Recipients of the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards were recently celebrated for their service to students and employees, for their role in cultivating a beloved community, for making a lasting difference beyond the university’s borders and for excellence in their work.
As we celebrate and look forward to 2025, take a look at some of the most noteworthy accomplishments and impactful work of the past year. Each one highlights Rutgers' innovation, academic excellence, and impact on the world around us
Jim Savage’s last visit to Rutgers University was one of celebration.
Savage—a Class of 1971 graduate who tirelessly volunteered on behalf of Rutgers causes for more than four decades—died October 26 following a 10-year battle with prostate cancer. Savage was deeply involved up to the end, visiting campus a week prior to his death to see the unveiling of a 24 foot by 8 foot mural of iconic Rutgers alumnus Paul Robeson during the Scarlet Knights homecoming football game.
When Rachel Toepfer is playing in the fantasy realm of Dungeons & Dragons, they tend to play the role of a paladin, a holy knight who fights for a cause.
In the real world, the Rutgers University-New Brunswick senior has taken up an advocacy role, too, advancing the cause for LGBTQ+ rights.
The “Meet the Moment” campaign includes two universitywide series – one featuring documentary films, other speaker-led discussions – both designed to facilitate civil discourse at Rutgers between students, staff and faculty.