Rich Panicucci graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1964 and a Master’s in Business Administration in 1966. Following graduation, Panicucci immediately made his mark on campus. In September 1966 he joined the College of Business Administration as a full-time faculty member.
His administrative attributes were quickly recognized and in 1968 he was appointed Deputy Chair of the then non-departmentalized College of Business Administration. He was instrumental in the departmentalization of the College of Business and in 1978 was elected as Chair of the Department of Accounting and Quantitative Analysis.
By 1977 his reputation as a student advocate was known campus wide. A survey of 1500 students selected him as the most favorite professor on campus.
In 1980, Panicucci created and directed the first formal academic advisement center which was quickly duplicated university wide. He was asked in 1982 to chair the newly formed Department of Decision Sciences. From 1986 to 1995 Panicucci served as Associate Dean for Student Services for the Silberman College of business Administration and Interim Dean in 1996.
Because of his dedication and deep interest in the academic welfare of student-athletes, then President Donaldson, in 1990, appointed him as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative; a position he held until his retirement in 2011.
Together with Associate Athletic Director Ann Gulino, he designed and implemented an Academic Monitoring Program; designed to track the academic progress of student-athletes and provide support and feedback concerning student-athletes more efficiently. The program received acclaim from the NCAA as one of the best athlete support programs in the country.
During his career with FDU, Panicucci, a tireless advocate for the student-athlete also served as Assistant Provost for Campus Life from 2000 until his retirement in 2011.
Panicucci received several awards for his contributions and dedication to the Athletic Department. In 2000 he received the Athletic Department Award for service to student-athletes. In 2004 he received the Rogers Muse Award for his special contributions and dedication to The Athletic Department and in the same year he received Fairleigh Dickinson’s most prestigious award; The Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching.
In 2010 the Student-Athlete Service Award was permanently renamed The Richard Panicucci Student-Athlete Service Award.
In 2011, President Adams bestowed to him the rank of Professor Emeritus.
