NJ Hall Of Fame Inducts New Class Of ‘Garden State Heroes’ For 2025

It was a day filled with iconic New Jersey moments for iconic New Jersey natives.

A new class of inductees were recently honored with a spot in the New Jersey Hall of Fame as part of its 17th annual ceremony, which took place Nov. 21 at the American Dream complex.

Hosted by Danny DeVito, the event included a lineup of “Jersey moments.” Jon Bon Jovi presented David Bryan, keyboardist for rock band Bon Jovi, with his induction award. Actress Edie Falco of “Sopranos” fame honored Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent. The celebration also included performances from David Bryan and John Rzeznik, founder and frontman of the rock band Goo Goo Dolls.

As always, it was the awardees who took center stage.

“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,” said Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.

The siblings received an award in the Performing Arts & Entertainment category.

“New Jersey prepares you for life,” Jonas added. “If you can survive the Turnpike traffic and the shore on Labor Day weekend, you can survive anything.”

Meanwhile, Dorothea Bongiovi was inducted as an Unsung Hero to honor her work as founder and program director of JBJ Soul Kitchen, a “pay-it-forward” community restaurant model.

“I am truly honored to be inducted and humbled to be included with those who came before me, especially Anna Diaz-White, who was a huge inspiration for me,” she said.

The full roster of New Jersey Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 follows below (* honored posthumously):

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.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker all offered their congratulations to this year’s inductees.

Murphy praised the class of 2025 for their “talent, grit and heart.”

“Each one of this year's inductees reminds us that no matter where life takes us, our New Jersey roots always keep us grounded,” the governor said.

“Every generation deserves role models who inspire them to be their best selves,” agreed Jon Hanson, chair of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

“Celebrating New Jersey’s heroes reminds us all that greatness starts with overcoming challenges and believing you can make a difference in the lives of others,” Hanson said.

• See Related: 21 Famous Garden State Residents Earn Spot In NJ Hall Of Fame For 2024

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