March 3, 2016

Centenary University Announces Hackettstown High School Scholarship Award Winner

Hackettstown, N.J. – Centenary University has announced the recipient of the Hackettstown High School student scholarship for the fall semester of 2016 — Christy Ackerman.  The scholarship is one of the ongoing partnerships between the institutions, which was established in 2007.

“This scholarship is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge one Hackettstown High School student each year who has excelled academically and has demonstrated the qualities that this institution values,” says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, President of Centenary University. “Christy has quite the impressive background, as she is committed to giving back to the community while still maintaining strong academic credentials. I am pleased that we could offer her this coveted award.”

This scholarship covers tuition for one Hackettstown High School student during his or her four-year stay.

Ackerman is no stranger to Centenary University.  Her brother, RJ Ackerman, is a Centenary student.  She spent four years from the age of ten to 14 participating in Centenary Stage Company’s Young Performer’s Workshop.  She has acted in performances such as Bye, Bye Birdie, Jesus Christ Superstar and A Christmas Carol.  While she is a student here, she has every intention to continue to perform and wants to start an A Capella chorus on campus.

Although Ackerman has a love for theater, she plans to study Business Administration and minor in Social Media Marketing.  Her goal upon graduation is to manage the social media marketing function for a small business and be an instrumental force in its growth. Social Media Marketing is a new area of study that was launched at Centenary this past fall.

“This is like a dream come true for me,” says Ackerman.  “I am very focused on academics and am interested in studying Social Media Marketing.  It is wonderful that Centenary just started this program.  The environment is so welcoming.  I am thrilled to have been chosen for this honor and have the opportunity to study the field that I am so passionate about.  I also want to thank my family for being so supportive throughout my whole life.  It would have been impossible to be able to accomplish what I have without their dedication to my growth.”

Ackerman currently works for Stryker Airsoft in Hackettstown.  She is in charge of social media for the business and manages their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube pages.  She will continue in that function during her college career.

One of the accomplishments that she is most proud of during her high school career is being one of the first members of, Glamour Girls, a new organization at Hackettstown High School.  Glamour Girls is an organization that promotes community involvement by providing makeovers for senior citizens.  Ackerman and her fellow Glamour Girls would visit local Centers, such as Paragon Village on a regular basis.  She is also an active member of National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society.  These organizations allow her to participate in monthly food drives, charity events and local fundraisers.  She also has an interest in continuing this type of work in one form or another while she is in college.  Ackerman also looks forward to joining Centenary’s Cross-Country team and meeting new people.  Her best friend will also be attending the institution.

The administration at Hackettstown Public Schools is pleased with this nine year partnership and the benefit that it brings to its students.

“The unique relationship between Hackettstown Public School and Centenary University is one that provides an opportunity that is life changing for one individual every year,” says David Mango, Superintendent of Hackettstown and Great Meadows Schools.  “Christy Ackerman is an excellent selection for the scholarship award based on her leadership skills and her strong involvement with the community.  I would like to thank Centenary University in partnering with Hackettstown Public Schools and congratulate Christy’s parents on their daughter’s accomplishment.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in two locations: Parsippany, Edison, online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.