Plaque honoring former Governor and Drew President Thomas H. Kean to be installed on campus
January 2026 – Drew University has received a $50,000 donation from the Garden State Initiative (GSI) to support the New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences (NJGSS), housed on Drew University’s campus each summer.
GSI, which hosted the Governor Tom Kean Leadership Award Gala in September 2025, aims to strengthen New Jersey by advancing policy solutions that foster new investment, job growth, economic opportunity, and innovation. GSI members made the donation official at a check presentation ceremony on campus earlier this week.
The generous donation will benefit the Governor’s School, a three-week residential program where local high school students are immersed in intensive college-level research through Governor’s School at Drew University funding.
“Governor Kean has long championed the idea that strong leadership begins with education and opportunity,” said Regina Egea, founder and chairwoman of GSI. “Drew University’s role as home to the Governor’s School reflects that principle, and this contribution underscores our shared commitment to investing in students who will help shape New Jersey’s future through innovation, research, and public service.”
“Drew University is proud to host the Governor’s School every summer,” said Drew University President Hilary L. Link, PhD. “This donation in honor of Governor Kean will be so meaningful to further the students’ experiences as they learn new science and research skills and explore possible futures.”
In addition to the donation to the Governor’s School, GSI has created a plaque honoring Kean’s leadership as Governor of New Jersey (1982-90), Chair of the 9/11 Commission (2002-04), and President of Drew University (1990-2005).
Given Kean’s strong ties to Drew University, GSI selected its campus as the permanent home site for the plaque, which will be installed in the Hall of Sciences. Governor Kean’s son, Reed Kean, also attended the dedication and shared remarks about his father’s connection to Drew and the meaningful role it played during his presidency.
Each year, GSI administers the Governor Thomas Kean Leadership Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify the “principled, inclusive, and collaborative leadership Governor Kean has demonstrated throughout his life and career.” The names of future award winners will be added to the plaque each year.
###
About Drew University
Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School, and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City. It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 143 full-time faculty members, 98 percent of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines, and offers 69 minors, 17 Dual-Degree programs, and seven New York Semesters.
About the Garden State Initiative
The Garden State Initiative’s mission is to strengthen New Jersey by providing an alternative voice and advancing evidence-based policy solutions that foster new investment, job growth, economic opportunity, and innovation for the benefit of all residents. To achieve this, GSI conducts rigorous research to identify structural barriers to growth and proposes practical reforms, drawing on quantitative analysis, comparative studies with peer states, and thorough policy evaluation to ensure recommendations are grounded in empirical evidence and best practices.
