Honoring a Legacy: Michael DeStefano Memorial Scholarship Now Available

Some people leave a lasting impression through the work they do. Others leave a legacy through the lives they touch. Michael DeStefano did both.

A proud Brookdale Community College alumnus, dedicated employee, lifelong learner, and public servant, Michael DeStefano spent his life investing in education, his community, and the success of others. Today, his commitment to students continues through the Michael DeStefano Endowed Memorial Scholarship, established by his family, all Brookdale alumni, in his memory. The endowed scholarship honors Mike’s decades of service to the College and will help future generations pursue careers in Nursing and Accounting. To make a donation to the scholarship please visit the Brookdale Foundation website.

“Mike embodied the spirit of Brookdale Community College as a student, an employee, a mentor, and a lifelong learner,” said President David M. Stout, PhD. “This scholarship is a fitting tribute to his extraordinary dedication to our students, his colleagues, and the College. Through the generosity of his family, his passion for education will continue to open doors and create opportunities for generations of Brookdale students.”

Mike’s relationship with Brookdale began in the mid-1970s, when he enrolled in classes while completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Monmouth College. He appreciated Brookdale’s affordable tuition and welcoming campus environment, taking advantage of student activities including plays, movies, concerts, and educational trips.

His curiosity extended far beyond the classroom. Even after earning his bachelor’s degree, Mike continued taking computer science courses at Brookdale and independently taught himself emerging computer technologies. Recognizing early that computers would transform the workplace, he purchased his first computer in 1980 and became proficient in a wide range of software applications. In 1986, he earned his MBA from Monmouth College, but his education never truly ended.

After spending 23 years in the accounting department at McGraw-Hill, Mike found what his family describes as a full-circle opportunity when he joined Brookdale Community College as Accounts Receivable Manager, later serving as a director in the Cashier’s Office for more than 20 years. He brought with him decades of accounting expertise, technical knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to improving processes for students and colleagues alike.

Joseph Foster, who served on the zoning and adjustment boards in Long Branch, remembers Mike as someone who constantly looked for ways to make the College more efficient.

“He always found a way to create databases and develop useful information that made not only his own job, but the jobs of his fellow employees, easier and more productive,” Foster said. “Mike was always up to every challenge, seeking practical ways to improve life for his employees, the city’s residents, and his family and friends.”

Mike’s impact reached well beyond campus. He served the City of Long Branch as a councilman for more than 20 years, was a member of the Planning Board, and earned his Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) designation. Whether serving residents, improving municipal government, or supporting students, Mike approached every role with integrity, intelligence, and humility.

Foster recalls that although the two occasionally disagreed on policy while serving together, their friendship never wavered.

“The important thing was that we could disagree without being disagreeable,” Foster said. “Mike always kept his integrity intact. He was, in every sense of the word, a gentleman.”

Education was also a family tradition. Mike’s wife, Renee, is a graduate of Brookdale’s Nursing program and spent her career caring for newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Monmouth Medical Center. Their three sons also attended Brookdale, making the College an important part of the DeStefano family’s story across generations.

Today, that story continues through the Michael DeStefano Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship awards two $600 scholarships annually, one to a Brookdale student majoring in nursing and one to a student majoring in accounting. By supporting students pursuing the same fields that shaped Mike’s professional life and his family’s educational journey, the scholarship reflects his enduring belief that learning opens doors and creates opportunities.

Students interested in applying must:

• Be enrolled full-time or part-time at Brookdale.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Submit an essay describing their educational and career goals and explaining how the scholarship will benefit them.

The application deadline is August 23, 2026.

For Mike, learning was never something that ended with a diploma. Throughout his life, he continued taking courses simply for the joy of expanding his horizons, from French and Italian classes before memorable European vacations to professional certifications that strengthened his public service.

His family says the lesson he shared most often was simple:

Never stop learning.

Through this scholarship, that lesson and Mike’s remarkable legacy will continue to inspire Brookdale students for generations to come.

Apply for the Michael DeStefano Endowed Memorial Scholarship by August 23, 2026.