Coughlin, Norton, Redd and Bennett to be honored at spring RIPPAC Gala

Four civic leaders will be honored as the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship hosts its first RIPPAC Gala in the spring.

Honorees at the March 10 event will include:

• New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, who will receive the RIPPAC Leadership Award;
• New Jersey American Water Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Norton, who will accept the RIPPAC Corporate Citizenship Award;
• Camden Community Partnership and CEO Dana Redd, who will receive the RIPPAC Community Service Award; and
• New Jersey Hospital Association President and CEO Cathy Bennett, who will accept the RIPPAC Visionary Award.

The gala, which will be held at the Westin Hotel in Mount Laurel, will raise funds for RIPPAC’s successful internship scholarship programs and civic programming.

“It’s a great honor to fete these four outstanding individuals at our inaugural RIPPAC Gala,” says Ben Dworkin, founding director of RIPPAC, founded five years ago at Rowan University.

“Their commitment to public service and to supporting the next generation of leadership in New Jersey sets an example for us all.”

Dworkin notes that most internships in politics, government and issue advocacy are unpaid.

“Far too many students have to sacrifice furthering their career aspirations because they can’t afford to take an unpaid internship. RIPPAC is committed to making it a little bit easier on these students and their families,” Dworkin says.

RIPPAC is dedicated to informing, engaging and training Rowan students, faculty and the public in politics, policy and citizen engagement. The institute hosts programs and guest speakers; supports students through academic and career development, internships and scholarships; and connects faculty and students from across the University with public entities to facilitate public policy research and discussion.

Ticket and sponsorship information for the RIPPAC Gala will be available soon.