State Sen. Raymond Lesniak to Give Distinguished Lecture at Kean

Former State Senator Raymond Lesniak will join the ranks of Kean University’s Distinguished Lecturers on April 12, when he speaks about his 40 years spent in New Jersey politics.

Lesniak, a lifelong Elizabeth resident, served in both the state Assembly and Senate, and later founded the Lesniak Institute for American Leadership at Kean. He will release his memoir, Cultivating Justice in the Garden State: My Life in the Colorful World of New Jersey Politics, on April 15.

The lecture, moderated by Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage ’81, ’89 MPA, will draw from the insight and anecdotes that Lesniak includes in his book.

“Senator Lesniak has been a fierce advocate for social change throughout his career,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “We thank the senator for all of his contributions to and support for Kean and are pleased that he will be sharing his insights and experiences in a Distinguished Lecture to the Kean community,”

Kean’s Distinguished Lectures were created to bring thought leaders to the University community. Previous lecturers include CNN anchor Abby Phillip, who spoke last month; former Obama advisor David Axelrod; children’s author Chelsea Clinton; and civil rights leader Martin Luther King III.

“I’m proud of the fact that Kean University has such a distinguished list and I’ll be joining them,” Lesniak said.

Lesniak was raised in the Elizabethport section of Elizabeth and graduated from Rutgers University and St. John's University School of Law. He was elected to the Assembly in his late 20s and served five years in the lower house. He was then elected to the State Senate and decided not to seek reelection after 35 years, instead running unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for governor in 2017.

During his legislative career and now through the Lesniak Institute at Kean, he has been a leader in environmental issues, animal rights, LGBTQ rights, and abolishing the death penalty in New Jersey.

In his book, which he wrote during the pandemic, Lesniak talks about his work as a legislator and adds, “There are some juicy tidbits.” He hinted about golf games played with Donald Trump and with Bill Clinton, on separate occasions, among other stories.

“I’m particularly excited to speak at Kean,” Lesniak said. “I’m a Rutgers and St. John’s graduate, but I have very close ties with Kean University. I’m very proud of Kean’s transformation into the dynamic institution that it is today.”

Lesniak Center Director Sarah Mack said she looks forward to the event celebrating Lesniak’s accomplishments.

“I’m glad we are taking the time to celebrate Senator Lesniak and all he has done. He’s played a huge role in so many aspects in New Jersey and nationwide,” she said.

The Distinguished Lecture will take place in the STEM auditorium at Kean. To reserve a seat, visit https://kean.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2837

For more about Kean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, visit kean.edu/lectureseries.