University Awards President's Medal at Black-Tie Gala, Announces $7 Million Fundraising Goal to Permanently Endow Presidential Scholarship Fund by 2026

The University of Scranton honored Harry T. Rose '65 with its President's Medal Oct. 2 at the President's Medal Gala amidst a crowd of hundreds of alumni, parents and friends that contained three stars of the small screen. Proceeds from the gala support the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides full-tuition, merit-based scholarships to incoming first-year students.

Rose, a former University trustee, is the founder and chairman of The Rose Group, one of the largest restaurant franchise companies in the United States. Rose received the Frank J. O'Hara Distinguished Alumni Award from the University in 2000, and, during his time as a trustee, he was a member of the Pride, Passion, Promise Executive Committee and a member of the President's Business Council. In 2008, the University recognized Rose's generous leadership and philanthropy by establishing the Rose Room in Brennan Hall, an event space that never fails to make its occupants feel welcome.

"As Harry puts it, his time (at Scranton) opened his eyes to opportunities that he had never considered," said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. "Much of that clarity, he said, happened through the relationships that he established and built during his time on campus.

"Thanks to Harry and so many others, Scranton is continuing to move into the future and into becoming what God has always hoped for it."

The University presents the President's Medal to individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields and who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others. Upon accepting the award at Pier Sixty, Manhattan's premier waterfront event venue, Rose credited his success to his work ethic and the "incredible staff of people" who have worked at The Rose Group over the last 40 years.

"I loved going to the University because I loved the independence," Rose said. "I made a commitment to myself that I was not going to let anything get in the way of my success.

"When people ask me, and they say, 'Where did you go to college?' I am very proud to say I went to The University of Scranton."

A Truly Scrantastic Evening

Prior to the event's cocktail hour, table sponsors and their guests were treated to an exclusive VIP yacht excursion around New York Harbor with Father Marina, Rose, and Brian Baumgartner, Andy Buckley and Kate Flannery, aka Kevin, David and Meredith from "The Office." After the conclusion of the voyage, Buckley as David kicked off the event's program with the help of Baumgartner and Flannery.

After the high energy opening, the event's attendees enjoyed comments from master of ceremonies Bobby Davis '03, vice president for University Advancement, University Trustee and President's Business Council Chair Elizabeth A. Madden '96, and Presidential Scholar Michael Redmond '26, a mathematics and mechanical engineering double major who received a special introduction from Presidential Scholar Alumna Colleen Rohr '20.

"Presidential Scholars aren't simply students with good grades," said Redmond, who is also the president of the club Hockey Team and the treasurer of the University's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. "We're leaders, athletes, collaborators, volunteers, club leaders and speakers. We chase ambitious goals and help others chase theirs. And one day, we'll plan to do exactly what so many of you have done for us - turn around and pull the next student forward.

"That's where Scranton stands apart from other institutions: This is a place where alumni will literally do anything they can to help one another."

A New Goal

After an invocation by Presidential Scholar Rebecca Doyle '26 and a first-class dinner, Davis announced an ambitious new University-wide effort to permanently endow the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund by raising an additional $7 million for the fund by the 2026 President's Medal Gala, which would bring its lifetime total up to $30 million.

"In 2002, The University of Scranton embarked upon a marathon endeavor when it held its first award dinner in support of the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund," said Father Marina in a video announcing the initiative. "We are only $7 million away from securing the future of The Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund and ensuring that our Presidential Scholars will continue to thrive at the University forever.

"Help us write the ending this 25-year marathon deserves."

Thanks to the generosity of the fund's supporters, the University has currently raised $2.7 million in gifts and commitments toward that goal. To support Presidential Scholarships at the University, visit this link.

After remarking upon the impact Rose has had upon Scranton, Marina spoke of the University's past, present and future.

"Our University exists and advances because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ," he said. "It is that simple, it is that profound. We are in the business of changing lives through a model of education that we very proudly and with no apology call 'Catholic and Jesuit,' and nothing will ever distract us from our noble mission of forming men and women for others."

About the Honoree

A native of Minersville, Rose dreamed of owning a restaurant at a young age. He began his career by driving a beer truck for his father's beer distributorship and graduated from the University in 1965 with a bachelor's in accounting.

After graduating, Rose joined Marriott Corporation's finance training program and went on to build a 20-year career with the company. He held key roles in property management, legal, real estate and finance, ultimately serving as chief financial officer of Roy Rogers, the fast-food chain Marriott launched in 1968. Rose was later promoted to vice president of the Mid-Atlantic region, where he spearheaded the growth of Roy Rogers from 27 to 156 locations in less than two and a half years.

In 1985, Rose founded H.T. Rose Enterprises, Inc. and never looked back. The Rose Group became a restaurant management company that encompasses all the restaurant concepts he has owned and operated over the course of his franchising career, including Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar, Boston Market, Corner Bakery Café, The Shannon Rose, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Johnny Carino's Country Italian Restaurant and Roy Rogers. The Rose Group currently owns and operates 55 Applebee's Grill + Bar Restaurants in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. In 2024, the Restaurant Finance Monitor ranked The Rose Group as the 109^th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States, and the company currently has more than 3,000 active employees.

To see more photos from the event, visit this link.