Dear MCNY Community,
It is with deep sadness that I share the news that John Rodgers, Chair Emeritus of the Metropolitan College of New York Board of Trustees, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
John Rodgers served this institution with dedication and grace—first as Vice Chair, then as Chairman until 2010. Without retiring, he continued his service to the College as Board Treasurer. Through every role, he never stopped thinking about the College or the students it serves. His steady leadership helped guide MCNY through times of change and growth, always with the goal of expanding opportunity and strengthening the mission he believed in so deeply.
In recognition of his service and generosity, and with support from the Howard & Katherine Aibel Foundation, the Rodgers family and the College, the John Rodgers Scholarship Fund was established in honor of his 90th birthday. The fund stands as a lasting tribute to his values and his belief in the transformative power of education.
John Rodgers was a friend to the Cohen family for much of his life, a connection that endured until the end.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Janet Rodgers, and the Rodgers family. John Rodgers’s wisdom, kindness, and quiet commitment to Metropolitan College of New York will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect.
Gary P. Jenkins, MPA ’06
Chair, Board of Trustees
Metropolitan College of New York
