Press Releases 2011

New Jersey Hall Of Fame Announces 50 Nominees For Class Of 2012

NEWARK, NJ (October 11, 2011) – Entertainment legends, inventors, sports heroes, artists, a Vice President and a President comprise some of the 50 great New Jerseyans nominated for the fifth class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame which was made public on Tuesday. While there are a few relatively unknown nominees, much of the list includes some big names and a few surprises.

In the Historical Category, which is for deceased Jerseyans whose accomplishments transcend any particular category, perennial nominee President Grover Cleveland is joined by Thomas Jefferson’s Vice President and controversial Founding Father Aaron Burr. The list also includes Revolutionary War luminaries Thomas Paine, Richard Stockton and Molly Pitcher. Activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Irene Hill Smith are also included along with the first female film director Alice Guy Blaché, rodeo star Annie Oakley and biochemist Selman Waksman.

The Arts & Entertainment Category is filled with household names including actors Alan Alda, Christopher Reeve and Michael Douglas. The E Street Band marks the first group to be nominated to the Hall along with legendary musical stars Celia Cruz, Connie Francis, Dionne Warwick, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughn. Multi-talented Mr. New Jersey Joe Piscopo rounds out the list.

The Enterprise Category includes scientists, business leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and leaders in medicine. This year’s nominees feature former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, chef Alice Waters, and inventors Alfred Vail, David Sarnoff and chemist John Dorrance. Others in this category include Dr. James Still, Elizabeth Coleman White, John Roebling and Mary Roebling. Publishing giant Samuel I. Newhouse completes the roster of nominees in this category.

New Jersey has long been home to great sports figures and this year’s list of nominees reminds us what a fertile training ground the state has been for those in the sports world. Coaches Bill Parcells and Bob Hurley, Giants owner Wellington Mara, broadcasting icons Dick Vitale and Ed Sabol are known around the world for their impact in their respective fields, but there are also superb athletes on the list. Basketball star Carol Blazejowski, track star Mary Decker Slaney, football greats Milt Campbell and Rosy Grier, and baseball legend Monte Irvin are all remarkable individuals.

The largest category, General, is a broad category that includes educators, writers, poets, military leaders, scholars and more. The nominees this year include artists Alexander Calder, Alfred Stieglitz, Charles Addams, and Thomas Nast, philanthropist Doris Duke, economist Milton Friedman, writers Joyce Carol Oates and Dorothy Parker, scholar Dorothy Porter Wesley and Governor Tom Kean.

“We expanded our list of nominees this year because the people of New Jersey have nominated so many remarkable individuals over the past 12 months,” said John O’Brien, Chair of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Voting Committee and Director of the New Jersey Press Foundation. “As people study the candidates and decide how to vote, they will be learning about great role models who never gave up in the pursuit of their dreams.”

The annual Hall of Fame nomination process begins in the summer when a panel of experts, comprised of university professors, scientists, editors, authors and other authorities, reviews and evaluates a list of more than 230 potential Hall of Famers. That list, compiled from nominations made by the public and the experts, is presented to the Voting Academy, which is the voting steering committee for the Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy is made up of approximately 100 of the state’s most prominent organizations as well as former Governors. The Voting Academy then votes to determine the nominees in each category.

“Each year our list of nominees is indeed impressive,” said John Keegan, Chairman of the Charles Edison Fund and Chairman Emeritus of the Hall of Fame Foundation Board. “The people of our state should be proud of these individuals who have attained remarkable success. Schools around the state are using our Hall of Fame instructional units, created by teachers under the leadership of the NJEA and the Comcast Foundation to instruct students about New Jersey history, to develop leadership skills and to introduce the voting process using the NJHOF vote as the cornerstone of their lessons.”

Now through January, everyone can vote on-line at the Hall of Fame website which is www.NJHallofFame.org. With this call to vote, the Hall of Fame introduces a new look to the website, designed and maintained by SetNine, a Newark-based web development firm. In addition to a robust website, the NJHOF has an exhibit on the boardwalk in Asbury Park and plans to create a mobile museum which will take exhibits to schools and communities around the state.

“Education is the key to our mission,” said Marie Blistan, NJEA Treasurer and member of the Board of Commissioners. “With the construction of a mobile museum, we will be able to take the Hall of Fame to the people of New Jersey. Families can easily pay a visit to the trailer when it comes to their communities not only to teach their children about New Jersey history, but also to inspire them to excel.”

Although created through bipartisan unanimous legislation, the New Jersey Hall of Fame is supported exclusively though private donations. Major sponsors include J.H. Cohn, NJEA, Comcast and the Comcast Foundation, Charles Edison Fund, Johnson & Johnson and PNC Bank. Other major supporters include the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, BGIA, the Hess Corporation, the Horizon Foundation and the Edwards family.

Governor Chris Christie Announces New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2011

TRENTON, NJ (January 20, 2011) – Challenging young people to strive to pursue their dreams, Governor Chris Christie announced the newest class of inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame with legends and luminaries ranging from World War II hero John Basilone to superstar Queen Latifah.

At the program in the State Museum’s Auditorium, Governor Chris Christie unveiled 13 inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame, an impressive list of individuals hailing from all parts of the state. This year’s class included jazz greats Tony Bennett and Bucky Pizzarelli, business legends Leon Hess and Martha Stewart, football stars Joe Theisman and Franco Harris, best selling novelist Mary Higgins Clark and former Governor Brendan Byrne.

In addition to Basilone, World War II commander Admiral William “Bull” Halsey will be inducted along with two award winning actors, John Travolta and Bruce Willis.

Joining the Governor at the podium were Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Bart Oates, chairman of the NJHOF Board of Commissioners, Steven Edwards, president of the Hall of Fame Foundation Board, John Keegan, president of the Edison Innovation Foundation and Don Jay Smith, NJHOF Executive Director.

“As with our first three classes of inductees, this roster of New Jersey Hall of Famers is impressive,” said Bart Oates. “The people of our state should be proud of these individuals who have attained remarkable success through a combination of hard work and dedication. Our goal is for the Hall of Fame not only to serve as an inspiration for young people but to challenge them to pursue their dreams and become the best they can.”

Foundation Board President Steve Edwards announced that the Class of 2011 will be inducted at a gala red carpet ceremony on Sunday, June 5th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. “While tickets will not go on sale to the general public until March,” said Edwards, “sponsors and donors can sign up early through the website at www.NJHallofFame.org.”

Don Jay Smith announced that the NJHOF would be featured at the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Walk to Washington at the end of the month. “The public selected “We’re Jersey Proud” to be the new slogan for the Hall of Fame and we are very proud to be highlighted at the Chamber’s centennial celebration.”

Smith also announced that the Hall of Fame would begin work on a new teaching curriculum in partnership with the NJEA. It will focus on introducing students to the voting process and providing them with skills to become more informed voters. “This new program furthers our mission to inspire and educate young people,” said Smith, “and we hope to introduce it in the fall.”

The NJEA, PNC Bank and the consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP have taken the lead in providing support for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Additional major sponsors include Comcast, Johnson & Johnson, BGIA and the Edison Innovation Foundation.

New Jersey Hall of Fame to Induct Local Resident

NEWARK, NJ (March 31, 2011) Spring Lake resident Mary Higgins Clark will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at a gala red carpet ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark in June. Ms. Clark is one of this country’s most popular suspense and mystery writers whose more than 40 bestselling novels have sold more than 80 million books in a career that spans four decades.

The Spring Lake resident joins 13 great New Jerseyans in an impressive class of inductees that includes World War II hero John Basilone, superstar Queen Latifah, jazz greats Tony Bennett and Bucky Pizzarelli, business legends Leon Hess and Martha Stewart, football stars Joe Theisman and Franco Harris, War II commander Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, former Governor Brendan Byrne, and two award winning actors, John Travolta and Bruce Willis.

The ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 5th at Newark’s NJPAC with red carpet festivities beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. For those who purchase the full ticket package, there will be a party with the inductees and other special guests following the performance.

“Our induction ceremonies are incredible events,” said Don Jay Smith, Executive Director of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “In addition to our esteemed inductees, we always have many special surprise guests. Plus our stage band, LaBamba and the Hubcaps, remains one of New Jersey’s best party bands and they keep everyone dancing in their seats.”
Ticket packages which include valet parking, red carpet access, prime seating and the after party are on sale through the New Jersey Hall of Fame website at www.NJHallofFame.org for a price of $250.00. Individual tickets to the ceremony range in price from $50.00 to $20.00 and may be purchased through the NJPAC Box Office at www.NJPAC.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722). NJPAC is located at One Center Street in Newark.

The NJEA, PNC Bank and the consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP have taken the lead in providing support for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Additional major sponsors include Comcast, Johnson & Johnson, BGIA, Continental Airlines and the Edison Innovation Foundation.

New Jersey Hall of Fame to Honor Jersey Legends and 9/11 Victims

NEWARK, NJThe New Jersey Hall of Fame will honor 13 Jersey legends at the 4th Annual Red Carpet Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 5th at NJPAC in Newark. The ceremony celebrates the induction of an impressive class of great New Jerseyans including bestselling suspense and mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark, World War II hero John Basilone, superstar Queen Latifah, jazz greats Tony Bennett and Bucky Pizzarelli, business legend Leon Hess, football stars Joe Theismann and Franco Harris, World War II commander Admiral William “Bull” Halsey and former Governor Brendan Byrne.

Three of this year’s inductees are not able to attend and have asked that their inductions be rescheduled for the 2012 ceremony, slated for June 3, 2012. Martha Stewart is out of the country and unable to return and actors John Travolta and Bruce Willis are on locations completing films which have run over schedule.

The ceremony will also honor the memory of the 746 9/11 victims from New Jersey with a special presentation of the Hall of Fame’s Unsung Hero Award. Representatives from the New Jersey 9/11 Memorial Foundation will accept on behalf of the families of those who lost their lives as the result of the attack.

“It is appropriate that the Hall of Fame remember the New Jersey victims as we recognize the ten year anniversary of this terrible day,” said Steve Edwards, Executive Producer of the event. “We are honoring several heroes this year and those victims and first responders deserve our recognition.”

The red carpet festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. and the ceremony will start at 5:30 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by LaBamba and the Hubcaps who will be joined by Southside Johnny and the incomparable Jersey girl group, The Shirelles. Bucky Pizzarelli will also perform following his induction.

Tickets to the ceremony range in price from $50.00 to $20.00 and may be purchased through the NJPAC Box Office at www.NJPAC.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722). NJPAC is located at One Center Street in Newark.

PNC Bank, the NJEA, Comcast and the consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP have taken the lead in providing support for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Additional major sponsors include the Horizon Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, BGIA, Continental Airlines and the Edison Innovation Foundation.

New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets Now on Sale

NEWARK, NJ The New Jersey Hall of Fame has announced that tickets to attend the 2011 Red Carpet Induction Ceremony are now on sale. The 4th annual ceremony celebrates the induction of an impressive class of 13 great New Jerseyans including bestselling suspense and mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark, World War II hero John Basilone, superstar Queen Latifah, jazz greats Tony Bennett and Bucky Pizzarelli, business legends Leon Hess and Martha Stewart, football stars Joe Theismann and Franco Harris, World War II commander Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, former Governor Brendan Byrne, and two award winning actors, John Travolta and Bruce Willis.

The ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 5th at Newark’s NJPAC with red carpet festivities beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by LaBamba and the Hubcaps plus surprise guests. For those who purchase the full ticket package, there will be a party with the inductees and other special guests following the performance.

“Our induction ceremonies have been filled with surprises,” said NJHOF executive director and ceremony co-producer Don Jay Smith. “Whether it was General David Petraeus presenting our Unsung Hero Award in 2009, or Bruce Springsteen and Danny DeVito singing “Glory Days” at last year’s show, the audience has come to expect the unexpected. We are sure that this year’s event will again be an historic tribute to the pride of New Jersey. It has become one of the must-see shows of the year.”

Ticket packages which include valet parking, red carpet access, prime seating and a post-ceremony dinner are on sale through the New Jersey Hall of Fame website at www.NJHallofFame.org for a price of $250.00. Individual tickets to the ceremony range in price from $50.00 to $20.00 and may be purchased through the NJPAC Box Office at www.NJPAC.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722). NJPAC is located at One Center Street in Newark.

PNC Bank, the NJEA and the consulting and accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP have taken the lead in providing support for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Additional major sponsors include Comcast, Johnson & Johnson, BGIA, Continental Airlines and the Edison Innovation Foundation.