The 17th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors 20 More Garden State Heroes
The Governor and First Lady
Actor-Comedian-Short Guy Danny DeVito (Class of 2010) hosted the 17th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony November 21. Twenty New Jerseyans, from all walks of life, were honored. Jon Bon Jovi presented keyboardist-composer David Bryan his honor. Already in as a member of Bon Jovi (Class of 2009), Bryan (from Perth Amboy) co-wrote the Broadway musical Memphis, for which he won a Tony Award. He performed as did John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls. Actress Edie Falco inducted CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana S. Bash (from Teaneck).
During the acceptance speech of The Jonas Brothers (from Bergen County), Nick Jonas said, “and to every kid at home wondering if you can make it, wondering if big dreams can come out of a small town, the answer is yes. New Jersey prepares you for life. If you survive the Turnpike traffic and the shore on Labor Day weekend, you can survive anything.”
Host Danny Devito
Dorothea Bongiovi (Jon Bon’s wife), from Monmouth County, was cited as an “Unsung Hero” for her work as founder of the JBJ Soul Kitchen. “I am truly honored to be inducted and humbled to be included with those who came before me, especially Anna Diaz-White (Class of 2023), who was a huge inspiration for me.
Gov. Murphy: “New Jersey is honored to be home to so many Hall of Famers who continue to inspire us all. Their talent, grit and heart reflect the classic Jersey spirit that has always set us apart. Each one of this year’s inductees reminds us that no matter where life take us, our New Jersey roots always keep us grounded.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is:
Arts & Letters
Dana S. Bash, CNN chief political correspondent, anchor of “Inside Politics with Dana Bash” and Co-Anchor of “State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash”
Mary Alice Williams, Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, a founding anchor of CNN, and former anchor for NJTV News
Enterprise
Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration and Chief Executive Officer of the United States Internal Revenue Service
David Burke, renowned restaurateur and culinary innovator
Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr., chairman & CEO of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.
Zygi Wilf, businessman, real estate developer, chairman and co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings
Performing Arts & Entertainment
David Bryan, keyboardist for rock band Bon Jovi and Tony Award-winning lyricist and composer
The Isley Brothers, a Grammy Award-winning music group
Jonas Brothers, an award-winning pop band
Michael E. Uslan, originator and executive producer of the Batman movie franchise
Public Service
John P. Keegan, chairman and CEO, Charles Edison Fund and Edison Innovation Foundation
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver*, New Jersey’s second Lieutenant Governor and the first woman of color elected to statewide office in the state’s history
William Edward Simon*, businessman, philanthropist, and former United States Secretary of the Treasury
David T. Wilentz*, former attorney general of New Jersey and founder of law firm Wilentz, Goldman, and Spitzer
Sports
Martin Brodeur, former ice hockey goaltender and current team executive for the New Jersey Devils
Hubie Brown, former basketball player, analyst, and two-time NBA Coach of the Year
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles
Unsung Hero
Dorothea Bongiovi, founder and program director of JBJ Soul Kitchen, a “pay-it-forward” community restaurant model that serves in-need and paying customers to address issues of insecurity while connecting people to critical resources.
Educator of the Year
Drury Thorp, a passionate educator known for innovative, student-centered teaching that inspires curiosity, deep thinking, and civic engagement. She creates meaningful, real-world learning experiences that empower students and strengthen communities.
Education, Research, Engineering, and Science
The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., president emerita of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, theoretical physicist at AT&T Bell Labs, and recipient of the National Medal of Science.
*Being honored posthumously.