$10 million donation to university establishes Thomas Tencza, Ph.D. endowed professorship in chemistry and fund research and strategic priorities
Seton Hall University’s chemistry department has received a $10 million donation from Bergen County alumnus Thomas Tencza and his wife Sylvia, a gift that will establish the Thomas Tencza, Ph.D. Endowed Professorship in Chemistry and fund research and strategic priorities within the department.
This constitutes the department’s first endowed professorship, a move set to significantly bolster faculty excellence and the university’s ability to attract high-caliber graduate students and researchers.
Thomas Tencza, who completed both his master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry at Seton Hall in the 1960s, was among the first graduates of the university’s Ph.D. program. Tencza contributed to pharmaceutical innovation over a 34-year career at Bristol-Myers Squibb, ultimately holding the position of Senior Director of Product Development. Tencza’s work shaped several notable medications, including Excedrin®, Bufferin®, and NoDoz®, and he was credited with securing nine patents over his career.
Beyond professional accomplishment, Thomas and Sylvia Tencza shared a dedication to Polish culture, animal welfare, and community involvement, spending much of their lives in Wallington, New Jersey.
Sylvia Tencza, who earned her degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and worked as an executive secretary, enhanced her late husband’s legacy at Seton Hall through outreach and philanthropic support specifically focused on student success within the sciences. She was recognized for these efforts with an honorary doctorate from the university in 2017.
University leaders noted that this contribution will not only sustain Seton Hall’s chemistry and biochemistry programs, especially the Ph.D. program where grant-funded research and publication are vital to student achievement, but also drive investment in mentorship, undergraduate and graduate research, and hands-on learning.
According to Dean Jonathan Farina, the faculty chair funded by this donation will help ensure long-term program growth and innovation, and Vice President Jon Paparsenos emphasized that such alumni contributions create legacies touching the entire Seton Hall community and fostering resources for future generations.
Seton Hall’s president, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, praised the Tenczas’ lasting impact, stating their generosity enriches the student experience and academic standards for which Seton Hall has become known. He noted that gifts like these enable the community to explore its full range of talents and offer expanded opportunities for practical education and research.
The Tenczas’ $10 million gift represents a pivotal moment for Seton Hall chemistry, supporting excellence in faculty, research, and student experience, and standing as a model for how alumni can transform academic institutions for generations to come.