RIPPAC gala honors leaders, raises $100K for scholarships, programming

Political and civic leaders joined together for the first-ever gala fundraiser presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC). And while the event paid tribute to four distinguished leaders in politics and industry, the biggest winners were Rowan University students.

Altogether, the gala raised more than $100,000 for intern scholarships and civic programing for Rowan students, according to RIPPAC founding director Ben Dworkin.

“RIPPAC is in the business of workforce development for democracy,” Dworkin said. “We are preparing the next generation of community leaders while also raising the level of political discourse.

“The money raised by the gala will help RIPPAC expand its civic programming and scholarship programs for students who take on summer internships in politics, government or issue advocacy—almost all of which are unpaid. At RIPPAC, we believe no one should be denied a career-enhancing internship because of family income. The success of the gala will go a long way towards making that goal a reality.”

Honorees at the event, which was held earlier this month in Mount Laurel, included:

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

A group of dedicated Rowan alumni leaders helped lead the gala, including honorary chairs Sen. Jim Beach M’76, Sen. Fred Madden ’80, Assemblyman Bill Moen ’09 and Sen. Troy Singleton ’05. Beach, Madden, Moen and Singleton comprise all of the Rowan alumni currently elected to the New Jersey Legislature.

The gala’s alumni committee chairs included Bridget Anderson ’93, Chrissy Buteas ’04, Jeannine LaRue ’74, Brittany Wheeler ’14 and Adam Zellner ’92.

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.