Kelsey Grammer Stars In Georgian Court Fundraiser In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — Kelsey Grammer of "Frasier" and "Cheers" fame added his own brand of star status - and his own beer - to Georgian Court University's annual scholarship fundraiser.

The Lakewood university's annual Scholarship and Golf Classic took place at Battleground Country Club Monday, and attracted 88 golfers, a publicist for the event said.

And the event included a fundraising reception for 175 - all to raise scholarship money for the school.

"It's nice to do something good. It's a good cause and a great day, and I'm very happy to be able to showcase my beer and help the scholarship program," Grammer said in a statement.

Grammer spent many years in New Jersey and now lives in the Catskills region of New York State - the home of his Faith American line of beer, a publicist for the event said. She said Faith is the name of his daughter and even the artwork on the beer label has a family and nature theme.

The beer tasting was part of a reception including a celebratory dinner, an auction and raffle, an awards ceremony, and a chance to play a round of golf with Grammer.

But as much fun as the beer and the golf created, raising money for the school's scholarship fund was the core of the event.

University President Joseph Marbach said "All the money raised today goes to scholarships that will help students make their dream of getting a college education a reality."

The event normally raises $100,000 for the university's general scholarship fund, but this year there is a goal of $125,000, the publicist said.

At Georgian Court, 98 percent of students receive financial aid and 39 percent of students come from households facing serious economic challenges, the university said. There are more than 2,200 students at the university.

And after the pandemic, these challenges have grown and scholarships are even more necessary for students to fund their education, the school added.

For the last 26 years, the Annual Scholarship and Golf Classic has raised over $2.8 million in student scholarships and has benefitted over 700 students, the school said.

Georgian Court University was founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy, and has a Roman Catholic tradition. It became fully coeducational in 2013, and students of all faiths and backgrounds are enrolled, the college says.

The main campus is in Lakewood, on the former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Other locations include GCU at Lincroft, GCU at Rowan College of South Jersey–Cumberland Campus. There are multiple online degree and certificate programs offered, too.