Patricia L. Fitzgerald ’93
Mary Fry Good ’49 Service to Alma Mater Award
Presented to graduate(s) of Albright College for outstanding service to the college.
Patricia L. Fitzgerald graduated from Albright College in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After working as an accountant for three years, Patricia attended Kean University to obtain her post-baccalaureate certification in elementary education and English, and began her career in education as a high school English teacher at Colonia High School in Colonia, N.J. During her tenure as an English teacher, Patricia also coached softball and cheerleading for the football and basketball teams, as well as Colonia’s co-ed competition cheerleading team. After obtaining a master’s degree in educational administration, Patricia was promoted to head of the English department and later, became vice principal at Colonia High School. Since April 2013, Patricia has been serving as the principal of Port Reading School 9, an elementary school in Port Reading, N.J.
In 2006, Colonia High School was recognized with the National Schools of Character Promising Practices Award for the program “Meet Your Mentor Night” which Patricia initiated and led. Additionally, Patricia was the recipient of the Community of Caring Outstanding Lead Teacher Award for her work in character education in 2007. While still working at Colonia High School, Patricia also worked with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Community of Caring as a trainer for the social emotional learning program.
As a student at Albright, Patricia was a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity, where she held positions such as rush party chair, member of the ethics committee and president. She was a member of Albright’s Panhellenic Council, dorm councils and served as a big sister through the big brothers and big sisters program. Athletically, Patricia was a member of the varsity softball team, for which she was captain her senior year, and participated in some of Albright’s intramural sports programs. Patricia volunteered on campus through the Accounting and Business Association as she prepared taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. She worked on campus in the athletic department for the football coaches and also for the sports information director as the statistician for the varsity football and the men’s basketball teams.
Since graduating in 1993, Patricia has been involved as a member of her class’s reunion committees, most recently co-chairing its 25th reunion this past fall, has been a member of the Parents and Alumni Seeking Students (PASS) program, and has represented Albright at college fairs for the Admission office. In 2010, she joined the Alumni Association Board, where she has served as secretary, alumni outreach committee chairperson, campus outreach committee chairperson and president elect-governance chairperson. During her last two years on the board, Patricia was the president, attending campaign events, move-in days and serving as a judge during homecoming for parade floats and air bands. She was also proud to serve as a member of the most recent Presidential Search Committee.
Patricia currently resides in Iselin, N.J. In her free time, she enjoys baking, crafting and spending time with her family and friends … most especially going to the beach in the summer months.