of arts degree in music, and became president of the Al Alexander Agency in 2000. In addition, she served as the PTO president at both George Washington Middle School and Wayne Valley High School in Wayne. She later served on the Wayne Board of Education for three and one-half years. Since 1978, she has served as the organist and music minister of her childhood parish, Our Lady of Pompei Church in Paterson, New Jersey. She loves to cook and entertain family and friends at her homes.

The Makowskis, who met on campus, have been donors to the University for more than two decades and both are members of the Heritage Society, which celebrates loyal donors who have given to William Paterson University for 20 or more years at any giving level. They reside in Wayne.

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  03/26/25