EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Jersey Hall of Fame today announced the 13 newest inductees to be honored at this year's Induction Ceremony on October 22, 2015 at historic Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The distinguished Class of 2015 is:
- ARTS & LETTERS: authors James Fenimore Cooper and Anna Quindlen
- ENTERPRISE: Fox Studio founder William Fox, and philanthropists Lewis Katz and Bernard Marcus
- PERFORMANCE ARTS: legendary R&B band Kool and the Gang, and comedian Jon Stewart
- PUBLIC SERVICE: Medal of Honor recipient Jack H. Jacobs, and U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg
- SPORTS: baseball great Derek Jeter, U.S. Women's national soccer team captain Christie Rampone, and ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale
- UNSUNG HERO: Morgan Stanley executive Carla Harris
"We are honored to recognize this highly distinguished group of inductees," said Bart Oates, Chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners. "Their achievements and the impact they have made in their respective fields are undeniable. They serve as an inspiration to us all."
A total of 50 nominees appeared on the official 2015 ballot – 10 in each of five categories: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performance Arts, Public Service and Sports. Voting was open to the public and took place online at www.njhalloffame.org. The public voting, along with input from the Hall of Fame's Board of Commissioners, selected this year's class. Nearly 100 individuals and groups have been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame since its inception in 2008.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum welcomes thousands of visitors annually as the Hall's renowned "NJ Field Trip on Wheels" visits communities, schools, festivals, and business-events across the Garden State. Through the power of images, artifacts, film and a suite of interactive tools, New Jersey's legends are made accessible to every curious imagination.
The Class of 2015 induction ceremony will take place at the Asbury Park Convention Hall, Thursday, October 22. For information on sponsorship and ticket packages, please contact Amberle Gilroy at 908-698-9857 or amberle.gilroy@gmail.com.
THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2015
Arts & Letters
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, Burlington, N.J.
James Fenimore Cooper was born in Burlington and was a popular and prolific American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature. Cooper's most notable works are the Leatherstocking Tales, a series of five novels, each featuring the main hero Natty Bumppo -- The Prairie, The Pioneers, The Pathfinders, The Deerslayer, and The Last of the Mohicans, often regarded as his masterpiece.
ANNA QUINDLEN, South Brunswick, N.J.
Anna Quindlen graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1970. She is an author, journalist, and opinion columnist, whose New York Times column, Public and Private, won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992. Quindlen is the author of seven best-selling novels (Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Rise and Shine, Blessings, Object Lessons, One True Thing, Black and Blue, and Every Last One) and eight non-fiction books (A Short Guide to a Happy Life; Good Dog. Stay.; Being Perfect; Loud & Clear; Living Out Loud; Thinking Out Loud; How Reading Changed My Life; and Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake). She wrote the Last Word column for Newsweek from 2000 to 2009.
Enterprise
WILLIAM FOX, Fort Lee, N.J.
William Fox was a pioneering motion picture executive who built a multimillion-dollar enterprise controlling a large portion of the exhibition, distribution, and production of film facilities during the era of silent film. He founded the Fox Film Corporation, the progenitor of the Twentieth Century-Fox studios, in Fort Lee in 1915, with financing he obtained from Newark's Prudential Insurance Company. Fox ran his studios in Fort Lee until 1919 when he moved the operations to California where the studios flourished in the 1920s. In 1927, Fox produced the news series Movietone News, the first commercially successful sound film, and his acclaimed film Sunrise won the first and still only, Oscar for "Unique and Artistic Production."
LEWIS KATZ, Camden, N.J.
Lewis Katz was born in Camden, N.J. and grew up in the Parkside section of the city. He became a lawyer and businessman, making millions in parking lots (former owner of Kinney Parking Systems), billboards (former chairman of Interstate Outdoor Advertising) and sports (former principal owner of the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Nets). He was the majority owner of five radio stations in Atlantic and Cape May counties. A noted philanthropist, he was the director of the Katz Foundation, which supports charitable, educational and medical causes. To support pioneering medical research, Katz established an annual prize and endowed a visiting professorship in cardiovascular research at Columbia University. He also established several programs to help children in his hometown including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Camden. He pledged $25 million to his alma mater, Temple, making it the largest single donation in school history. Katz was a prominent donor to the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, N.J. Katz died when his private plane crashed upon takeoff in May 2014.
BERNARD MARCUS, Newark, N.J.
Home Depot co-founder Bernard Marcus grew up in Newark and graduated from South Side High School in 1947. He went to Rutgers University where he studied to be a pharmacist. After graduation, he moved from pharmacy to retail eventually reaching a position as a top executive with Handy Dan Improvement Centers. He was fired after a disagreement with his boss so he and co-worker Arthur Blank opened a rival retailer, Home Depot. Three years later, they took Home Depot public and became billionaires. Marcus retired in 2001 to focus on philanthropy. He has given away more than $1 billion. His most prominent gift was a $250 million donation to build the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta, where Home Depot is headquartered. Marcus also funded and founded The Marcus Institute, a center of excellence for the provision of comprehensive services for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Marcus donated $25 million to Autism Speaks to spearhead its efforts to raise money for research on the causes and cure for autism.
Performing Arts
KOOL & THE GANG, Jersey City, N.J.
In 1964 Ronald Bell and his brother, Robert "Kool" Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert "Spike" Mickens, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. Over the years, additional members included Amir Bayyan, Shawn McQuiller, Curtis Williams, Michael Ray, Lavell Evans, Clifford Adams and Tom Horton. Kool and the Gang has sold over 70 million albums worldwide, earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Hit singles include "Ladies' Night," "Celebration," "Get Down On It" and "Joanna."
JON STEWART, Lawrenceville, N.J.
Jon Stewart was raised in Lawrenceville and attended Lawrence High School. He is a writer, director, producer, television host, actor and comedian. In 1999, he became the host of The Daily Show (later renamed The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), a satirical news program that dubs itself "the most trusted name in fake news." The Daily Show has won 18 Emmy Awards. Stewart recently announced he was leaving the show after 15 years. His final show will air August 6, 2015.
Public Service
JACK H. JACOBS, Woodbridge, N.J. & Long Hill, N.J.
Jack Howard Jacobs moved to Woodbridge as a child in the mid-1950's and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1962. He earned both a B.A. and Masters at Rutgers University. A member of the school's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, he entered military service as a second lieutenant in 1966. He spent two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Jacobs received two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. He retired from the Army as a colonel in 1987. In 2008, Jacobs published his memoir, If Not Now, When? Duty and Sacrifice in America's Time of Need. He is currently a military analyst for NBC/MSNBC.
U.S. SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, Paterson, N.J. & Cliffside Park, N.J.
Frank Lautenberg was born in Paterson and graduated from Nutley High School. Lautenberg, a Democrat, represented New Jersey in the United States Senates for five terms. He first served from 1982 to 2001 and after a brief retirement, he was asked by his party to run again. Lautenberg was re-elected to the Senate and served from 2003 until his death in June 2013. He was known for his legislative efforts to toughen environmental regulations, anti-smoking laws, consumer protections, and drunk driving penalties, and to increase spending for Amtrak and urban public transportation.
Sports
DEREK JETER, West Milford, N.J.
Derek Jeter was born in Pequannock and lived in West Milford until the age of four when his family moved to Michigan. Jeter would return and spend summers with his grandparents in West Milford, where he played in summer baseball youth leagues. He attended New York Yankees games with his grandparents and became a passionate fan of the team. At shortstop, Jeter played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Yankees. A five-time World Series champion, he is the Yankees' all-time career leader in hits (3,465), doubles (544), games played (2,747), stolen bases (358), times on base (4,716), plate appearances (12,602), and at bats (11,195). His accolades include 14 All-Star selections, five Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Slugger Awards, two Hank Aaron Awards, and a Roberto Clemente Award.
CHRISTIE RAMPONE, Point Pleasant, N.J.
Christie Rampone grew up in Point Pleasant and was a four-sport athlete in soccer, basketball, track, and field hockey at Point Pleasant Boro High School. Rampone attended Monmouth University where she excelled as a three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. She finished her collegiate soccer career with a start in all 80 games, led her team with 79 career goals and 54 assists, and was Monmouth's record holder for goals, assists, and points in a season. Rampone is captain of the United States women's national soccer team and has played in four FIFA Women's World Cup finals and four Olympics. She is a 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup champion, and a three-time gold medalist having won championship titles at the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. She is currently competing with Team USA at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
DICK VITALE, East Rutherford, N.J.
Dick Vitale was born and raised in East Rutherford. He graduated from Seton Hall University and coached basketball at Garfield High School, his alma mater East Rutherford High School, and Rutgers University (assistant coach). Vitale joined ESPN soon after its launch in 1979 and serves as the primary college basketball analyst. Vitale has called close to 1,000 games and his enthusiastic broadcast style has introduced many "Vitale-isms" that are now household phrases including "Awesome Baby", "PTP'er" (prime-time player), "Diaper Dandy" (freshman star), and "All-Windex Performer" (ferocious rebounder). In 2008, Vitale received the sport's ultimate honor when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.
Unsung Hero
CARLA HARRIS, Montclair, N.J.
Carla Harris resides in Montclair and is Vice Chairman of Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was Chair of the Morgan Stanley Foundation from 2005 to 2014, and sits on the boards of several community organizations. In August 2013, Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. Harris has been named by Fortune magazine among The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America. She is an author and popular public speaker who gives impactful career guidance honed by her own experiences to corporate audiences, based on her book, Expect to Win. Harris is a celebrated gospel singer who has released multiple albums and performed at Carnegie Hall.
PAST NJHOF INDUCTEES
Class of 2014 – Maud Dahme, Patrick Ewing, Governor James Florio, James Gandolfini, Dizzy Gillespie, Howard Katz, Peter J. McGuire, Dorothy Parker, The Shirelles, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Waters, Brian Williams
Class of 2013 – Alice Guy Blache, Bobbi Brown, Raymond G. Chambers, Grover Cleveland, Celia Cruz, Joetta Clark Diggs, Whitney Houston, J. Seward Johnson, Governor Tom Kean, Thomas Paine, Joe Piscopo, David Sarnoff, "Jersey Joe" Wolcott, Dionne Warwick, Kathleen DiChiara
Class of 2012 – Milt Campbell, John Dorrance, Michael Douglas, E Street Band, Bob Hurley, Wellington Mara, Samuel Newhouse, Annie Oakley, Joyce Carol Oates, Christopher Reeve, Sarah Vaughan, Eric LeGrand
Class of 2011 – John Basilone, Tony Bennett, Governor Brendan Byrne, Mary Higgins Clark, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, Franco Harris, Leon Hess, Queen Latifah, John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, Martha Stewart, Joe Theismann. John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Victims of 9/11
Class of 2010 – Count Basie, Judy Blume, Justice William J. Brennan, Danny DeVito, Larry Doby, Michael Graves, Carl Lewis, Jack Nicholson, Alice Paul, Les Paul, Phillip Roth, Susan Sarandon, Wally Schirra, Frankie Valli, Woodrow Wilson, James D'heron, Detective Marc DiNardo
Class of 2009 – Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Althea Gibson, Jon Bon Jovi, Jerry Lewis, Guglielmo Marconi, Shaquille O'Neal, Phil Rizzuto, Paul Robeson, Carl Sagan, Walt Whitman, William Carlos Williams, Lt. Brian Brennan
Class of 2008 – Buzz Aldrin, Clara Barton, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Malcolm Forbes, General Robert Wood Johnson II, Vince Lombardi, Toni Morrison, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Harriet Tubman
ABOUT NJHOF
The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) is a non-profit organization with two boards working collaboratively – the NJHOF Board of Commissioners and the NJHOF Foundation Board of Trustees. The NJHOF honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey, and the world beyond. Since 2008, nearly 100 notable individuals and groups have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The NJ Hall of Fame endeavors to present school children with significant and powerful role models to show that they can and should strive for excellence. Outreach through the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum, and the NJ HOF Curriculum Guide for educators, focuses on the importance of voting, the qualities of effective leadership, and inductee research. For more information on the NJHOF, its mission and inductees, go to www.njhalloffame.org. To view past induction ceremonies, visit the NJ Hall of Fame YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NJHoF.