College CFO Celebrated by Phi Theta Kappa
PARAMUS, N.J. – Wilton Thomas-Hooke, the chief financial officer at Bergen Community College, has earned the Distinguished College Administrator award from Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society of two-year colleges. Bergen’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter of the international organization nominated Thomas-Hooke for the honor based on his support of their work, according to PTK President and CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D.
“This prestigious award celebrates college leaders who go above and beyond in their commitment to student success,” she said in a letter notifying Thomas-Hooke of the award. “Although you were nominated for this award by the highest-achieving students on your campus, it truly reflects your commitment to the success of all students. They see and appreciate your dedication - both inside and outside the classroom - knowing you support their learning and the success of others like them. Because of you, they have a richer, more meaningful college experience.”
PTK will recognize this year’s honorees, including Thomas-Hooke, during the organization’s annual convention that will take place in Kansas City, Missouri in April.
“It’s gratifying that this nomination came from students,” Thomas-Hooke said. “I have a deep affinity for education and supporting our students, so it comes as a great honor to receive this award.”
As Bergen’s CFO, Thomas-Hooke provides executive leadership for the institution’s business operations as a member of the president’s cabinet. The areas he oversees includes budgeting, accounting, student financial services, purchasing and grants. Thomas-Hooke joined the College in 2019 after holding leadership positions in finance and business administration at New Jersey City University and Nabisco/Kraft Foods. He graduated from Rutgers-Newark with a bachelor’s of arts in computer science and a minor in mathematics; he earned an M.B.A. from Rutgers Business School and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Rowan University. His previous honors include the 2023 Bergen County Caribbean-American Outstanding Community Service Award.
PTK, the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges, has more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries. In 2019, Bergen’s PTK chapter earned the international and regional “Most Distinguished Chapter” awards, recognizing the chapter as the best in the entire world.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
Photo Caption: Wilton Thomas-Hooke