The Research & Development Council of New Jersey is pleased to present Dr. P. Roy
Vagelos, former Chairman and CEO of Merck, with the Chairman's Award to honor his
leadership in uniting the objectives of the business sector, academia, and the state
government. The award will be presented at the R&D Council's Annual Awards Dinner at
the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, to be held on November 6th, 2003.
As Co-Chairman of the Jobs Growth and Economic Development Commission, Dr. Vagelos
evaluated and compared Rutgers University, UMDNJ and NJIT with other research-based
universities across the nation to determine what model best ensures success and
provides for the highest collaborative degree of cooperation between the private
sector and the university community. Dr. Vagelos concluded that New Jersey was not
performing adequately and proposed a system that requires the three universities to
report to a Chancellor in Trenton to provide integration across disciplinary lines,
as well as encourage collaboration with the private sector. This proposal has been
accepted and is expected to be implemented by Governor McGreevey.
In addition to the Chairman's Award, the Science/Technology Medal will be presented
to Robert Essner, Chairman, President and CEO of Wyeth, and the Educator of the Year
award will be given to Shirley M. Tilghman, President of Princeton University. The
Thomas Alva Edison Patent Awards will also be presented to New Jersey's finest
organizations and institutions for the most revolutionary product innovations and
important scientific breakthroughs.
R&D Council Chairman, Robert Schaffhauser, says, "I am honored to present Dr. Vagelos
with our Chairman's Award for his outstanding contributions to business, academia and
the government. He has worked hard to ensure that New Jersey will remain a force in
the future of research and development. We applaud his many achievements and his
continuing efforts in bringing New Jersey education into the 21st century."
For additional information on the Research & Development Council of New Jersey's Annual
Awards Dinner, please contact the R&D Council office.
