A Successful Walter and Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner
May 6, 2025
On April 29, the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden (WRI) hosted the 23rd annual Walter and Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner. We had the pleasure of honoring the 2025 South Jerseyans of the Year – the Domenica Foundation, Judith Persichilli, and Liz Thomas. All three honorees have contributed so much to our region, and we were honored to recognize their achievements with so many friends and colleagues in attendance. Along with the night’s awards, the Camden County Commissioners and Camden County government prepared official proclamations for each of the honorees to further recognize their important contributions to South Jersey.
In addition to celebrating our honorees, event proceeds continue to support the students that work with WRI, and the numerous undergraduate and graduate student fellowships, scholarships, and South Jersey community-based research, teaching, and training initiatives at the Institute. We took time to congratulate the many students that make WRI’s work so impactful. This year’s event was also made extra special as we celebrated 25 years of the Institute – which we acknowledged with a toast, a raffle, and a commemorative video telling WRI’s story and impact in the region over a quarter century.
It was a wonderful evening – where we celebrated South Jersey, the South Jerseyans of the Year, and the work of the Walter Rand Institute. With over 300 attendees who contributed to a sold out event, we caught up with old friends and made some new ones, as well. Thank you to all who made the time to attend and a very special thank you to all of our event sponsors.
The planning for next year’s event will soon be underway. We look forward to seeing you next year!
About the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers–Camden has been a long-standing and trusted regional community partner for over 25 years. WRI honors former Senator Rand’s dedication to Southern New Jersey and exists to produce and highlight community-focused research and evaluation leading to sound public policy and practice in the region. With that as a foundation, WRI convenes and engages stakeholders in making the connections across research, policy, and practice in support of Camden City and Southern New Jersey residents. Using social science research methods, WRI specializes in transforming data into actionable information across a variety of areas, including workforce development, education, transportation, and public/population health. WRI reinforces and amplifies Rutgers’ research, teaching, and service goals by connecting the multidisciplinary expertise of faculty to regional problems, developing research and professional skills in students, and linking the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.