From left: Honoree Jessica Ramirez '98, honoree Vlad Vasylyk, Stockton President Joe Bertolino, honoree Cassie Iacovelli, honoree Christina M. Renna and honoree Edward H. Salmon. - courtesy Susan Allen / Stockton University

The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University honored one of its founders earlier this month 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.

The event acknowledged outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their field. The event also recognized its honorees for a commitment to public service, civility and bipartisanship. 

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.”

Edward H. Salmon served as the mayor of Millville, a Cumberland County freeholder and a state assemblyman. He also spent 27 years in business and industry and founded four successful companies in New Jersey. Salmon also spent 27 years in the Millville public schools as a teacher, basketball coach and administrator. 

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