Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Enagement Established at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School

Naming Ceremony for the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Speakers to include James W. Hughes, dean of the Bloustein School; opening remarks by Richard L. McCormick, president, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; John J. Heldrich, vice president for Corporate Affairs, Johnson & Johnson (retired); Scott Voorhees, co-benefactor, Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement; Joseph J. Seneca, university professor, Rutgers; and Kathe Newman, associate professor, Bloustein School and director, Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement 

WHEN:   

WHERE:

Friday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. – noon

Special Events Forum, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. 

The Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy seeks to enhance educational opportunities, facilitate innovative research and engage with communities. A collaborative effort of university faculty and students with community development actors, the center will enhance dialogue and discussion among communities, government, students and scholars; increase community development capacity; conduct research in partnership with communities; enhance educational opportunities in and outside of the classroom; support the development of innovative responsive public policy; and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ralph Voorhees’ dedication to a life of service and civic engagement are appropriately and permanently recognized by the generosity of his niece and nephew, Susan Voorhees Hunt and Scott Voorhees, in their establishment of this center. They continue a multigenerational tradition of support by the Voorhees family for Rutgers University by indicating their intent to provide $750,000 over the next five years to programs and activities of the center. In 2008, Scott and Susan, the children of Alan M. Voorhees – Ralph’s late brother – initiated their commitment to honor their uncle with a gift of $500,000 that established the Ralph W. Voorhees Fellowship Program in Public Service at the Bloustein School. Their additional gift has made possible the establishment of the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement.

The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy begins its yearlong 20th anniversary celebration with the start of the 2011-12 academic year. The school, established and approved by the Rutgers University Board of Governors in 1992, serves as one of the nation’s key centers for the theory and practice of urban planning and public policy scholarship and analysis.