$10 million gift from late Bergen couple goes to Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University's chemistry department has received a $10 million donation from a Bergen County alumnus for research priorities within the college's PhD program.

The donation was made on behalf of Thomas Tencza, who graduated from Seton Hall University in 1964 and received a PhD in chemistry in 1966, and his wife, Sylvia. The couple were from Wallington.

The money will go toward a PhD endowed professorship in chemistry. Before her death in September 2024, Sylvia created the program on behalf of her husband. Thomas Tencza died in 2012.

Thomas credited his alma mater for his success in science. He developed his career at the biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb in Hillside. During his tenure, the company developed numerous medications for a list of diseases.

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