Joe Di Giacomo ’73 Is “Paying It Back” with a Bequest in His Will

Joe Di Giacomo ’73 believes in “paying it back.” That’s why he has established a bequest in his will giving future students—especially first-generation college students—a shot at the same great education he enjoyed. “I look upon gifts to WP as paying the institution back for my years of study. Paying it back is as rewarding for the donor as it is for the student,” he says.

Joe has long supported WP through volunteer activities, including eight years as Alumni Association president. He has also supported the University financially with years of scholarship support. He has now established an endowed scholarship to honor his parents, Joseph and Carmel Di Giacomo.

“I decided it would be meaningful to name a scholarship in memory of my parents because neither went to college,” Joe says. “Part of the criteria is to give preference to first-generation college students.”

By naming the William Paterson University Foundation in his will, Joe retains control of the funding property during his lifetime—and he may change his bequest designation at any time. His gift will ultimately provide support for future WP students and will not be subject to potential federal estate taxes.

A native of Little Falls, Joe is a military veteran who was stationed in Korea and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he enrolled in night classes at a local college. Upon his return to New Jersey, he continued his studies at William Paterson University.

At 22, Joe was a nontraditional college student but soon became active on The Beacon staff, serving as editor. His political science major, and subsequent master’s degree in public administration from Penn State University, led to a rewarding 35-year career in municipal government. As a member of the Alumni Association, Joe traveled with the baseball team for spring training and was with the Pioneers when they captured their first national title in 1992.

Since retiring, Joe has become active with the Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne and earned his Master Gardener certification from Rutgers University. Helping student growth through his endowed scholarship is a natural extension of what Joe is all about. “The goal of my bequest is to provide educational opportunities for future students with financial need,” he says. “My small gift might be what allows them to attend college.”