A Message from the Director

As we begin Rutgers University’s spring semester, it is my pleasure to wish you a happy new year – 2026 promises to be momentous for many reasons. We begin this year with a new administration here in New Jersey, and as we look ahead, the country will be preparing for consequential midterm elections this fall – with the entire House of Representatives up for election, 35 seats in the U.S. Senate, 36 gubernatorial seats, and numerous state and local elected offices across the country. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the start of the American Revolution – a milestone that will be celebrated nationally and in every state including here in New Jersey. 

It is a particularly special year for the Eagleton Institute of Politics – 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of our founding. The first of its kind, the Institute was launched through the generosity of Florence Peshine Eagleton, a suffragist and social change activist. Her founding vision was “the development of and education for responsible leadership in civic and governmental affairs and the solution of their political problems.” This vision permeates every facet of the Institute’s research, education, and outreach. From the start, our mission has been to link the study of politics with the practice of politics – equipping our students and the public at large with the knowledge, the skills, and the inspiration to be active citizens. We are squarely focused on studying politics, inspiring engagement, and improving democracy. 

Although there is much to be proud of that has taken place throughout our 70-year history, we will not be celebrating by looking to our past – instead, we will use our groundbreaking work as a foundation for meeting this moment in American democracy. Our 70th along with the nation’s 250th has inspired our anniversary theme of “linking our revolutionary ideals with our contemporary politics.” True to our mission, we will mark this milestone year by reflecting on the ways in which the founding ideals of the nation – liberty, equality, the rule of law – have been realized and where the revolution remains unfinished and how the unique expertise of the Eagleton Institute offers a path for meeting these ideals. As we continue to strive to become “a more perfect union,” our anniversary also will be celebrated with a vibrant social media campaign highlighting the many civic tools in our collective democratic toolkit available for participating in our communities and in our politics.  

Join us then as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Eagleton Institute of Politics: 

  • Keep an eye out for upcoming events and join us as we reflect on the “democratic experiment” and envision how to advance its vitality.
  • Follow our 70th anniversary social media campaign highlighting how to “Take Action for Democracy” – like and share our posts and let us know how you are taking steps to make democracy better. 

Democracy begins and ends with us – “we the people.” What better way to celebrate not only the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding but the 70th anniversary of our Institute than by remembering our democratic principles and recommitting to their health and vitality for the next 70 years! 

 

Best wishes and thank you for your support, 

Elizabeth C. Matto, Ph.D.