Seton Hall University Receives $1 Million From Torcivia Family Foundation
Monday, April 4, 2022
Seton Hall Law alumnus Joseph A. Torcivia, Esq. announced that The Torcivia Family
Foundation is donating $1 million to Seton Hall University to help fund two University
priorities: endowed scholarships that will support qualified students based on financial
need, and the construction of a new basketball practice facility on the South Orange
campus. Torcivia is a former member of the Board of Regents and has been supportive
of the University since earning his law degree in 1985.
"For 40 years the Torcivia family has been supporting Seton Hall University in many
ways," noted University President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. "From partnering with us on
capital projects, to Joe's service on the Board, to their consistent philanthropy,
they have endorsed our people, our academic programming, and our vision for the future.
We are deeply grateful for this latest gift which firmly establishes their legacy
at Seton Hall."
Torcivia runs the family's commercial construction management business, Torcon, with
his brother, Ben Torcivia. Torcon was established by their father, Benedict Torcivia,
as a general contracting firm in 1965 and now serves clients in the eastern U.S.,
Canada, and Puerto Rico, with an annual construction volume of over $500 million.
"Seton Hall has been an integral part of my family's history," said Torcivia. "My
dad had both personal and business relationships with Seton Hall alumni stretching
back generations. When I remember my days at Seton Hall Law, it wasn't just the outstanding
legal training I received. Equally important for me were the people I met along the
way, including my colleagues and the clients I had the opportunity to work with while
practicing law. Many are still an important part of my life today."
Torcivia described his time at Seton Hall as "life-changing" and wants other students
to have access to transformational academic experiences, as well. "My brother and
I learned from our dad that we were in a very fortunate position," said Torcivia.
"Helping others gain access to higher education is a motivating factor for our gift,
no matter what field of study they are pursuing. Years ago, we established a scholarship
at Seton Hall named in honor of Professor John P. Deehan, a close family friend and
exceptional teacher. We're pleased to do it on a larger scale now and give more students
opportunities they otherwise might not have had."
"At Seton Hall, we are committed to supporting our Catholic mission and helping those
most in need gain a valuable college education," said Senior Vice President of Admissions,
Alyssa McCloud, Ph.D. "To support these promising young men and women and help them
realize their dream, we rely on visionary donors such as the Torcivia family. We are
grateful for their endowed support, which will make a world of difference in students' lives
for years to come."
Recently, Seton Hall announced its plans to build a state-of-the-art men's basketball
practice facility on campus. The University's goal is to sustain a perennial top 25
Men's Basketball program, which will drive a more robust student experience on and
off the University’s campuses. Torcivia has been incredibly supportive of Seton Hall's
athletics program over the years and sees the new facility as a game-changer for men's
basketball.
"As a member of the Board of Regents, I had a chance to travel to other universities
where Seton Hall was playing and I saw the tremendous facilities those schools had," said
Torcivia. "Creating a world-class practice facility will be a great recruiting tool
for the Pirates. It will support not only the athletics program, but the University
in general, because the better the team does on the court the more successful the
brand."
"We're so thankful to have Joe and Ben behind us on this critical capital project," said
Athletic Director Bryan Felt. "In the past six years, our men's basketball has enjoyed
tremendous success, and we want to maintain that upward trajectory. Building a dedicated
basketball practice facility will go a long way towards achieving that and will include
improvements for women's basketball and other athletics programs, as well. We hope
the Torcivia family's generosity inspires other Pirate fans to join him in investing
in our student-athletes."
Having served not only on the University's board but on other boards as well, Torcivia
knows the importance of making lead gifts to large capital projects and hopes his
largesse will inspire fellow alumni.
"Since my time on the board, I've never been more optimistic about Seton Hall's future," said
Torcivia. "A big part of that is having Dr. Nyre at the helm and an all-star team
behind him. They have given me confidence that the University can really get to that
next level."
The University invites alumni, parents, and friends interested in supporting or learning
more about Seton Hall's strategic priorities to contact [email protected], (973) 378-9800.
Categories: Alumni, Athletics, Faith and Service