Florence Peshine Eagleton was a suffragist and a founder of the New JerseyLeague of Women Voters who advocated women's higher education. She was one of the first women to serve as a Trustee of Rutgers University. She willed more than $1,000,000 to establish the Wells Phillips Eagleton and Florence Peshine Eagleton Foundation, which became the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Eagleton directed that her support be applied:
... for the advancement of learning in the field of practical political affairs and government that a knowledge of the meaning of democracy may be increased through the education of young women and men in democratic government.... It is my settled conviction that the cultivation of civic responsibility and leadership among the American people in the field of practical political affairs is of vital and increasing importance to our state and nation... I make this gift especially for the development of and education for responsible leadership in civic and governmental affairs and the solution of their political problems.
Centers and program
The Eagleton Institute of Politics has several centers and programs:
The Center for American Women and Politics aims to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life.
The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, established in 1971, conducts several statewide public opinion surveys each year and contracts with government agencies and non-profit organizations for contract polling work.
The Center on the American Governor seeks to promote research and discussion on the role of the governor in the United States. The Center is building an extensive virtual archive and sponsors a range of academic activities and public forums on topics and issues relating to the office of governor across the country as well as the administrations of selected holders of the office in New Jersey and other states.
The Center for Youth Political Participation, through research, public service, and educational programs, is dedicated to exploring civic education at the high school level and political participation among young adults. CYPP initiatives include RU Ready RU Voting, State House Express, the Young Elected Leaders Project, and the Darien Civic Engagement Project
Other Eagleton programs and initiatives include:
Clifford P. Case Professorship of Public Affairs — established by the university's board of governors in 1980 and named in honor of Clifford P. Case, longtime U.S. senator from New Jersey. The holder of the professional typically visits one of Rutgers' three campuses for a few days each year. Past holders have included George J. Mitchell, Olympia Snowe, Lee H. Hamilton, Chuck Hagel, J. William Fulbright, and Gerald R. Ford.
Arthur J. Holland Program on Ethics in Government — established in 1989 and named after Arthur John Holland, longtime mayor of Trenton. The program organizes an annual lecture at the university as well as workshop at the New Jersey League of Municipalities' Atlantic City conference. The program also awards a stipend "to support a student undertaking a project designed to promote ethics in government."
Eagleton staff
Ruth B. Mandel- Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Board of Governors Professor of Politics, and Senior Scholar at CAWP
John Weingart- Associate Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics and author of
