May 2009
News & Notes
Annual Dinner Honors Students and Alumni

Gathering to honor recipients of the Carpe Diem Award and to raise funds for student scholarships, 230 members of the University community and friends got together for the Montclair State University Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Dinner held on April 2 at the University Hall Conference Center.
The presentation of the Carpe Diem Awards, always a highlight of the Annual Dinner, was presided over by President Cole and Nader Tavakoli, Esq. '80, chair of the Montclair State University Foundation. The award, which honors particularly distinguished Montclair State alumni and friends for their outstanding professional and personal achievements, was presented to alumni Angelo J. Genova, Esq. ’75 (pictured left), co-founder of the law firm Genova, Burns & Vernoia, and Ajit “A.J.” Khubani ’84 (pictured right), founder, president, and CEO of TeleBrands Corporation.
Also recognized at the dinner were three Montclair State students, Jonathan Preciado, Maurice Torres, and Domonique Walker. The three have distinguished themselves as embodying the “Seize the Day” spirit of the University, and were therefore each honored with the Student Carpe Diem Award.
Fine dining, good company, and terrific entertainment—ably provided by the Montclair State University Wind Symphony under the direction of Professor Thomas McCauley—rounded out the evening, which judging from the reactions of the guests, was enjoyed by all.
Click here to view more photos from the event.
Montclair State Receives Largest Anonymous Gift Montclair State University has been the recipient of the largest anonymous gift in its history. The University was presented with a surprise $5 million gift by a representative of the donor last month. Most of the funds are designated for scholarships for women and minorities. The University has absolutely no information about the identity of the donor, but the representative of the donor is from a bona fide and substantial organization.
President Cole stated that, “To say that we are immensely grateful for this kindness would entirely understate the matter. Scholarship funds are absolutely critical to the mission of the University, and we never have enough scholarships to meet the needs of deserving students.”
For the full story and video, click here.
President Cole Gives Spring Address to MSU Community

Touching on topics ranging from the the many achievements of Montclair State students, faculty, and staff to the lack of state support for higher education, President Susan A. Cole delivered her annual spring address to the University Community at the Kasser Theater on April 22.
Topics of focus in the address included the proposed New Jersey state budget and the impact that it will have on the University and on students, and the importance of Montclair State to New Jersey, which President Cole illustrated by highlighting some of the University’s many outstanding graduates and their accomplishments.
President Cole also spoke of the need to continue to inform state legislators about the importance of public higher education to the state, and urged everyone to join the NJ College Promise Action Network to aid in this cause.
The full text of the President’s address is available at The Office of the President.
Alumni Gather at Events

On April 27, field hockey alumni took on current players in an annual matchup. According to head coach Beth Gottung, in this fun but competitive game, the students won by a score of 5-3. Twenty-one alumnae (19 took the field) from teams ranging from 2000-2009 and two former assistant coaches participated in the event against the 21 students. A post-game celebration was held at Alexus Steakhouse in Montclair.

Former Red Hawk football players attended the 5th Annual MSU Football Beefsteak on April 9 at the Cedar Grove VFW.

Members of the Bell Society (alumni who graduated in 1958 and earlier) gathered for an event on April 17 which included lunch and a performance of DanceWorks at the Alexander Kasser Theater. Pictured, back row (l to r): Thomas Langan '50, Frank Elia '49 '56 MA, Marie "Chickie" Scotti '49, Delores O'Keeffe Fusco '49; Front row (l to r): Ethel Strauss Berman '49, Marion Salvatore Bruno '49, Shirel Waton Lippe '49 '63 MA, Christine Prestifilippo DiGangi '49, Muriel Lubowitt Stern '49 '73 MA, Ruth Maltenfort Messineo '49.
Cast your ballot for the MSUAA Executive Board
Voting is ongoing for the 2009-2010 Executive Board of the Alumni Association.
Click here for a printable ballot. Signed ballots must be received by Friday, May 25.
Alumni Association Changes to Bylaws
Notification of proposed changes to the Alumni Association Bylaws regarding changes to membership have been officially posted. Please click here for detailed information.
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Carpe Diem Society Annual Luncheon
University Hall, May 7, 11:30 a.m.
Alumni and friends who have made estate or planned gifts to benefit Montclair State University are invited to the Society's Annual Luncheon. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Joseph T. Moore, Professor Emeritus of History and Social Studies Education. Moore has authored books and articles on topics ranging from war to sports, including "Montclair
State University, A Century of Triumph Over Circumstances." For information contact Judy Echeveria Linder '83 at 973-655-5454 or linderj@mail.montclair.edu.
Come Join Us for WOZA! Alexander Kasser Theater, May 9, 8 p.m.
The Black Alumni Chapter will be gathering for a performance of Woza! and a post-performance reception with the cast. For information or to RSVP contact Judith Mayo at 973-655-7105 or
mayoj@mail.montclair.edu.
MSU Educator Alumni Reception, Bloomfield School District, May 12, 3:45 -5:15 p.m.
Montclair State alumni educators in the Bloomfield school district are invited to a reception in the Bloomfield High School cafeteria to reminisce about their alma mater and share their teaching experiences with one another. Presentations will be given by Montclair State's Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, Ada Beth Cutler; faculty member Cheryl Hopper, Director of the Network for Education Renewal, Center of Pedagogy; and the Bloomfield superintendent. For information or to RSVP contact Myrtis Yake at 973-655-4036 or yakem@mail.montclair.edu.
NJ Jackals Hold Open Tryouts; Season Opener Set
Prior to the team's home season opener on June 1 at Yogi Berra Stadium against Quebec, the Jackals are hosting a variety of events to get their fans involved:
Open tryouts, May 14, 7:30 a.m., Yogi Berra Stadium
For more information on these events and for ticket information, click here or call 973-746-7434.
Montclair State hosts NCAA Softball Championship, May 15-19
Montclair State University, home the Montclair State University Softball Stadium and the Yogi Berra Museum, will be the site of the 2009 NCAA Division III Softball Championship. The 15-game tournament, played over the course of five days, will take place May 15-19. A champion will emerge from the eight-team double elimination play. The original field of 59 teams will be announced on Monday, May 4.
"We are very proud to host the 2009 NCAA Division III Softball Championships this year," says Holly Gera, Montclair State's director of athletics. "We are looking forward to sharing our campus and our outstanding facilities with the visiting teams and their families."
The history of softball at Montclair State University began in 1966 and, to date, Montclair State has won 965 games, including three New Jersey Athletic Conference championships and five NCAA regional titles. Montclair State has appeared five times
in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship, the last in 1997 when it finished as the national runner-up.
"The softball committee and I are confident that Montclair State will do an outstanding job of hosting the softball championship," states Jan Gentry, NCAA assistant director of championships.
The softball championship began in 1982 with Eastern Connecticut State capturing the title over host Trenton State College. Current Montclair State head coach Anita Kubicka, who last month earned her 600th victory at the helm of the MSU team, played in that final.
Check here for more information and ticketing.
Audrey Vincentz Leef '43 to be honored at Graduate Convocation, May 17, 7 p.m., MSU amphitheater
Rev. Dr. Audrey V. Leef will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters during MSU's Graduate Program convocation. Since her graduation, Leef has remained an active member of the campus community, serving as Protestant Chaplain of the Campus Ministry Council, as well as on the MSU Foundation Board and Alumni Association Board.
Other honorary degree recipients are: Lucille E. Davy, Doctor of Laws, College of Education and Human Services; Kornel Terplan, Doctor of Letters, College of the Arts; Lisa Jackson, Doctor of Science, College of Science and Mathematics; James M. Cracchiolo, Doctor of Humane Letters, School of Business; Jonathan H. Alter, Doctor of Letters, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Class of 1959 Golden Anniversary, May 21 - 22
Members of the golden anniversary class will celebrate on May 21 with an upscale class reception/cocktail party at MSU's University Hall Conference Center. The following day, they will be honored at Montclair State’s 2009 Commencement exercises at the Izod Center in East Rutherford. Wearing traditional regalia: academic caps and gowns and the “official” anniversary sash, these proud alumni will lead the procession of graduates into the arena. Following Commencement, members of the 50th reunion class will be transported back to campus for a special lunch buffet in the Student Center Formal Dining Room.
Commencement, Friday, May 22, Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
Honorary Degree Recipients: The Honorable Cory A. Booker, Doctor of Laws and John J. Cali, Doctor of Letters.
MSUAA Member Appreciation Brunch
& Annual Meeting,
May 30, 10:00 a.m.
All active members of the MSUAA are invited to attend this brunch at the University Hall Conference Center in honor of the valued members who support the programs and services of the Association. If you are unsure of your membership status, please call
973-655-4141 for verification. Immediately following brunch will be the MSUAA annual meeting where the year's accomplishments will be highlighted, scholarships will be awarded and board inductions will take place.
May-August: Summer Sessions
Summer Sessions provides you with an opportunity to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies and take advantage of special educational and cultural activities. A wide range of undergraduate and graduate credit courses is offered in addition to special non-credit and credit programs, workshops, study abroad, and summer camps for children and youth. Our Summer A to Z Index will lead you to additional information on these and more. For more information, stop by College Hall Room 215; call: 973-655-4352; fax: 973-655-7851; e-mail summer@montclair.edu or click here.
Graduate Admissions Accepting Applications for the Fall
It's not too early to begin thinking about applying for a graduate degree, certification or certificate from Montclair State University. Among the advantages offered by the University are:
Outstanding graduate programs in numerous fields with nationally-recognized faculty and accreditation; flexible course schedules for both full-time students and working professionals, including nights, weekend, accelerated and Web-enhanced course options; facilities that are on the cutting edge of learning and technology; program faculty and staff dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the graduate population.
You may begin your graduate journey by completing an application online. To meet with a graduate counselor or for more information, call the Office of Graduate Admissions and Support Services at 973-655-5147 or e-mail graduate.school@montclair.edu.
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