As members of the R Fund Big Ten Build Society, Ed and Peggy Adamcik have given generously to the physical manifestation of Rutgers' rising trajectory. Their names and donations are attached to the best-in-class facilities and amenities launching the Scarlet Knights into a new and prosperous era.
Yet Ed and Peggy's biggest impact "On the Banks" didn't cost a single cent.
The soon-to-be betrothed couple graduated from Rutgers side-by-side in the spring of 1990 with matching degrees in pharmacy. Their marriage was born from a deep friendship forged in the halls of William Levine Hall, the Library of Science and Medicine, and naturally, the Old Queens Tavern. They were married in the historic Kirkpatrick Chapel on a hill overlooking the Raritan River as an ode to their origin story.
The education at one of the top pharmacy institutions in the world led to successful careers in the industry. The Adamciks, Scarlet Knight fans from the onset, remained true to their roots and stayed connected to Rutgers Athletics through football season tickets, which they have kept for 30 years. Following the Scarlet Knights, and not just football, became their favorite pastime outside of the office.
Their growing fandom coincided with flourishing careers, and Ed and Peggy began to give back to their alma mater. Growing their support to the "All-American" level, the Adamciks were invited to the annual celebration of R Fund donors – the 50-Yard-Line Dinner at SHI Stadium in August of 2018.
At the event, a bit of serendipity seated the former pharmacy majors next to
Owen Mead, a Class of 2020 biology major, a rising junior on the Scarlet Knights' men's lacrosse team, and a young man who needed just one push in the right direction. Without opening a checkbook, Ed and Peggy Adamcik helped shape Owen's path with a simple conversation that turned into life-altering mentorship.
"I was lost professionally, not sure where I wanted to go," said Mead, a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner coming off a junior season with 13 goals and seven assists for the Scarlet Knights. "I needed someone to step in and show me the way. We sparked conversation at the dinner, and I told them I was interested in health care. They really cared about me, my education, how the lacrosse team was doing. They told me what they did, and I didn't even know that was an option available to me. It was special that they took me under their wing, walked me through the process of getting involved in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries."
Ed would advise Owen on resume writing and interview preparation. He connected Owen with Express Scripts, Ed's home base in Pharma for 24 years, where Owen completed a valuable internship in the summer of 2019. The company is now a property of Cigna, which has offered Owen a full-time position with the healthcare giant.
"It reaffirmed the importance of giving back to students and student-athletes who may not have access to the mentors in an industry," Ed said. "I didn't have that. It wasn't readily available. It's so valuable to make those connections, give advice."
"Owen is a great kid, well-spoken and confident," he continued. "He's the type of person that just needs a chance. He made the rest happen and he's well on his way to a great career. That's the type of person that I'd like to help. We need to help these young kids find their way. There are people in a position to help, but maybe aren't involved yet. You have to put yourself out there, through donations, events or being involved as a mentor in the Department of Leadership Development and Strategic Partnerships."
The Adamciks were inspired to expand their support of Rutgers student-athletes. In February of 2018, they set up the Adamcik Family Athletic Scholarship, which has benefitted the nationally ranked wrestling program over the past two seasons.
The financial support was made possible by successful careers in the biopharmaceutical industry. Ed worked with Express Scripts for 24 years, rising to the role of vice president before his departure. He is now the president of Ascent Health Services based in Switzerland. Peggy worked as a pharmacist for two decades, served non-profits and raised their child, Aidan, a current senior at Dickinson College.
"The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was a college education and to have it without crippling dept," Peggy said. "We want to help someone go down that same path. Aside from supporting scholarships, it would be great if more people recognized they can help without giving money. Without an education and without mentors in this world, you're behind. If you have the passion for it, you should be given the opportunity. We wanted to help someone get what they want and get it at the highest caliber institution like Rutgers."
Rutgers provided the framework for the Adamciks' aspirations. Rutgers also provided some memorable athletic events, which helped them stay tied to the place their family began. As students, Ed and Peggy drove through snowstorms to Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournaments, roadtripped to Rutgers' victory at Michigan State in 1989, and have continued to follow Rutgers on the road, including trips to Knoxville, South Bend, Austin, Ann Arbor and Morgantown and bowl games just to name a few.
Ed remembers frantically trying to grab extra tickets to the football game against No. 3 ranked Louisville in 2006 –subsequently dubbed "Pandemonium in Piscataway" and one of the greatest victories in Rutgers football history. Ed was admonished by the ticket office with a striking response to his pleas – "You know we're good now, right?"
"There's a similar buzz around Rutgers now," Ed says. "Greg Schiano is back, wrestling has national champions, the basketball teams are on a meteoric rise. Everything is going in the right direction with the new coaches, the new facilities, kids transferring in. It's remarkable.
"Traveling around the country, we see the other amazing college atmospheres," he said. "We come back home, and it looks good to us, but it's nowhere near where they need to be to compete with these other schools. To be part of that growth and the future success, there is so much pride in our alma mater. The education is there, but we want the whole package."
Ed and Peggy experienced it all together from the moment they met on the first day of college orientation. They took the same classes, hung with the same group of friends. They rose the ranks of tailgating lots (currently in Scarlet) with a group that stayed together so long, their kids have become close thanks to the gravel and tarmac surrounding SHI Stadium.'
Now it's about passing it on through donations, scholarships and mentorship. The Adamciks even found out recently they could benefit from a little guidance. Always interested in giving back to Rutgers and boosting the athletic department that gave them so many memories, the couple gained perspective on the best way to allocate their support from Associate Director of Development
Joe Giaimo.
"Joe has been amazing," Peggy said. "His passion for this job and the school. Despite not being an alum, he sees the big picture, sees the direction and works tirelessly in good times and bad. He brought us into this more, he changed the point of view. Our ideals were there, and he guided the way."
The Bells Must Ring campaign is about the impact of participation. Every person and every gift makes a difference in the lives of Scarlet Knight student-athletes. The Bells Must Ring is designed to increase our donor participation in support of annual operating dollars. It will support athletic scholarships, The Big Ten Champions Fund, Leadership Development & Strategic Partnerships, and program specific giving.
Our pursuit of excellence, and climb to the top of the Big Ten, starts with every single member of Rutgers Nation. Together we will carry out the words of our Rutgers fight song, "THE BELLS OF QUEENS MUST RING TONIGHT!"
