Galloway, N.J. – John Froonjian, executive director of William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton, was named the 2023 Steadfast and Loyal Friend by Building One New Jersey. Froonjian received this award due to being an outstanding ally and supporter of the organization's work to train and develop leaders advancing social and racial justice in New Jersey. 

Froonjian joined the Hughes Center in October 2011, but before that was a newspaper reporter and editor at The Press of Atlantic City for 32 years. Being a voice and telling stories for those who may not be able to otherwise has been a thread woven throughout his evolving career path. 

"Few people are as lucky as I was in their professions. Being a journalist before the decline of newspapers was exciting, challenging, rewarding, and, most of all, fun. You met interesting people at all levels of life and got to write about them. It was creative work, and it never felt like a job. I was able to leave on top and was given the opportunity here to establish the Stockton Polling Institute before becoming director of the Hughes Center," Froonjian reflected.

"I realized my entire career before then had prepared me for my final role: having studied and analyzed public policy and legislation, meeting New Jersey's political leaders and forming relationships in government, business and academia. It feels like directing the Hughes Center was the role I had prepared for all my working life, and I'm grateful to Stockton for the opportunity to do that work." Froonjian is scheduled to retire from his role in the Center on March 1, and as fate would have it, he gets to work an extra day because it is a leap year.

During an awards ceremony on Dec. 14, 2023, Froonjian was formally recognized by Building One New Jersey. He said he was honored and humbled to be on the stage with leaders in the civil rights, social justice, and economic justice movements throughout New Jersey who have done so much to improve people's lives.

"It underscored for me the importance of Stockton University having declared its 'Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice' in July 2020 and for the Hughes Center to be part of that effort," he noted.

When asked why this particular award was significant, Froonjian said, "Awards are nice, but the real importance is that it validates that your organization is fighting the good fight and doing the kind of work that makes a positive difference. And this is not so much recognition for me personally but of the Hughes Center for Public Policy. I get to accept it just because I happen to be the director."

Additionally, the Hughes Center sponsored Building One New Jersey's community organizer training for the past two years here at Stockton. Froonjian spoke about why this type of training and supporting an organization like this is meaningful.

"Ambassador Hughes was passionate about encouraging broad participation in democracy. It's less democratic when certain groups of people don't have a seat at the table because of their race or ethnicity or socio-economic status. As a former political reporter, what I love about this training is its hard-nosed practicality. It says you cannot make change if you do not know how to attain and use power, and we're going to teach you how to do that. Hosting that training helps the Center and Stockton honor its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Froonjian, also an adjunct at Stockton, shared some sound advice for students passionate about public policy and social justice. "Don't be afraid to take jobs that don't pay a lot but provide experience and most importantly, contacts and networking opportunities. Relationships are the key to making progress in the public arena. Also, don't be afraid to work hard. Nobody lazy ever really accomplishes anything. That doesn't mean be a workaholic; always make time for family and recreation. Just show up when the whistle blows, willing to get your hands dirty."

And what are his retirement plans? "People think I'm joking when I say I will spend significant time sitting and staring into space. But I started working at age 11, most of the time with long and stressful hours," he shared candidly. "And at age 67, I've earned the right to do nothing – for a while. I hope to have the opportunity to continue teaching at some point and get back into writing, possibly journalism, but also fiction. My friends say I won't be able to resist staying involved. Maybe they're right."

Reported by Mandee McCullough

Photos courtesy of Building One New Jersey