Hundreds Honor Late Seton Hall Alumnus, Stephen R. Gebhardt, with New Entrepreneurial Scholarship
Friday, September 12, 2025
Stephen Gebhardt with his nephew in the RSVLTS office
A scholarship in memory of successful entrepreneur and Seton Hall alumnus Stephen R. Gebhardt ’06 raised more than $130,000 in its inaugural year to benefit Seton Hall students. The campaign drew overwhelming support from over 750 donors in 46 states, Puerto Rico and overseas from England and France, showing the beloved impact of Steve’s life and legacy and a true testament to the reach of the Seton Hall community.
The Stephen Gebhardt ’06 Memorial Endowed Scholarship celebrates this spirit of resilience and innovation. Scholarships in his honor will be administered by the director of Seton Hall’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and awarded to students pursuing a certificate or degree in entrepreneurial studies or actively engaging in the center’s programs.
Seton Hall’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship helps students transform bold ideas into viable business ventures, showing the role of innovation in shaping the future.
“A gift like this honors the legacy of a remarkable entrepreneur like Stephen, while also empowering our students to become innovators and problem solvers who develop ideas, products and services that improve society,” said Susan Scherreik, M.B.A., founding director of the Stillman Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Stephen showing off RSVLTS merch
Gebhardt, formerly of Randolph and Jersey City, New Jersey, was known for wearing his Pirate pride on his sleeve. A communications major at Seton Hall, he was celebrated for his big ideas and entrepreneurial drive. After graduating in 2006, Steve worked with fellow alumnus and business partner John Tramutolo Jr. ’07 on marketing initiatives for clients including Microsoft and Unilever. Their ambitions soon shifted toward building a brand of their own.
That vision became RSVLTS® (The Roosevelts), an apparel company known for designs inspired by movies, television, sports, and pop culture that quickly accrued a cult following. An early setback nearly ended their dream when Fox sent a cease-and-desist letter over an unlicensed shirt design based on the movie The Sandlot. Instead of shutting the company down, Fox offered a licensing deal that opened the door to partnerships with Disney, Warner Brothers, Marvel, WWE, Major League Baseball and Seton Hall.
In May, the University partnered with his family and friends to launch a crowdfunding campaign in his honor. RSVLTS’ loyal following and Gebhardt’s enduring friendships fueled an outpouring of generosity that resulted in hundreds of gifts to endow the scholarship.
“Stephen’s story reminds us that courage and curiosity paired with vision and heart can transform lives and communities. Through this scholarship, his spirit will continue to inspire the next generation of visionaries,” said Monsignor Joseph Reilly, president of Seton Hall University.
“Stephen left behind a powerful legacy — showing that education, united with passion and opportunity, awakens purpose. We are proud of what he achieved in life, and of what his memory continues to make possible for our students,” said Jon Paparsenos, vice president of University Advancement.
“We feel beyond thankful to everyone who donated in honor of Steve,” the Gebhardt family shared. “He was a legend in life to so many people and this scholarship is a testament to how many he touched. The idea that his name will live on forever at one of his favorite places, Seton Hall, means so much to the family. Go Pirates!”
