Class representatives delivered remarks. Top row (left to right):  Samantha Chen,  Ayesha Qureshi  .

Bottom row (left to right):  Mateusz Solarz,  Mustafa Raza.

Last week, 24 students graduated from the Eagleton Undergraduate Associates Program. The Class of 2020 included  students from all three Rutgers campus locations. Some of the recent graduates are pursuing graduate school in  criminal justice, law, and political science. Others are beginning careers at Goldman Sachs, Raytheon Technologies, the United States State Department,  Procter & Gamble, as well as various political campaigns, non-profits, and grassroots advocacy organizations.

Eagleton hosted a virtual ceremony, which was attended by the senior and junior student cohorts, their families, and Eagleton faculty and staff. The program included remarks from faculty and class representatives who shared their Eagleton experience. Michael Aron, veteran journalist and NJTV news anchor, delivered the keynote speech that encouraged students to enter the field of public service and politics with the purpose of helping others.

"Helping people is the currency of the realm in the world of public service, a world that many of you are about to step into. Don't forget what it's all about - helping people. Many of you are going to enter this profession where helping people is so fundamental and you are entering at an incredibly peculiar and horrific time... I think if there is one thing we've learned from this experience, it's the we need government now more than ever. Fortunately, you all have a good Eagleton foundation to build on and to inspire you," said Aron.

Governor Phil Murphy's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic has catapulted him to one of the most liked governors in New Jersey history, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

"Like a number of other governors during this pandemic, Governor Murphy is experiencing a rally 'round the flag effect that we sometimes see emerge with leaders in times of crisis," said Ashley Koning, assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. "After two years of middling ratings, Murphy's visibility and leadership have propelled his overall numbers to something we have not seen the likes of since Governor Christie after Hurricane Sandy. What remains to be seen is how long this overwhelming support for Murphy will last as the economic impact of the outbreak becomes increasingly dire and as we approach summer."

Virtually all New Jerseyans say COVID-19 is having a major impact on the country (96%), New Jersey (95%), and their respective economies (96% and 94%, respectively), according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

"There is no doubt that this pandemic is taking a personal and professional toll on a large number of New Jerseyans, as well as affecting their physical and mental health," said Ashley Koning, assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "This is especially true for certain populations in the state, such as non-white residents, those with lower levels of education, those in lower income brackets, and those living in certain regions."