
Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has decided to sell its N.C. Wyeth painting “Reception to Washington on April 21, 1789, at Trenton On His Way To New York to Assume the Duties of the Presidency Of the United States.” (see Wyeth’s ‘Reception to Washington’ to be Sold, written by Dan Aubrey, June 22, 2022, U.S.1).
The painting, at a value of $4m was donated to the TESU almost 3 years ago by Wells Fargo Bank.
Wanda Saez, a spokeswoman for the bank said at the time “The college has had an interest in this painting for many years. We know they will take wonderful care of it, and they realize – as we do – how important this painting is for the city of Trenton.”
TESU President Merodie A. Hancock recently stated “While this was the most unique gift in our history of our university, gifts to the University are ultimately meant to further our mission and empower working adults. It is our great hope that this painting will find a new home where it can be more widely viewed and enjoyed while at the same time help us further progress the TESU mission.”
The Trenton Historical Society (THS) strongly feels that the painting was given to TESU by Wells Fargo to keep in trust for the citizens of Trenton and that the painting should not be sold and eventually leave the city of Trenton.
Thomas Edison State University Trustees and Administration
Please voice your opinion to TESU selling the painting. Click here for sample letters. Contact anyone on this list if you have their information, or send all other correspondence to:
Brian K. Bridges, Ph.D.
Email – Brian.Bridges@oshe.nj.gov
1 John Fitch Plaza 10th Floor, PO Box 542 Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
NJ Secretary of Higher Education
and/or
Michael Mancini
Email – mmancini@tesu.edu
111 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
TESU Chief of Staff/ Chief Operating Officer and secretary to the Board of Trustees
TESU Board of Trustees
Merodie A. Hancock, PhD, President TESU
ex-officio board member
Kemi Alli MD, Chair
CEO Henry J. Austin Health Center
Gualberto (Gil) Medina, Vice Chair
Executive Vice President of CBRE
Rev. J Stanley Justice
former Pastor Mt. Zion AME Church
Eric Robert Lear, CPA
Managing Partner of Lear & Pannepacker, LLP
Brian T. Maloney
President of BM Advisory Services
Lydia Stockman, RN, MHA, FACHE
Chief Administrative Officer for Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill and Woodbury
Michael R. Toscani, past chair of the Thomas Edison State University Foundation
Research Professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University
Johnnie Whittington
NJ State AFL-CIO, Business Representative SMWIA 27
Jennifer M. Hutchison
Student Trustee
Jerome Ingram, Jr.,
Student Trustee