Toms River Resident Judge Stephanie Wauters Honored by College of Saint Elizabeth

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Toms River resident New Jersey Superior Court Judge Stephanie Wauters received the Mother Xavier Award from her alma mater, the College of Saint Elizabeth.

MORRISTOWN, NJ (12/19/2011)(readMedia)-- The College of Saint Elizabeth ushered in the Christmas Season, Wednesday, December 7, 2011, with a festive musical performance and ceremony celebrating the College's annual Founders Day, which recognizes Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan (1825-1915), the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1859. The evening featured the presentation of the Mother Xavier Award to Toms River, N.J., resident and New Jersey Superior Court Judge Stephanie Mongiello Wauters, '67. The evening included the annual Christmas concert with the Elizabeth Singers, the Festival Choir, and Orchestra.

Each year during Founders day, CSE honors a graduate with the Mother Xavier Award, the highest honor the College bestows on an alumna/us. The award is given to a CSE graduate who exemplifies the vision, courage, and faith of Mother Xavier.

Sister Francis Raftery, president of the CSE, welcomed the crowd, saying, "It is a time of great anticipation of Christmas. Founders Day is a perfect entrée to such a joyous season. It is my great pleasure to present our honoree, who has not only moved this institution, but its mission forward ... to give it life and purpose."

A biology major at CSE, Judge Wauters began her career as a research assistant at Exxon Corporation from 1967 to 1968, where she worked on anti-pollution studies. Afterward, she earned her teacher certificate from Montclair State University and taught biology with an emphasis on the environment at Toms River High School South from 1979 to 1983.

In April 1984, the road caved in 1,500 feet from her house in Toms River, caused by a leaking Ciba-Geigy pipeline that ran 20 miles underground disposing chemicals 2,600 feet off

the shore. The incident inspired Judge Wauters to establish the Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water with other concerned neighbors. Together, they exposed the company's operation, gained public support, and stopped the pollution.

Later, while a Rutgers University law student, Judge Wauters interned with the EPA. Following graduation, she became a prosecutor in Ocean County, where she managed the Environmental Unit. In November 2004, she was confirmed as an Administrative Law Judge and, in July 2009, as a New Jersey Superior Court judge, serving Ocean County.

When presenting the award, Dr. James Dlugos, CSE dean of academic affairs, said, "The path from biology major and researcher to a high school biology teacher to law school graduate to Ocean County prosecutor to Superior Court judge may appear, at first glance, to be difficult to discern. However, through the twists and turns that led Judge Wauters to this evening, we can trace the influence of her time at the College of Saint Elizabeth. With her ability to master knowledge, to use it in the service of greater understanding, and to help others come to share in that greater understanding, Judge Wauters exemplifies the core values of the College of Saint Elizabeth."

In her acceptance speech, Judge Wauters acknowledged the powerful influence of an all-women institution, "The College exists for women to achieve, to be leaders. The sisters are role models of women with advanced degrees dedicated to faith and to their professions."

She further commented that the practice of scholarship and critical inquiry instilled in her during her College years carried over to her career, helping to make her successful.

Judge Wauters concluded by addressing present day CSE Women's College students, "My advice to you is to take risks, learn from mistakes, be resilient. Turn failures into catalysts for success. As a woman, do your best, but don't try to be perfect in balancing family and career. Delegate. The courage of your convictions will strengthen you. Good luck in transforming the values of the College of Saint Elizabeth into your personal lives."

Judge Wauters is deeply grateful to husband, John, and sons, John and David, daughters-in-law, Karen and Jennifer, and grandchildren Ryan, Madeline, Alison, and James, whose support has been critical to her success.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls more than 2,100 full- and part-time students in more than 25 undergraduate, 10 graduate and one doctoral degree programs. For information on other activities or programs, visit the College of Saint Elizabeth web site at www.cse.edu.