Galloway, N.J. —The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University honored one of its founders on Nov. 13 as part of its biennial honors ceremony.

Edward H. Salmon, the center’s Advisory Board Emeritus Founding Chair, received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Civility in Politics and Government Award for his contributions to New Jersey public life at the Hughes Center Honors.

Before a crowd of more than 225 people in the Campus Center Event Room, the ceremony acknowledged outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their field. The event also recognized its honorees for a commitment to public service, civility and bipartisanship — all characteristics of Hughes, whose distinguished career included service in the U.S. House of Representatives representing southern New Jersey, Ambassador to Panama and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stockton.

Other honorees included Christina M. Renna, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey; Cassie Iacovelli, the former executive director of MainStreet Hammonton; Jessica Ramirez ’98, an attorney at D’Arcy Johnson Day and a New Jersey District 32 Assemblywoman; and Vlad Vasylyk, a Stockton junior Political Science major with a concentration in International Affairs and a minor in Global Studies.

“On behalf of the Hughes family it’s truly a privilege to welcome you as we celebrate a remarkable group of individuals whose leadership, service and integrity made a lasting impression on civic life, public service and communities across the country,” said Hughes’ daughter Barbara Hughes Sullivan.

Stockton President Joe Bertolino saluted all of the honorees and praised the importance of the Hughes Center’s continuing work.

“These honorees remind us that integrity still matters. That dialogue still matters. That rolling up our sleeves and working together, across sectors and across ideologies, is still the best way to build stronger, more connected communities,” he said. “These are the very values Congressman William J. Hughes championed throughout his life. And they continue to guide the important work of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.”

Richard Tolson, the chair of the Hughes Center Advisory Board, served as master of ceremonies for the awards, which included:

Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Civility in Government and Politics Award

During his 26 years as an elected official whether that was as the mayor of Millville, a Cumberland County Freeholder or a state assemblyman, Edward Salmon was always a true public servant and never a politician, said Kim Schalek Downes, the vice chair of the Hughes Center Advisory Board and vice president of Business Development, Government and External Affairs at New Jersey American Water.

Salmon also spent 27 years in business and industry and founded four successful companies in New Jersey. And he spent 27 years in the Millville public schools as a teacher, basketball coach and administrator.

“It was his lifetime friendship with Ambassador Hughes that fueled his commitment to the creation of the Hughes Center,” said Downes, who introduced Salmon at the ceremony. “His impact is multigenerational, and he has helped develop and nurture young people into contributing members of our community.”

Salmon thanked the audience for both of the awards, especially several friends and family in attendance.

“To all of you who’ve been a blessing in my life and to (his wife) Marilyn’s life, thank you for your constant support, for your effective advice, for your winning guidance, for your wonderful friendship and most of all your love,” he said. “You all made tonight possible, and I thank everybody for being here.

Before presenting Salmon with his award, Tolson announced that the center is raising funds to create the Dr. Ed Salmon Educational Endowment to provide resources for students studying Political Science.

“We are committed to completing this effort and in partnership with the Stockton Foundation, you will perpetually be linked to this center and Stockton University,” Tolson said.

Excellence in Civic Engagement Award

Renna started working at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey in 2007 when she was 26 years old.

“I am no longer 26 years old,” she said with a laugh. “But working at the chamber has been the most rewarding work I think anyone could really do. Because what we do every day is connect people, build sustainable relationships amongst business owners and their employees, amongst employers and nonprofit organizations and between policy makers, Republican or Democrat. It doesn’t matter. It’s all to help South Jersey grow.”

As the chamber’s president and CEO, Renna has elevated the role of the chamber as a powerful catalyst for economic development and regional progress, said Hughes Center Assistant Director Alyssa Maurice.

“You have demonstrated how civic engagement can lead to concrete change, and how leadership rooted in service and access can help communities thrive,” she said.

Excellence in Community Leadership Award

Christina Birchler, the director of Stockton’s Hammonton instructional site, praised Iacovelli as a trusted collaborator and mentor through their work together with MainStreet Hammonton.

Iacovelli served as the executive director of the organization for 15 years and during her tenure Hammonton became a destination for arts, events, shopping, dining and craft beverages.

“Her guidance, insight and unwavering belief in the power of community have left a lasting impression on me, and on so many others who have had the privilege of working alongside her,” Birchler said.

Iacovelli said she was extremely honored to receive the award in front of her family.

“I believe we should all try to lead by example, and I hope I’ve lived up to that for my kids and my grandchildren,” she said. “Each of my children have grown up to be outstanding citizens, all contributing to the communities in ways that make me so very proud.”

Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award

Ramirez said receiving her Hughes Center award at her alma mater felt like a full circle moment. She moved to New Jersey from Puerto Rico at 8 with little money, no connections and not being able to speak English.

“My family struggled and nothing about my life suggested that one day, I would be a lawyer or that I would serve in the New Jersey General Assembly,” she said. “What changed everything was education. It opened the doors that would have stayed locked. Stockton was not simply a school for me, it was a turning point. This university was a place where I learned how to think, how to speak up, how to trust my own voice.

“This place gave me the tools and the confidence needed to step into the world.”

Sara Faurot, director of Alumni Relations, said Ramirez’s leadership has consistently amplified community voices and improved lives.

“Jessica exemplifies the highest ideals of Stockton’s mission and the enduring legacy of public engagement championed by the late congressman (Hughes),” she said. “Her example inspires current and future generations of Stockton students to lead with courage, integrity and purpose.”

Distinctive Student Leadership Award

As a Ukraine native who graduated from high school in Michigan and then came to Stockton, Vasylyk said he never thought he would end up on stage accepting an award for his work in the Stockton Student Senate and as a leader on campus. He said he came to campus anxious about fitting in and worried that he would be too different.

“I view this honor certainly as a recognition of my work, but in many ways also a vote of confidence, an expectation for further excellence in public service, the expectation that I really hope to live up to,” he said. “I will forever be grateful to this community for allowing me to flourish into the person that I am today by embracing the one I’ve always been.”

Associate Professor of Political Science Lauren Balasco said from his first moment on campus Vasylyk has sought to understand “the forces that shock our political systems, shift our societies and shape our humanity.”

“Through his academic excellence, dedicated work ethic and steadfast commitment to Democratic principles, Vlad embodies the highest ideals of leadership and engaged citizenship,” she said.

— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen

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