The legacy of the Cook campus was on full display on April 26 as alumni, students, faculty, family members, and friends gathered at Neilson Dining Hall to celebrate the newest class of distinguished alumni recognized by the Cook Community Alumni Association (CCAA).
Veterinarian James Dougherty’s kindness and generosity of spirit have not been limited to caring for animals. They have been in action at Rutgers for decades, both in volunteering and generous financial support of the university, particularly in the areas of LGBTQ+ issues and the Rutgers–New Brunswick Honors College.
For Michael Silva CC’96, innovation didn’t begin in a boardroom. It started in a driveway. An environmental sciences major at Rutgers Cook College—now the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences—Silva never imagined he would one day pitch a patented backyard football game on national television.
When Brian Sheafer earned his bachelor’s degree in business economics from Rutgers Cook College in 2002, he set out on a path that combined analytical thinking with a strong commitment to service. That focus has shaped a career dedicated to strengthening communities through the YMCA for more than two decades.
Since graduating from Cook College in 1992, Katie Applegate Bobowski has lived with her family in seven states – Oregon, Utah, Maryland, Arizona, Montana, Colorado and, since 2016, Alaska. In each place she’s lived, Katie’s grassroots commitment to community and to environmental education has been steadfast throughout, particularly those organizations that invest in youth and their futures.
Dylan Dreyer, Co-Host, "The 3rd Hour of Today,” and Meteorologist with NBC News, was the 2025 Convocation Speaker for the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences on May 19.