Former New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney was sworn in on Wednesday to the Rowan University Board of Trustees, following his last-place finish in the June Democratic gubernatorial primary.
State Sen. John Burzichelli, a longtime legislative partner, administered the oath of office at the board’s Sept. 10 meeting. Sweeney, a Democrat, served as Senate president from 2010 to 2022 and was the longest-serving leader in the modern era of the state Senate.
“Steve Sweeney’s legacy of public service and his unwavering commitment to South Jersey make him an invaluable addition to our board,” said Chad Bruner, chair of the Rowan University Board of Trustees.
Sweeney’s influence was instrumental in Rowan’s transformation into a public research university. He was a key architect of the 2012 state legislation that restructured medical education and resulted in Rowan acquiring the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
As senate president, Sweeney also supported the creation of the state’s first veterinary school at Rowan, which opened this month, and numerous state-funded capital projects.
“No one knows the importance of investing in higher education better than Steve Sweeney,” said Rowan University President Ali Houshmand.
Sweeney’s 20-year legislative career ended in a historic 2021 upset when he was defeated by Republican Edward Durr.
Following his departure from the Senate, Sweeney chaired the advisory board of the Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy at Rowan until stepping down in 2024 to run for governor.
In his new role as trustee, Sweeney will help oversee the institution’s continued growth as it aims to achieve an R1 designation for very high research activity.
The university already meets the metrics for the distinction, which fewer than 190 institutions nationwide have earned.
“I’m excited to be part of this board,” Sweeney said following the swearing-in. “This is an exciting time for Rowan University.”