Ronald W. Giaconia Remembered for His Service to Rutgers
The Board of Governors honored Ronald W. Giaconia, an alumnus and member of Rutgers governing boards for more than 30 years, who died on Sept. 13, 2024, at age 88.
A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Giaconia served the university for decades beginning as a charter trustee on the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2006, as a trustee governor on the Board of Governors from 2001 to 2007, and finally as a trustee emeritus. He served as chair and vice chair of the Board of Trustees and vice chair of the Board of Governors.
“Affectionately referred to as ‘The Chairman of the Board’ by those who knew him, Ron guided the university during times of great progress and strengthened Rutgers’ commitment to providing an affordable education, conducting world-changing research, and striving for the betterment of New Jersey,” the board noted in a resolution honoring Giaconia.
The founder and president of Giaconia Life Associates, LLC, Giaconia served on several board committees, include audit, budget, and finance and intercollege athletics, which he chaired for many years.
He also served as a member, and later an emeritus director, of the Rutgers University Foundation’s Board of Directors and as chair of the Scarlet R Executive Advisory Committee. An avid fan of Rutgers Athletics, he helped establish the Robert Lusardi Memorial Football Scholarship, and he and his wife, Antoinette, established the Ron and Toni Giaconia Endowed Scholarship for baseball players.
Giaconia’s long legacy at his alma mater earned him numerous honors, including the Meritorious Service Award from the Rutgers University Alumni Federation and induction into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
