Hudson County Bishop Honored as Scholarship Fund Raises Record $150,000

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children raised over $150,000 for partial tuition assistance scholarships during its fourth annual Irish American Leadership Breakfast on March 12, setting a new fundraising record for the event and surpassing its 2025 total by more than $20,000.

The nonprofit, a partner of the Archdiocese of Newark, distributes scholarships to underprivileged students attending archdiocesan Catholic schools. Guests gathered at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Newark for the pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which featured traditional Irish food, live music, and step dancing performed by the Emerald Isle Academy of Dance.

The event honored two distinguished Irish Americans for their commitment to Catholic education: Bishop Gregory J. Studerus, auxiliary bishop emeritus for the Archdiocese of Newark, and John C. Walton, an emeritus trustee of the fund and chairman of DVUV, LLC. Studerus previously served Hudson County as its episcopal vicar and as a pastor at parishes in Jersey City and West New York. Both honorees noted the longstanding Irish tradition of valuing words and learning, citing renowned authors such as James Joyce and Jonathan Swift.

“SFIC was proud to honor Bishop Studerus and Jack Walton, who truly embody the legacy of our founder, Archbishop Peter Gerety, and the many Irish American board members we’ve had through the years,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, the fund’s chief executive officer. “They value Catholic education just as much as they love their Irish heritage. And because of their leadership and generosity, they’ve helped us send countless children to the Archdiocese’s exemplary schools.”