Peace Islands Institute Awards Recognize Excellence


Date posted: June 23, 2014

By Tasmin Mahfuz

The Peace Islands Institute of New Jersey held their annual awards dinner to recognize the accomplishments of 6 remarkable individuals in different walks of life.

More than 200 people joined to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues and community members, including NJ State Senator Bob Gordon.

“The Peace Islands Institute does a very good job of that,” he said.

This year’s awards recognized contributions in Business, Community, Media, Diversity Appreciation, Education and Peace and Understanding.

Mike Schneider, the recipient for the Media Award, started his career in broadcasting nearly 40 years ago.

From NBC’s Nightly News to ABC’s Good Morning America, he has kept his audience informed

“I am humbled by the honor because a lot of reasons I got into this work four decades ago, I felt that my political leaders at the time, didn’t listen to the people,” Mike explained.

For 30 years, Sheriff Berdnik protected his community through law enforcement and received the Community Service Award.

“To be chosen for this event is really spectacular. One thing that I love about my job is the fact that I go out in so many different diverse cultures and for me it’s a tremendous learning experience,” he said.

Dr. Tracy Severns serves as the Chief Academic Officer for NJ’s Dept of Education where her workshops offer best practices for today’s teachers.

“Working to help leaders and teachers to make things possible for over 1.7 million children throughout the state of New Jersey, I can’t imagine a calling or a mission more important than that,” she said.

Other honorees of the night included Assemblywoman Annette Quijano who received the Diversity Appreciation Award for her work in fighting inequality.

Reverend Robert Moore accepted the Peace and Understanding Award for his commitment to stop weapons trafficking.

Jeffery Vega was honored with the Business Award as the President of a non-profit organization called New Brunswick tomorrow.

Each of the honorees have motivated their community through their actions and by recognizing their accomplishments inspire others to strive for peace.

Tags: | | |


Related News

OKC Thunder’s Enes Kanter laughs off being called a terrorist by Turkish government

OKC Thunder center Enes Kanter has been accused in Turkey of being a terrorist and has a warrant out for his arrest, according to a report from a pro-government Turkish newspaper.

Saylorsburg cleric sends statement to Muslim-Catholic conference

A press release prepared by the Alliance for Shared Values says Saylorsburg resident Fethullah Gulen, the prominent Muslim cleric, has urged people of all faiths to come together to address global conflict at the first-ever US Muslim-Catholic Dialogue Conference, which seeks to promote interfaith dialogue and mutual respect worldwide.

Once They were Brothers – Bir Zamanlar Kardeştiler

Kanter himself has faced legitimate threats from Erdoğan’s government. In 2017, Kanter escaped Turkish agents in Indonesia while working at a basketball camp for his foundation. He was detained in Romania for several hours and Turkish authorities had already cancelled his passport, making him a stateless man. Eventually, he was able to return to the United States, but not without a Turkish arrest warrant and a four-year prison sentence.

Prominent theologian says Turkey in crisis with international community

American Professor Philip Clayton has said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s burning of bridges with the European Union after he received criticism from the bloc for detaining leading members of the media is a sign that Turkey is in crisis with the international community.

Virginians Deliver 114,000 Pounds of Winter Warmth to Refugees in Turkey

Local governments working with volunteers from religious groups and private business in Virginia delivered more than 72 tons of coats and blankets this winter to Syrian refugees in Turkey. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission, made up of 14 local governments in the Washington, DC suburbs, has been coordinating the coat and blanket drive for each of the last three winters.

The Alliance for Shared Values Statement on Ankara Attacks

The Alliance for Shared Values deplores the bombing attacks perpetrated against peaceful protesters today in Ankara. We are deeply saddened by the increasing number of losses and injuries and offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims. It is now more important than ever that we do not fall prey to the pernicious intentions behind these attacks.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Why Turkey wants to silence its academics

Turkish-American school takes top prizes in Connecticut science fair

State discrimination against Hizmet movement sympathizers

Students from 70 countries share joy of graduating in İstanbul ceremony

Fethullah Gulen Talked to Kurdish TV on Kurds, human rights and Erdogan

Mavi Marmara and Gülen’s critics: politics and principles

Erdoğan draws ire from all segments of society over bid to close Turkish schools

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News