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The New Jersey Hall of Fame and its family of supporters mourn the passing of one of our earliest supporters and the First Head of the NJHOF Liaison Team, Jerry Barry.
Jerry was one of a kind and universally loved by all that came into contact with him.
His contributions to the New Jersey Hall of Fame will never be forgotten.
Pictured: Board of Trustees President Steve Edwards alongside Jerry Barry at the 1st NJHOF Induction Ceremony.
Who belongs in the New Jersey Hall of Fame?
The New Jersey Hall of Fame, along with its lead sponsor, Hackensack Meridian Health, and the New Jersey Education Association, want your students to participate in the decision-making process. New Jersey public school students are invited to participate in the N.J. Hall of Fame Essay Contest. Students are asked to nominate potential inductees – living or dead – to the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Nominations can include famous people as well as ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things. Students should research or interview, if possible, the person they wish to nominate and write an essay no longer than 500 words.
Essays must be typed and double-spaced. The student must include his/her name, age, grade level as of April 1, 2021, address, phone number, parent/guardian’s name, school name, and school district. If the essay is a school project, the student should also include the name of the teacher who assigned the activity. Nominations must be postmarked by April 1, 2021, to be eligible. Send entries to NJ Hall of Fame Contest, Dawn Hiltner, 1411 S. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, or email dhiltner@njea.org with NJHOF Essay Contest in the subject line.
Entries will be divided into two age categories: Intermediate (grades 4 through 8) and High School (grades 9-12). Entries will be judged by a panel comprised of NJEA and New Jersey Hall of Fame representatives. Winners will be notified by June 1, 2021. The winning students will be invited to participate in the Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony scheduled for October 2021, which will be televised on My9NJ.
The winning students’ nominations will be forwarded to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Academy for consideration in 2022. The Academy, comprised of 100 of New Jersey’s most prominent organizations, ethnic groups and media outlets, will review nominees and ultimately select Hall of Fame nominees to be put forth for the public vote in the fall. NJEA serves on the Voting Academy.
Legislation to create The New Jersey Hall of Fame passed unanimously in the in the Legislature and was signed into law by the governor in 2005. The New Jersey Hall of Fame has been created to honor our sons and daughters who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame seeks to send a message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models, the Hall of Fame Museum, when built, will be a source of learning, inspiration and hope for all New Jersey children.
For more information about the New Jersey Hall of Fame, visit www.njhalloffame.org.
Both a champion for revitalizing his New Jersey community and a creative entrepreneur with a pioneering spirit, Imperatore ignored skeptics who derided his vision of a mass transit system to achieve his dreams. Today, his ferry system has done much more than transport nearly 300 million people, having evacuated more than 150,000 people from Manhattan on 9/11 and rescued 143 people from Flight 1547 during the Miracle on the Hudson.
True to his NJHOF Induction Speech in 2017 when he reflected on telling God he had “a lot left to do,” Imperatore remained active in his roles as a businessman, philanthropist, veteran, and family-man until his passing on November 18, 2020.
NEWARK (September 10, 2020) – After an extensive search, the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) Board of Directors announces the appointment of New Jersey native Jim Roberts to serve as the first Executive Director and lead the non-profit into its next phase of growth as it continues to inspire New Jersey citizens by upholding its native heroes.
“We wanted a proven leader in the world of non-profit management, someone who could help us reach our own potential,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF. “Jim has a successful history in non-profit organization management and he’s highly skilled in event management, media relations, philanthropy, and fundraising.”
Jim Roberts previously served as the Executive Director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) New York City Chapter, one of the nation’s largest. Prior to LLS, Roberts served as the Executive Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for Northern New Jersey and Rockland/Orange Counties (NY). Roberts served as the President of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s New Jersey Metro Chapter, one of the largest chapters in the country. Roberts has also served as the Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) northern New Jersey affiliate, which encompasses central and northern New Jersey, northeastern Pennsylvania, and Staten Island, NY, ADA’s fourth-largest market in the country. Prior to joining the ADA, Roberts served as Vice President of the Atlantic City LPG Benefit Association (ACLPGBA), which staged the widely popular ShopRite LPGA Classic, one of the top tournaments on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. Roberts began his career at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ) in 1984 and spent nearly 19 years at the state’s leading health insurer.
Roberts has been honored to serve on various boards of directors, including Fairleigh Dickinson’s Center for Excellence in Leadership, Governance & Philanthropy, ADA’s Community Leadership Board, Special Olympics New Jersey, ACLPGBA, The First Tee of Greater Atlantic City and Integrity House. He was also appointed to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports where he was a leadership volunteer under NY Giants legendary linebacker and Council Executive Director Harry Carson.
“In these challenging times, we also wanted someone who shares our deep passion for inspiring our next generation to be their best,” says NJHOF President Steve Edwards. “I’ve known Jim for a long time, and I know he wants to see that everyone is inspired to achieve their own ‘Arete’: the Greek concept of realizing one’s full potential.”
The NJHOF engaged DHR International, a leading provider in executive search solutions, to handle the search.
NEWARK (August 5, 2020) – The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) has announced who the inductees are for the incoming Class of 2019-2020 – a who’s who of some of the Garden State’s best and brightest.
The 12th annual induction ceremony will be a 1-hour virtual pre-recorded ceremony that will take place on Sunday, October 18th, 2020, and will be broadcast on several television, radio and prominent social media platforms throughout New Jersey. The Class of 2019-2020’s Unsung Hero will be announced in early October.
“These Garden State heroes perfectly represent what makes our state great,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF. “It’s our privilege to honor these inductees for their outstanding contributions to our state.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2019-2020 is (with occupation, name, N.J. town):
| Arts & Letters: | Public Service: |
| Charles Addams*, Westfield, Cartoonist and creator of The Addams Family | Dr. Virginia Apgar*, Westfield, Anesthesiologist and inventor of the Apgar Score |
| Stephen Crane*, Newark, Author of The Red Badge of Courage | Sister Jane Brady, Paterson, Former president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health |
| Joyce Kilmer*, New Brunswick, Journalist, literary critic and poet best known for “Trees” | General Martin Dempsey, Bayonne, Former Army general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA Basketball chair |
| Fran Lebowitz, Morristown, World-renowned author and public speaker | Alfred Driscoll*, Haddonfield, 43rd Governor of New Jersey and president of Warner-Lambert |
| Mort Pye*, Tewksbury, 31-year editor of The Star-Ledger | Milton Friedman*, Rahway, Noble Prize-winning economist |
| Enterprise: | Sports: |
| The Borg Family, Hackensack, Former owners and publishers of The Record | Rick Barry, Roselle Park, NBA player named one of 50 greatest in history |
| Linda Bowden, East Brunswick, N.J. regional president at PNC Bank and N.J. Chamber of Commerce board chair | Gerry Cooney, Fanwood, Two-time boxing heavyweight contender |
| Fairleigh Dickinson*, Rutherford, Co-Founder of Fortune 500 company Becton Dickinson, benefactor of Fairleigh Dickinson University | Eli Manning, Summit, Former NY Giant quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP |
| Steve Kalafer, Flemington, Chairman of the Flemington Car and Truck Country Family of Brands | Robert Mulcahy, III, Mendham, Former athletic director of Rutgers University |
| Joseph Simunovich*, West New York, Former Hudson County freeholder director and chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority | Vivian Stringer, Piscataway, Head coach of the Rutgers University women’s basketball team |
| Arts & Entertainment: |
| Danny Aiello*, Ramsey, Academy Award-nominated actor |
| John Amos, Newark, Roots and Good Times actor |
| Ed Harris, Tenafly, Multiple award-winning actor |
| Cissy Houston, Newark, Grammy Award-winning soul and gospel singer |
| Ernie Kovacs*, Trenton, Emmy Award-winning and influential comedian, actor and writer |
| The Nelson Family (Ozzie, Harriet, Ricky, David)*, Jersey City, Stars of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet |
| Flip Wilson*, Jersey City, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning host of The Flip Wilson Show, comedian and actor |
*-Being honored posthumously.
In the case of someone who has been selected for the Hall but not inducted due to not being able to attend a previous ceremony, the NJHOF may add to the list of inductees prior to the Oct. 18 ceremony.
ABOUT THE NJHOF: The Foundation for New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization honoring citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 10 ceremonies for over 140 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present schoolchildren with significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the support of its many sponsors, without which none of our endeavors would be possible. For more information, go to www.njhalloffame.org.
Tickets are now sold out for the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s 11th annual star-studded red carpet induction ceremony which will be held Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, from 7-9:30 pm at the Paramount Theatre on the famed Jersey Shore boardwalk.
Proceeds from the event, which will cap off the Hall’s capital campaign, are to benefit the NJHOF’s permanent museum at the American Dream complex in East Rutherford. Download FAQ’s about the ceremony and sponsorship opportunities here.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame 2018 Class is (with occupation, name, N.J. town):
UNSUNG HERO: To be announced in early October.
*- Previously selected and being inducted in 2019. **-Being honored posthumously
All living inductees are scheduled to attend the ceremony at the Paramount, which is part of the Asbury Park Convention Hall complex. Announcement of musical performers for the star-studded induction is to be made in early October.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame is excited to announce that our media partner NJ.com will be live streaming the NJHOF’s 11th Annual Red Carpet Induction Ceremony beginning at 7:00pm on Sunday, October 27th, 2019. Now you won’t have to miss a single red carpet moment with your favorite New Jersey celebrities or a note of the star-studded musical acts that make the induction ceremony so memorable.
This year’s event honors 19 of New Jersey’s most distinguished citizens as they are officially inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, the highest civilian honor bestowed by our state. Over 1500 inductees, special guests, sponsors, and members of the media will be in attendance for one of New Jersey’s premiere evenings.
Hits $10M mark in fund-raising for permanent museum at the Meadowlands
Governor Phil Murphy recently announced who the inductees are for the incoming class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) – a who’s who of some of the Garden State’s best and brightest.
The class will be inducted Sunday, Oct. 27, during the 11th annual gala ceremony at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Tickets are to go on sale in early September.
“Even with our long and celebrated history – one of the original 13 colonies, the home of innovation, and where the first baseball and college football games were played – we continue to change the world,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jerseyans don’t rest on our laurels. We just keep reaching higher.”
The governor also thanked the Hall of Fame’s supporters and donors from a host of business, union, civic and philanthropic organizations during the announcement at Newark airport, which features several NJHOF displays.
During the ceremony, Hall of Fame chairman Jon F. Hanson announced that the NJHOF has reached $10 million in the fund-raising campaign for its permanent museum at the American Dream entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford. The museum is scheduled to open in December 2020.
“I’m just so happy to see that here, in New Jersey, we’re recognizing people who either worked in New Jersey or were born in New Jersey,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF.
NJHOF president Steve Edwards said he is looking forward to the Hall’s newest class being inducted Oct. 27.
“This is the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed upon one of our citizens,” said Steve Edwards, president of the NJHOF. “It’s going to be another great night for the New Jersey Hall of Fame and the state of New Jersey.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame 2018 Class is (with occupation, name, N.J. town):
UNSUNG HERO: To be announced in early October.
*- Previously selected, and being inducted in 2019. **-Being honored posthumously
In the case of someone who has been selected for the Hall but not inducted due to he/she not being able to attend a previous ceremony, the NJHOF may add to the list of inductees prior to the Oct. 27 gala.
Sponsorships are available now. Click here to download Sponsorship Information.
The 11thth annual induction ceremony for the New Jersey Hall of Fame will be held Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, from 7-9:30 pm at the Paramount Theatre on the famed Jersey Shore boardwalk.
Proceeds from the event, which will cap off the Hall’s capital campaign, are to benefit the NJHOF’s permanent museum at the American Dream complex in East Rutherford. Tickets for the induction will be available on the NJHOF website after Labor Day.
“The ceremony honoring our 2019 class is both a celebration of the inductees’ achievements and a celebration of New Jersey,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF. “We also are pleased that proceeds from the induction will benefit our permanent museum at American Dream.”
The Hall of Fame expects to announce its incoming class on April 30; the inductees were elected in late 2018 in a process that included the public voting. All living inductees are scheduled to attend the ceremony at the Paramount, which is part of the Asbury Park Convention Hall complex. Announcement of musical performers for the star-studded induction is to be made in June.
“Our 11th annual induction ceremony will be a celebration of another stellar class of Jersey legends, and the culmination of our $10 million capital campaign,” says Steve Edwards, president of the NJHOF.
In otherNew Jersey Hall of Fame news:
The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) has announced 50 nominees in five categories for its Class of 2018: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts, Public Service, and Sports.
The 11th class of inductees will be announced in January, and the induction ceremony will take place in May of 2019.
“Since 2008, we have inducted a broad spectrum of New Jersey heroes into the Hall of Fame,” said Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF. “This year’s class of nominees strongly reflect the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments that have characterized the hall of fame since its inception.”
“We’re honored to carry on our longstanding tradition of promoting the best that New Jersey has to offer,” said Steve Edwards, president of the NJHOF. “I’m continuously amazed by the wealth of role models that our state produces, and proud that we have the opportunity to bring recognition to those who truly deserve it.”
The public is encouraged to visit the NJ Hall of Fame website to cast their vote for a nominee in each of the five categories listed below. Full biographies of the nominees, as well as online voting, can be found here.
ARTS & LETTERS
Peter Benchley, author and ocean activist, known for writing the novel “Jaws”; Stephen Crane, author of “Red Badge of Courage”; Joyce Kilmer, journalist and poet, author of Trees; Fran Lebowitz, author, known for social commentary on American life; Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author, aviator, and wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh; George R.R. Martin, author, best known for his series of epic fantasy novels, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” later adapted into the television series “Game of Thrones”; John Forbes Nash, Jr., mathematician and fundamental contributor to game theory, differential geometry and the study of partial differential equations; George Segal, actor, nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”; Gay Talese, writer, penned famous articles about Joe DiMaggio and Frank Sinatra; and Timothy White, photographer of celebrities ranging from Julia Roberts to Outkast.
ENTERPRISE
Anthony Bourdain, celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian, starred in programs focusing on the exploration of international culture and cuisine; James E. Burke, CEO of Johnson & Johnson; Leonard S. Coleman, Jr., last president of baseball’s National League; J. Fletcher Creamer, Sr., chief executive officer of J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc.; Fred Morgan Kirby, served as chairman and chief executive of the Alleghany Corporation, transformed company’s specialty from railroad holdings to insurance and investment; Tim McLoone, founder and president of Holiday Express; Denise Morrison, former president and chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Company; Dr. Victor Parsonnet, cardiac surgeon who contributed significantly to the evolution of cardiac pacemaking; Mary G. Roebling, first woman to serve as president of a major U.S. bank; Arthur F. Ryan, businessman and first outsider to become chief executive officer of Prudential Insurance; and George R. Zoffinger, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
PERFORMING ARTS
Danny Aiello, actor, earned nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Do the Right Thing”; Jason Alexander, actor, known for his role as George Costanza in the television series “Seinfeld”; Peter Dinklage, actor, portrays Tyrion Lannister on the television series “Game of Thrones”; Whoopi Goldberg, actress, comedian, television host, and won an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award; Anne Hathaway, actress, winner of Academy Award for Best Actress for role in “Les Misérables”; Ed Harris, three-time nominee for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Apollo 13,” “The Truman Show,” and “The Hours”; Chris Rock, comedian, actor, winner of four Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards; Patti Smith, singer-songwriter, poet, fused rock and poetry in work; The Smithereens, rock band that has headlined New Jersey stages from the Meadowlands Arena to the State Theatre; and Phoebe Snow, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, known for 1975 song “Poetry Man.”
PUBLIC SERVICE
Samuel Alito, Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; Elizabeth Almira Allen, teachers’ rights advocate, first woman president of the New Jersey Education Association; Virginia Apgar, obstetrical anesthesiologist, inventor of the Apgar score; Alfred Driscoll, 43rd governor of New Jersey, former Republican New Jersey senator representing Camden County, and president of Warner-Lambert; Louis Freeh, attorney and former judge who served as the fifth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Milton Friedman, economist, winner of 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, advisor to President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Antonin Scalia, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was longest-serving Justice on the Court; Richard Stockton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court and namesake of Stockton University; Paul Volcker, economist, chairman of the Federal Reserve under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan; and Theodore V. “Ted” Wells, attorney, partner at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, represents range of high-profile clients.
SPORTS
Rick Barry, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in History by the NBA; G. Harry Carson, New York Giants star inside linebacker, helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI; Gerry Cooney, former star professional boxer; Anne Donovan, women’s basketball player and coach, won two Olympic gold medals, first woman to coach a WNBA Championship Team; Laurie Hernandez, gymnast, winner of two Olympic medals in 2016 Summer Olympics; Jerry Izenberg, sports journalist with The Newark Star- Ledger, known for covering many memorable sporting events and figures of the late Twentieth century; John McMullen, sports columnist for GetMoreSports.com, NFL Insider for ESPN South Jersey; Bart Oates, football player for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler; David Stern, former commissioner of the NBA; and Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the NFL.