Tuesday, Mar 7, 2017
N.J. congress members, CEOs will be recognized
The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics
will honor four distinguished New Jerseyans during its annual Rebovich Gala at Greenacres Country Club on Friday, March 10. Proceeds from the event are used to provide free civic programming and to support Rider students who take unpaid political internships. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey’s 12 Congressional District will receive the Rebovich Leadership Award. Coleman, who has advocated for women, economic and socially disadvantaged populations and other groups in society, was the first African-American woman to serve as majority leader of the New Jersey General Assembly and to serve as the chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. Furthermore, her election to the House of Representatives made her the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas A. Bracken, who has been involved with the Chamber for more than 30 years and has four decades of experience in the banking and financial service industry, will receive the Rebovich Citizenship Award. Bracken, who was once a Rider University student, is also the chairman of the New Jersey Alliance for Action Foundation.
State Senator Steve Oroho will receive the Rebovich Legislative Award. Oroho represents the 24th legislative district, encompassing all of Sussex County and parts of Morris and Warren Counties. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2013. Oroho sits on three committees in the Senate and has been honored as Legislator of the Year by both the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and by NJ SEED.
The Rebovich Corporate Citizen Award will be given to Elizabeth A. Ryan, Esq., as president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA). Founded in 1918, the NJHA today is one of the largest and most influential healthcare organizations in the state, representing almost 400 individual hospitals, health systems, and other providers.
“The Rebovich Institute has a unique role to play in the world of politics,” explains Ben Dworkin, assistant professor of political science and director of the Rebovich Institute. “This Gala allows the Institute to continue its tradition of free, civic programming and to support Rider students who take on unpaid internships in politics and government.” “The money we raise at the Gala will make a real difference in the lives of students, who will now find increased scholarships for doing all-important internships, and additional access to top policy makers who will be speaking at Rider,” says Dworkin.
The 6 p.m. dinner reception will be followed by desserts and the award ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The Rebovich Gala is co-chaired by Ronald S. Ladell of Avalon Bay Communities and Melanie Willoughby of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
For ticket information, as well as information about special sponsor packages, please visit https://alumni.rider.edu/2017rebovichgala.