(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)November 1, 2023

Dawkins Is the First Black Chairperson of the Board

Mahwah, N.J.-The Ramapo College Foundation named Harlem Globetrotters CEO and Ramapo alumnus Keith Dawkins ‘94 as the new chairperson of the Board of Governors at the October 26, 2023 Foundation Board of Governors meeting. The decision made history for the Foundation, as Dawkins is the first Black chairperson of the board.

Dawkins, who is president of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios and owns Rock Hill Media Ventures, has served on the board for 12 years, most recently as secretary. Mission-critical to Dawkins is ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are a vital part of all of his business ventures, community engagement, and service to the Ramapo Foundation. He was honored at the 2013 Ramapo College Foundation Distinguished Citizens Dinner for his many contributions in the world of media, which included growing the viewership of Nicktoons from eight to 61 million as the company’s first general manager as well as partnering with the NFL and co-producing the series NFL Rush Zone.

His involvement and commitment to Ramapo go beyond his board contributions. At the May 2022 Commencement, Dawkins received the President’s Alumni Award of Merit for his service-oriented leadership and continued advocacy of Ramapo. In October 2022, he delivered the alumni address at President Cindy Jebb’s inauguration. He looks forward to working with the board in his new role, sharing that, “Ramapo College has given me so much over the years.  It’s a place where I furthered my education, started my career journey and met the person that would become my wife of 25 years. Being able to pay it forward and have an impact for future Ramapo students is both a privilege and an honor.”

Dawkins succeeds outgoing chairperson and TonyⓇ award-winning producer Roy Putrino, who served as Foundation chair from 2020-2023. Putrino leaves behind a legacy of noteworthy contributions, for which he was honored through the years. In 2013, he received the Distinguished Citizens Award. In 2015, he received the Mission Award for the Performing Arts, and in 2020 he was the recipient of the Havemeyer Presidential Leadership Award. As Foundation chair, Putrino was “delighted and honored to be actively engaged in leading during the transition of the new administration of the college and the restructuring of the foundation as part of President Jebb’s initiatives,” adding that “these changes, along with the tireless work of our Foundation Board of Governors, will allow us to meet the new challenges that face the college as well as continue to secure the resources necessary to make the difference in Ramapo’s strategic plan.” Putrino is founder and chairman of the board at Home Infusion and joined the Board of Governors in 2014. He will remain on the board as immediate past chairperson. 

Ramapo College Foundation Executive Director Christopher Romano is grateful for the service of board members like Dawkins and Putrino, and recognizes the value Dawkins will bring. “I am very much looking forward to working closely with Keith as he assumes the role of chair.  His marketing and strategic partnership acumen coupled with his commitment as a Ramapo alum make him well positioned to lead the Foundation into its next strategic plan.” Dawkins resides in Ridgewood, NJ with his wife and two sons.

To learn more about the mission of the Ramapo College Foundation, visit ramapo.edu/foundation. To learn more about the Board of Governors, visit ramapo.edu/foundation/governors.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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