Wednesday, Feb 25, 2015
Senate president, county executive, congressman and NJBIA president to be feted March 6
by Kristine A. Brown
The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University will honor four distinguished New Jerseyans at the Rebovich Gala on Friday, March 6, at Greenacres Country Club. A dinner reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dessert and the awards program at 7:30 p.m.
Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2002, and been its presiding officer since 2010, will receive the Rebovich Legislative Award. Representing the 3rd legislative district, Sen. Sweeney has been committed to helping working families, individuals with special needs, and higher education.
Receiving the Rebovich Leadership Award will be Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes. Hughes was elected executive in November 2003 and was re-elected for a third term in November 2011. During his tenure, Hughes has built an outstanding record in fiscal management, social services delivery, open space preservation and economic growth.
Newly elected Congressman Tom MacArthur, of New Jersey’s 3rd legislative district, will receive the Rebovich Citizenship Award in recognition of his past accomplishments as a successful businessman, Mayor and Councilman and the work of the charitable foundation that he and his wife Debbie established.
The Rebovich Corporate Neighbor Award is being given to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) and its new president, Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. Prior to joining NJBIA, Siekerka served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, as president and CEO of the Mercer (County) Regional Chamber of Commerce, and on the Washington Township Board of Education as well as the boards of numerous community organizations.
Proceeds from the Rebovich Gala support scholarships for Rider students in unpaid political internships and civic programming at Rider University.
“The reason we support student internships and offer civic programming is because of our commitment to improve New Jersey,” says Ben Dworkin, assistant professor of political science and director of the Rebovich Institute. “The Gala doesn't just raise money for projects. It allows us to keep a promise we made to uphold the legacy of Dr. David Rebovich by raising the level of political discourse and training the next generation of political leadership."
The gala is co-chaired by Jayne O’Connor of Capital Health and Patrick L. Ryan, chairman and director of Hopewell Valley Community Bank.
Tickets, sponsorships and ad journal information are available at www.rider.edu/rebovich.