16th Annual Walter and Leah Rand Dinner – Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs

WRI Staff: WRI Staff

WRI’s dedicated and talented staff gathered before a night of celebration and fellowship
Scotland Run Golf Course: Scotland Run Golf Course

The 16th Annual Walter and Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner was hosted in Williamstown, NJ
2017 South Jersyans of the Year: 2017 South Jersyans of the Year

Pictured: Joseph Derella, Public Sector Awardee, Jennifer Hansen, Not-for-profit Sector Awardee, Dr. Kris Singh, Private Sector Awardee
A Warm Welcome: A Warm Welcome

Carolyn Heckman, WRI Advisory Board Chair, welcomes the evenings’ crowd
Jennifer Hansen (Not-for-profit Sector Awardee) and Father: Jennifer Hansen (Not-for-profit Sector Awardee) and Father

Jennifer Hansen (Not-for-profit Sector) embraces her father, Roger Hansen, as he presents her award to great applause
WRI Staff Enjoying the Evening: WRI Staff Enjoying the Evening

Pictured: Bessy Gallicchio, Student Program Assistant, and Angelyce Purnell, Project Coordinator
Master of Ceremonies: Master of Ceremonies

The Honorable Louis Greenwald, Assembly Majority Leader, 6th Legislative District, recollects stories about Senator Walter Rand and his wife, Leah
A Fourth Awardee: A Fourth Awardee

Gwendolyn Harris, WRI Executive Director, shares comments with the crowd after receiving a special South Jerseyan of the Year award
Not-for-profit Sector Awardee – Jennifer Hansen: Not-for-profit Sector Awardee – Jennifer Hansen

Pictured: Carolyn Heckman, WRI Advisory Board Chair, Gwendolyn Harris, WRI Executive Director, Roger Hansen, CEO of Ole Hansen & Sons, Inc. Jennifer Hansen, Founder of The Hansen Foundation, and Phoebe Haddon, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden
Public Sector Awardee – Joseph Derella: Public Sector Awardee – Joseph Derella

Pictured: Carolyn Heckman, WRI Advisory Board Chair, Gwendolyn Harris, WRI Executive Director, Dr. Edward Salmon, Chairman of Salmon Ventures LTD, Joseph Derella Freeholder Director of Cumberland County, and Phoebe Haddon, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden
Private Sector Awardee – Dr. Kris Singh: Private Sector Awardee – Dr. Kris Singh

Pictured: Carolyn Heckman, WRI Advisory Board Chair, Gwendolyn Harris, WRI Executive Director, Thomas Marcille, Vice President of Holtec International, Dr. Kris Singh, President and CEO of Holtec International, and Phoebe Haddon, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden
WRI Advisory Board: WRI Advisory Board

The event was supported and attended by every member of WRI’s Advisory Board
Not-for-profit Sector Awardee – Jennifer Hansen: Not-for-profit Sector Awardee – Jennifer Hansen

Jennifer Hansen’s South Jerseyan of the Year award was presented to her by her father, Roger Hansen
Public Sector Awardee – Joseph Derella: Public Sector Awardee – Joseph Derella

Joseph Derella’s South Jerseyan of the Year award was presented to him by long-time friend Dr. Edward Salmon
Private Sector Awardee – Dr. Kris Singh: Private Sector Awardee – Dr. Kris Singh

Dr. Kris Singh’s South Jerseyan of the Year award was presented to him by his friend and co-worker Thomas Marcille
Connecting Rutgers-Camden to the South Jersey Community: Connecting Rutgers-Camden to the South Jersey Community

Chancellor Phoebe Haddon shares stories with a few of the evenings’ distinguished guests
WRI Student Graduates: WRI Student Graduates

Pictured: Michael Zier, Matthew Galey, Gwendolyn Harris, Brian Slusarz, Celestina Anino, and Jorge Carvalho-Pereira

On May 4th, 2017, WRI held its 16th Annual Walter and Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner. The event was held at Scotland Run Golf Club, with over 170 people in attendance and nearly $57,000 raised. Vice President Thomas Marcille presented the South Jerseyan of the Year – Private Sector award to Dr. Kris Singh, President and CEO, Holtec International. Roger Hansen, CEO of Ole Hansen & Sons and father of the honoree, presented the South Jerseyan of the Year – Not-for-Profit Sector award to Jennifer Harnsen, Founder and Chairperson, The Hansen Foundation. Dr. Edward Salmon, Chairman, Salmon Ventures LTD, presented the South Jerseyan of the Year – Public Sector award to Joseph Derella, Freeholder Director, Cumberland County.

The event began with a cocktail reception, where WRI students skillfully networked with respected figures in the South Jersey community. Chairwoman of WRI’s Advisory Board, Carolyn Heckman, welcomed the crowd and introduced Phoebe Haddon, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden, who spoke about the Walter Rand Institute and its impact on students, the campus, and the region. Master of Ceremonies, the Honorable Louis Greenwald, Assembly Majority Leader, 6th Legislative District, spoke about Walter Rand Institute’s recent research report: Is South Jersey Getting Its “Fair Share” of Public Goods?. After Majority Leader Greenwald’s presentation, WRI’s Executive Director, Gwendolyn L. Harris, gave an update on the Institute including its recent growth and burgeoning impact in the fields of population health, criminal justice and safety, and community and organizational development.

After the awards presentation, the Honorable Judge Charles Rand spoke about his father’s legacy. At close of the event, WRI Advisory Board Chairwoman Carolyn Heckman called all WRI staff and students to the podium and presented Gwendolyn Harris with an award for her exemplary leadership and 10-year tenure with the Walter Rand Institute.

Tags: event, scholarship, south jerseyan awards