The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University recently honored one of its founders, Edward H. Salmon, as part of its biennial honors ceremony.
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 Nov. 13 ceremony acknowledged five outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their field.
The 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; Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32), a Stockton alumna who is an attorney at D’Arcy Johnson Day; and Vlad Vasylyk, a Stockton junior Political Science major with a concentration in International Affairs and a minor in Global Studies.
Stockton President Joe Bertolino saluted the honorees and the work of the Hughes Center.
“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,” Bertolino 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 emcee for the awards, which included:
Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Civility in Government and Politics Award: Edward Salmon
During his 26 years as an elected official, whether as 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, vice chair of the Hughes Center Advisory Board and VP of Business Development, Government and External Affairs at New Jersey American Water.
Salmon also served six years on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, including three as its president. He spent decades in business and industry and founded four successful companies in New Jersey. And he also 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. “His impact is multigenerational, and he has helped develop and nurture young people into contributing members of our community.”
Before presenting Salmon with his award, Tolson announced 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: Christina Renna
Renna began working at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey in 2007 when she was 26.
“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 policymakers, 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: Cassie Iacovelli
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 was the organization's executive director 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.
Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award: Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez
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 age 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: Vlad Vasylyk
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.
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.
Photo Caption: (L-R) Jessica Ramirez, Vlad Vasylyk, Joe Bertolino, Cassie Iacovelli, Christina M. Renna and Edward H. Salmon. – Photo courtesy of Stockton University.
