Rider’s Center for the Development of Leadership Skills (CDLS) has named Love Oluwadare '22 and Marc Suntup '74 its 2022 Leadership Legacy Award recipients.

The award is bestowed upon one graduating senior and one alumnus or alumna each year who have demonstrated excellence in leadership through service to others. 

"Both Marc and Love embody the spirit of the Leadership Legacy Award in that their leadership was focused on assuring they included and empowered those around them as they developed initiatives for their communities that would create a lasting impact,” says Laura Seplaki, associate director of CDLS. 

A biology and health sciences double major, Oluwadare served in numerous leadership roles for organizations during her time at Rider. She was an orientation leader, a mentor in Rider's General Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies program for undeclared majors, the chairperson for the Student Entertainment Council, a community assistant and a tour guide.

Oluwadare also held various service roles within the Bonner Community Scholar Program. The scholarship program selects a small number of students per year to complete 300 hours of community service. She was selected to serve as a senior Bonner intern, a role reserved for one student at each Bonner campus who demonstrates a deep commitment to the program. As an intern, she played a key role in daily operations, creating student development opportunities, supporting fellow Bonner Scholars, especially first-year students, and served as a liaison to other organizations on campus and in the community. Oluwadare was also a Meals on Wheels intern and manager of Rider's on-campus student pantry. She mentored many younger members within the organization and even created a mentorship program for the Bonner Scholars.

Suntup has supported his community through work as a top-level leader and mentor with nonprofit organizations including the American Heart Association, the Gurwin Jewish Healthcare Foundation and Island Harvest Food Bank. Suntup and his teams raised more than $250 million dollars for the nonprofit organizations under his watch.

During his time at Rider as a political science major, Suntup was vice president of his freshman and sophomore classes, chairman of the Student Affairs Council, a resident assistant and a resident supervisor. 

Launched in 2004, the Center for the Development of Leadership Skills provides effective leadership training and quality programming to develop the leadership capacities of the Rider community. The Center complements and expands upon Rider’s tradition of producing tomorrow’s innovative leaders and confident professionals.