The Dr. Donald Gerecke and Dr. Marion Gordon Scholarship recognizes Don and Emmy’s exceptional contributions to education, research, and mentorship at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. Both have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their students while fostering learning environments that inspire academic excellence and professional growth. Consistently funded by prestigious organizations like the NIH, their research has significantly advanced pharmacology, toxicology, and biochemistry fields.
All donations will be used to award scholarships to full-time graduate professional students at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy based on merit and financial need.
In honor of their outstanding contributions, please join us in celebrating their illustrious careers while ensuring that their legacy continues to empower aspiring clinicians and researchers for generations.
Dr. Donald Gerecke, an Associate Professor at Rutgers University's Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP), excelled in teaching Pharm.D. and doctoral students. His research, funded by NIH and the Dept. of Defense beginning in 2001, yielded over 100 papers with 2,000+ citations. Don earned his B.S. and M.S. from Rutgers and a Ph.D. This was followed by postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School's in the Department of Dermatology department before returning to Rutgers as a faculty member in 1998. At EMSOP, he mentored students, supervised the Pharm.D. honors program, and collaborated with researchers at EOHSI. Don's impact included organizing the NYC Parkinson’s Unity Walkathon with EMSOP students. His presence is deeply missed by the EMSOP and EOHSI communities.
Dr. Marion Gordon, an Associate Professor at EMSOP, earned her B.S. in chemistry and Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Rutgers-UMDNJ joint graduate program, completing her final year at Harvard Medical School. Following postdoctoral training at Harvard and Tufts Medical School, she served 7 years as Assistant Professor at Tufts before joining the faculty at the EMSOP in 1998. Dr. Gordon has continuously received NIH funding for her research since 1988 and has contributed significantly to education and research missions of EMSOP. She has mentored Pharm.D. students as well as graduate, medical, and undergraduate students. Dr. Gordon's leadership extends to editorial roles in scientific journals and service on NIH Study Sections. She has been a key figure in the American Association of Anatomists, serving as an executive officer for 5 years, and shaping biomedical research and education at EMSOP.
Don and Emmy's commitment to teaching and student engagement extends to extracurricular activities such as pharmacy scholarship appreciation dinners and Mr. Pharm.D. night. Both served as co-advisors to the AZO fraternity, with Don receiving William and Helen Levine Teacher of the Year awards in ’08 and ’09. They continue to inspire generations of students whom they have mentored.