Estate Gift to Create the Exstein ’72 – Priceman Scholarship

For as long as he can remember, Gerald “Gerry” Exstein ’72 has been interested in engineering and electronics. “My father managed a paint store, but his hobby was electronics,” he recalls. Whether his interest in technology sprang from observing his father’s ingenuity or if he was simply heeding the call of his own DNA, Exstein decided to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Newark College of Engineering (NCE). “NCE was an affordable choice for my family. It was close to home, and I was awarded a scholarship,” he says.

After graduating from college, Gerry began his career as a junior engineer with ITT Avionics Division and later moved into a role with ITT Defense Communications Division. After 18 years, he left ITT and New Jersey for balmier weather and a consulting role in the Tampa, Florida, area specializing in software development and database projects. Although fully retired now, Gerry may still be found helping friends with their technology needs.

When Gerry and his sister were considering their estate plans, they saw NJIT as a vehicle for honoring their family’s immigrant roots and showing appreciation to his alma mater while also creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers. The result is the Exstein ’72 – Priceman Scholarship, an endowed fund that will provide scholarships for generations to come.

“My mother’s family, the Pricemans, were successful in business and investing,” Gerry explains. “We wanted to recognize their hard work, thus the name. This scholarship is intended for students who are immigrants or are the children of immigrants as a way to acknowledge the path that our parents and grandparents walked.”

While Gerry encourages his fellow alumni to support scholarships at NJIT, he advises students to take advantage of all that the university has to offer. “Absorb what you can,” he says. “The education you will get at NJIT is very, very good and will help you lead a successful career.”