When it comes to recognizable people in Warren County, few can match that of Norman Worth. And with good reason. Worth has touched Warren County lives … many lives …. in many ways.

And on Saturday May 20, Worth will touch the lives of the graduating students of Warren Community College at the school’s 36th Commencement.   

Worth has been named the keynote speaker for this year’s commencement.  

In a career of over 45 years at WRNJ Radio based in Hackettstown, it’s hard to imagine that Worth hasn’t had a direct or indirect benefit on virtually every charity and non-profit organization in most of Northwest New Jersey. While Worth doesn’t take credit for any of it, instead telling you that it is his way of simply sharing the staff of his radio station to make things happen. Worth, however, is at the center of it all.

Since WRNJ’s origin in 1976, the station has helped raise over $10 million for local charities; 33 Radiothons for the Arc of Warren alone have totaled more than $1.5 million. Hundreds of thousands have been raised through many WRNJ Norwescap Holiday Food Drives, Radio Auctions for Hackettstown Medical Center, “on air” fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Operation Chillout for Homeless Veterans and so many others. Worth will always credit the staff… those on the air, those behind the scenes, and the generosity of WRNJ’s listeners but don’t be fooled. He is the inspiration for those millions of dollars being raised.

Even when he’s not sharing his radio station with the community, Worth finds the time to share himself with others. It could be on Mission Trip to Haiti with a team from Trinity Church, or simply sitting with residents at Warren Haven on Bingo night with other Rotarians from Hackettstown and Washington. Worth, in fact, has been a member of Rotary in Hackettstown for over 38 years, serving 2 years as President. In addition he has served on multiple local boards including Hackettstown Medical Center, Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center, and as a Trustee for Centenary University. 

The College has a long standing relationship with WRNJ, which has hosted the monthly show, Educationally Speaking, for many years. 

In 2010, Worth was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Warren County Hall of Fame, and he and his radio station have been honored by many other organizations over the years including most recently the Hackettstown Business Improvement District which named WRNJ its Partner of the Year.