Award winning film producer Jon Kilik will deliver the Commencement Address to Monmouth University graduates at its winter Commencement ceremony on Friday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) on the main campus in West Long Branch, NJ. Monmouth University will award approximately 400 undergraduate and graduate degrees. During the ceremony, an honorary degree will be awarded to Kilik. In addition, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun F. Golden ’99 will be presented with the Maurice Pollak Award for Distinguished Community Service for his regional leadership role during Superstorm Sandy.
As one of Hollywood’s top, independent film producers, Jon Kilik has helped bring to worldwide audiences a broad range of films whose stories emphasize human values and social issues. Currently working on the sequel to his 2012 success, The Hunger Games, Kilik is also known for producing such as films as Dead Man Walking, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, A Bronx Tale, Pleasantville, Babel, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, and Pollock among others. Kilik said he is most passionate about stories that center on people whose voices are not being heard. “One of the great things about film is that it can shine a light on human and social issues that are otherwise swept under the rug,” he said. Born in Newark, Kilik grew up in Millburn, NJ. Throughout his career Kilik said he has tried to choose films for their social significance in contemporary life. Kilik’s films have received twenty-seven Oscar nominations. He won the Golden Globe Award for best picture for Babel in 2007 and a second Golden Globe for best foreign film for The Diving Bell and The Butterfly in 2008.
Golden, the Monmouth County Sheriff, serves as the chief executive of the 609 member, $67 million agency. Golden worked tirelessly with community officials, first responders, and volunteers throughout Superstorm Sandy to keep Monmouth County residents safe. His tireless presence across the county was highly praised. His personal leadership, and partnership with the Monmouth University Police Chief, enabled the County to operate a safe and effective temporary shelter for over 1,000 evacuees at Monmouth University in the aftermath of the storm. He helped organize assistance from the county, state, and federal governments to clear storm damage and begin rebuilding. Sheriff Golden is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County with a wealth of experience in law enforcement and public administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Monmouth University, a master’s degree in public administration from Seton Hall University, and is a NJ Certified Public Manager and an adjunct professor at Monmouth University with the Department of Political Science and Sociology.