Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University (left), received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the New Jersey League of Municipalities at the league’s annual conference on Nov. 20 in Atlantic City. Dr. Pruitt is pictured with Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne M. Walters, league president, and Dr. James W. Hughes, dean of the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University, who was also honored at the event. Photo: Hal Brown.
Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University, was selected by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) to receive the association’s 14th annual Distinguished Public Service Award.
The award is given to honor individuals or organizations that have made substantial contributions to the state of New Jersey through distinguished public service.
“Dr. Pruitt’s focus on improving access and retention for scores of adults returning to earn their college degrees has been exemplary,” said William G. Dressel Jr., NJLM’s executive director. “The League was pleased to honor someone whose commitment to higher education is such an important driver of our state’s prosperity.”
Serving as Thomas Edison State University’s president since 1982, Pruitt has also served in executive leadership positions at Illinois State University, Towson State University, Morgan State University and Tennessee State University.
He is chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia, Pa; past chairman and current member of the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Trenton, N.J.; chairman of the Board of Directors for Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (SEEDCO), New York, N.Y., and chairman of the Board of Directors for Capital City Partnership, Inc., Trenton, N.J. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), Washington, D.C.; member and past chairman of the New Jersey President’s Council; and member of the Mayor’s Economic Advisory Council (MEAC), City of Trenton, N.J.
Pruitt has served in an advisory capacity to five secretaries of education under three U.S. presidents. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University and his doctorate from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati. In a study of presidential leadership funded by the Exxon Education Foundation, Pruitt was identified as one of the most effective college presidents in the United States.
Both he and Dr. James W. Hughes, dean of the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, accepted the Distinguished Public Service Award during the NJLM’s Annual Delegates Luncheon on Nov. 20, at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J. The award was presented by League president and Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne M. Walters.
Headquartered in Trenton, N.J., the NJLM is a voluntary association created to help New Jersey communities by pooling information and resources. Established by state statute in 1915, the NJLM serves local officials from 565 member municipalities throughout the state.
Toni M. Terry, BA