Fifth Friday Friars Public Policy Luncheon: Princeton & Somerset County

From Somerset County Business Partnership: The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has announced that the March, 2017 Fifth Friday Friars Public Policy Luncheon will continue the trend of focusing on issues that enhance Somerset County’s economic competitiveness by introducing the opportunities available through connections with the state’s institutes of higher learning.

The Fifth Friday luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2017 at Raritan Valley Country Club, 747 State Route 28, Raritan, New Jersey. Featured speaker will be Coleen Burrus, Director, Corporate Engagement and Foundation Relations (CEFR) at Princeton University.

Ms. Burrus will discuss the agenda and goals of the CEFR team and how the Somerset County business community can benefit from the educational and research undertakings at Princeton University.

Ms. Burrus joined Princeton University Office of the Dean for Research in 2015 as the Director of the CEFR team. She arrived with more than 25 years of experience in the higher education, non-profit, and government sectors. Ms. Burrus mission is simple, “We want to send the message that Princeton wants to be engage with companies in a comprehensive way.” (NJBIZ – 1/23/17)

The CEFR initiative at Princeton is focused on building collaborations that allow faculty to transform “theories and research that begin in classrooms and laboratories into real-world projects that can make a difference to society.” The team builds collaborations with companies to support “strategic, catalytic, and capacity-building programs and research across all academic areas.”

Among the goals for the CEFR program are to create networking opportunities to enrich industry connections; facilitate research collaborations; and formulate and implement funding strategies for new initiatives and research.

Recent Fifth Friday Friars speakers focusing on connections between higher education and the Somerset County business community include Raritan Valley Community College President Mike McDonough, Rutgers University Senior Vice-President Christopher J. Molloy, PhD., R.Ph., head of the Office for Research and Economic Development, and President of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Dr. Joel S. Bloom,

“The Somerset County Business Partnership welcomes these opportunities to develop strong collaborations between Princeton University and Somerset County businesses,” noted Mike Kerwin, President/CEO of the Somerset County Business Partnership. “With world-class institutions of higher learning right in our back yard, taking advantage of the inherent wisdom, the research capabilities, the knowledge and experience of the educators and the students who are tomorrow’s leaders, is part of our responsibility to the business community.”

Registration for the luncheon is $75 per person ($100 at the door.). Reservations may be made online at www.scbp.org/events or by calling 908-218-4300, faxing to 908-722-7823, or mailing a check payable to the Business Partnership to 360 Grove Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

PHOTO CAPTION: Colleen Burrus, Director, Corporate Engagement and Foundation Relations (CEFR) at Princeton University, will be the guest speaker at the Somerset County Business Partnership’s March 31, 2017 Fifth Friday Friars Luncheon at Raritan Valley Country Club in Raritan, New Jersey. The luncheon is open to the public.

BACKGROUNDER

The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) serves as Somerset County’s regional Chamber of Commerce and the essential partner for doing business in Somerset County. The SCBP enjoys a unique public-private partnership with County government to provide economic development and tourism services.

The mission of the SCBP is to lead the business community to a prosperous and sustainable future, offering members opportunities to grow their businesses through networking, advocacy, workforce initiatives, and educational events. Members and investors represent public, private and community organizations, working in partnership and dedicated to maintaining and promoting economic prosperity and quality of life in Somerset County. The Business Partnership serves as the platform to gain critical information, brand a business, develop leadership skills and learn how specific business strategies can improve profitability

Photo Courtesy of Somerset County Business Partnership