On Wednesday, November 10, the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy held their annual Hughes Center Honors Awards. Executive Director of the Hughes Center, Dr. John Froonjian, hosted and coordinated the event that awarded members of the Stockton community and distinctive alumni for excellence in service. 

“This is the first Hughes Center Honors event that I’ve been involved with that is going to be held on the Stockton campus,” said Froonjian in a WLFR interview that aired before the event. “We give an award to a student leader, to an alumni leader […] we give our awards for civility in government.”

This year, those award recipients included NAACP student leader Danielle Combs for the Distinctive Student Leadership 

Award, Richard S. Dovey for the Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award, and the Honorable Steven P. Perskie for the Distinctive Lifetime Achievement Award. 

A particular emphasis on the contributions of hospital workers was one of the night’s highlights. The Excellence in Community Leadership Award included Atlanticare, Cape Regional Health System, Inspira Health, and Shore Medical Center. 

The legacy of William J. Hughes was a major aspect of the event. Dr. Edward H. Salmon, Chairman of Salmon Ventures who serves on the Steering Committee, introduced each award presenter. 

“I wanted everybody to know that all four of Bill and Nancy’s children are here with us,” said Salmon. 

Remembering the contributions of William J. Hughes was one of the many reasons why award recipients were honored for their 

achievements within the Stockton community.