Humanitarian Award Recipients

2020 Humanitarian Award Recipients
Unofficial Biographies & Candidate Backgrounds

Mr. Thomas M. Culotta, Class of 2018:
(Source:  The Community School Website)

A graduate of Neumann University’s adult program, Tom Culotta is the founder of The Community School in Baltimore, an academic and mentoring program that has worked with hundreds of students since its founding. Tom helps students stabilize their lives, advance their education, and progress to college.

Begun as a community youth organization in 1977, The Community School started as a neighborhood-based effort in Remington to lower the area’s high school dropout rate. In 1982, a one-room schoolhouse was launched in the basement of Guardian Angel Church. Using supplies donated from the community, the effort had a single, unpaid teacher. The need for a full school program was soon evident.

In 1997, The Community School took over the building of the former Remington People’s Food Co-Op, a double storefront rowhouse, where it remains today. Under Tom's leadership, the program has grown from basic education, to a GED program and then a college prep program. In July 2013, after operating for 30 years, the program became a full, four-year, state-certified, non-public high school program.

Additional Article for Review

Mr. Edward R. Glassman, Class of 2017:
(Source:  Info obtained from Dr. Jilian Donnelly, Executive Director of Adult & Continuing Education)

Ed Glassman is a 2017 graduate of the Public Safety Administration program. He has not only served in the Fire Service, but also works as a First Responder, a dedicated Emergency Medical Technician and a Police Officer. All of his 35 years have been spent serving the City of Camden, New Jersey, one of the most violent and poverty-ridden cities in our nation.

Ed began his career in 1983 as an EMT for Certified Ambulance Service. In January 1985, he entered the City of Camden Police Academy serving as a patrolman until January 1991. He left the police department to enter the Camden Fire Department.

Now in his 29th year with the Camden Fire Department, Deputy Chief Glassman has served in every capacity and rank except Chief. Ed spent many years as a firefighter in Rescue 1, a highly skilled and elite unit, until his promotion in 2001, when he became Captain. In May 2008, he was promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to Battalion 2 which covers all of East and North Camden. In October 2010, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and assigned to City Wide Tour Commander. Currently assigned to Fire Administration, he leads the Training Division, Special Operations, Fire Boat Operations, and also serves as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator responsible for management of the Hazardous Material Annex, and the Search and Rescue Annex.

Ed’s colleagues and friends describe him as the “best example of the senior man.” In the fire service, that’s a huge compliment. It means he is always giving – giving his time to mentor, his knowledge to others, and his wonderful spirit and dedication to everything he does. He often holds “unofficial” coaching sessions to help the firefighters under him prepare and study for their own promotional exams. Active in his community, he is very well-respected. In his spare time, he and his wife rescue animals. He is simply “that guy” – the one who just gives and gives.