Seton Hall Honors Our Veterans

Master Chief Jonathan Bertera ’04, Navy SEAL

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  Master Chief Jonathan Bertera is a Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. A native of Washington, D.C., He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Seton Hall University and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 2005. After completing recruit training and Operations Specialist “A” School, he attended BUD/S training and graduated from SQT in August 2006. 

  His operational deployments include five tours to Somalia, two tours to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Chad/Uganda. He has held tactical or operational leadership positions at every rank. Most recently, he served as the Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Eight. Master Chief Bertera is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, SOCOM, and NSW Command Leaders Courses, as well as the Navy CMC/COB Course. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. His decorations include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple commendations. 

Moderated by Father James A. Hamel, M.A. '99
Alumni Chaplain, University Advancement
U.S. Air Force Veteran

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  Chaplain Hamel is a native of New Jersey and was ordained a Catholic priest in May 1992. He served as a civilian priest in the Archdiocese of Newark (NJ) for eight years and was commissioned a chaplain, first lieutenant, in the Air Force in 1999. He came on active duty in July of 2000. 

  Chaplain, Colonel James A. Hamel served as the Command Chaplain, Pacific Air Force (PACAF), Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, Hawaii. He implemented the commander’s religious support program to provide for the free exercise of religion for 46,000 Airmen serving principally in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.

  He has served as a Chaplain, Deputy Wing Chaplain, Wing Chaplain, 25 Air Force Senior Chaplain and as Command Chaplain, Air Combat Command. He has also served as an Intern at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains, an Instructor at the Air Force Chaplain Corps College, and a staff officer at the Chaplain Corps Resource Development Center. 

Major General Edward J. Chrystal
U.S. Army, Retired

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  Description.

Jon Paparsenos ‘99
Vice President, University Advancement
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

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  Paparsenos provides leadership and oversight over the University’s fundraising and alumni efforts and serves as the institutions chief fundraising officer. Jon brings more than 17 years’ experience in the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns and building high performing Advancement teams.

  Prior to Seton Hall, Jon served as the Vice President for Philanthropy and CEO UNSW Foundation at UNSW Sydney in Australia, with Caltech (the California Institute of Technology), with Marquette University in Wisconsin and with Community Counseling Co., LLC in New York.

  Jon came to philanthropy following an eight-year service with the U.S. Marine Corps. Jon holds a Bachelors from Seton Hall University. He is a fluent Greek speaker and emigrated from Greece at the age of 18 to the United States.

Brendan Balestrieri, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice, School of Diplomacy and International Relations
U.S. Army Veteran

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  Brendan Balestrieri is a Professor of Practice in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University, where he teaches Introduction to International Relations, Comparative Homeland Security, American Grand Strategy, and International Security. His research focuses on military alliances, military reserve forces, and relations between North and South Korea. His work has been published in The Diplomat, the Journal of Strategic Security, Korea on Point, Army Sustainment, the Korea JoongAng Daily, and War on the Rocks. A lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve, he has over 20 years of experience serving in the United States military, primarily overseas.

Timothy Awojobi, M.P.A.
Founder and CEO, TTA Empire Inc.;
Seton Hall Alummus
U.S. Air Force Veteran

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  Timothy Awojobi is a United States Air Force veteran, nonprofit executive, and public service leader dedicated to advancing veteran welfare, mental health equity, and community empowerment. Born in Newark and raised in Union, New Jersey, he earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations and Master’s degree in Public Administration from Kean University.

  He served honorably in the United States Air Force from 2016 to 2022, supporting humanitarian missions including Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome, earning multiple commendations. 

  Awojobi is the Founder and CEO of TTA Empire Inc., a nonprofit focused on veteran outreach, housing, education, and mental health initiatives. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. doctoral degree in higher education leadership at Seton Hall University, where his work as an educator and administrator centers on advancing student veteran research and fostering student success across institutions throughout New Jersey.

Alejandro Osorio

Seton Hall Undergraduate Student
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

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  Alejandro Carrada Osorio is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a first-generation service member and a first-generation college student studying political science at Seton Hall University. He founded the Student Veterans Organization at Seton Hall to help build a stronger sense of community and support for veterans and military-connected students on campus.

  Outside of school, Alejandro is a member of the American Legion in Weehawken and stays involved with organizations such as NJ Latino Veterans and the New Jersey Veterans Chamber of Commerce. He is interested in public service, entrepreneurship and finding ways to give back to the veteran and Latino communities. More than anything, he is still learning, growing and looking for opportunities to use his experiences to help others and make a positive difference in his community.

Reverend Colin Kay, M.Div. ’05
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
U.S. Army Veteran

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  Rev. Colin Adrian Kay, M.Div.’05, was appointed Vice President for Mission and Ministry in September of 2020. Born in the city of Newark and raised right beside the University’s South Orange campus, he attended Seton Hall Prep and later Columbia University, where he earned a B.A. in Latin.

  After college, Fr. Colin went to basic training and officer candidate school at Fort Benning, GA and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the field artillery.

  He trained and served in Oklahoma, Alabama, California, and finally in Germany.  After four years of service in the military and seven years of contemplative life in a Carthusian monastery, he completed his studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark.

  Father Kay served in parish ministry and in high school chaplaincy before being appointed Director of Campus Ministry at Seton Hall, where he focused on the pastoral and spiritual needs of students, staff and faculty on the South Orange campus. In the Office of Mission and Ministry, Father Kay seeks to ensure, promote, and support the mission of Seton Hall in the University’s ministry outreaches and in all its many efforts.