Every year thousands of local and state government officials from across New Jersey gather in Atlantic City at the League of Municipalities conference. At the 102nd annual conference, held November 14-16, 2017, Department of Political Science and Public Affairs Associate Professor Dr. Matthew Hale received the Dr. Thomas J. Davy Academic Achievement Award. Dr. Hale was recognized for his outstanding work as an educator in the field of Public Administration. The award was presented by the New Jersey Municipal Management Association (NJMMA) at their annual luncheon held during the Conference. Bloomfield, New Jersey Township Administrator Matthew Watkins, nominated Dr. Hale.

Mr. Watkins said,

Dr. Hale does amazing work in teaching future public sector leaders. He has made a meaningful impact on his students, local governments in New Jersey that his students and alumni work for and most importantly, he has had a positive impact on the citizens of New Jersey. The Seton Hall M.P.A. program is nationally recognized as one of the great schools in the country and Dr. Hale’s leadership is a big reason.

Current M.P.A. student, Kimberly Kenny, who accepted the award for Dr. Hale said,

I love the program and the work that Dr. Hale does towards improving it every day. The M.P.A. program has helped me in so many ways in my job as a Personnel Coordinator. Dr. Hale uses his role and influence to educate and speak out about issues that affect public policy.

Dr. Hale said,

This is truly a great honor for me and for Seton Hall. There is nothing teachers enjoy more than seeing their students succeed and do well. I am grateful to all of my students working to make New Jersey a better place and I am humbled to have played a small part in their success.

The New Jersey Municipal Management Association (NJMMA) is an organization of professional local government administrators and assistants whose goal is to improve the quality of local government in New Jersey through professional management. Nominees for the Dr. Thomas J. Davy Academic Achievement Award must be outstanding educators in the general field of public administration, whether within local government or without.