South Jerseyan of the Year Awards Announced at Rutgers-Camden

For Immediate Release

CAMDEN --  Three prominent southern New Jersey citizens will be honored by the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers—Camden for their leadership contributions to the region during a special ceremony on Thursday, June 5.

The seventh annual Senator Walter and Leah Rand South Jerseyan of the Year Awards will be presented to Tom Paparone, president of Paparone Housing; Martha Chavis, executive director of WELCOME New Jersey; and U.S. Congressman Jim Saxton (R., NJ-3).

In keeping with the legacy of the late Senator Walter Rand and his wife, Leah, the awards applaud regional growth, service, and identity.

According to Richard Harris, a professor of political science at Rutgers—Camden and WRI director, “It’s important for South Jersey to think and act regionally if we hope to balance our competing desires for growth with the preservation of the quality of life that makes South Jersey such an attractive place to live.  Through research and public service the Senator Walter Rand Institute seeks to bring together citizens, policy makers and the resources of Rutgers University-Camden to advance these goals.”

The honorees were selected on the basis of their efforts to promote regional approaches to growth and exemplary service in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

The awards will be presented during the annual “Celebrating South Jersey” event to be held at the Camden County Boathouse in Pennsauken during 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 5.  For more information, contact Tracy Swan at the Sen. Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers—Camden, at (856) 225-6705 or via email.

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