Montclair State University

SAVE the Dates!

Class of 1960 - get ready to celebrate your 50th Anniversary!

Time to mark your calendars
May 20-21, 2010

This is your year to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of your graduation from Montclair State.  It’s an amazing milestone and worthy of being celebrated.

Each year, our esteemed golden anniversary class gathers to honor the occasion with two very special events.
Your reunion celebration will begin on Thursday, May 20, with a 50th reunion class reception; and on Friday, May 21, you and your classmates are invited to participate in the University’s Commencement Ceremony by leading the procession of graduates at the IZOD Center complete with academic regalia and commemorative gold stoles. We’ll provide transportation to the arena and back to campus. To conclude the reunion celebrations you will be joining other reunion classes for “A Recognition Luncheon” honoring your class. We encourage you to come to both events for a wonderful opportunity to be recognized upon reaching this milestone and to reconnect with old friends and your alma mater.

We have a small reunion committee—and we are ready to get things started! We have lots to plan, but the most important happening is an opportunity to touch base with classmates and renew old friendships. 

Class representatives play a very important role in the success of any reunion. You can help ensure that your class has the best possible time by: reaching out to your class chair committee members by phone, e-mail and/or letter and help them to plan a memorable event; planning to attend the celebration; and by helping to compile information for class notes, memories, and/or stories.

Each year we create a commemorative “yearbook” for the 50th anniversary class which we distribute to participants at the reunion festivities. We hope that you’ll take a few minutes to complete the online questionnaire so that your classmates can read all about your successes, travels, family and professional accomplishments (Please complete even if you are unable to attend).

If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Winsome Wynter in the Office of Alumni Relations at 973-655-4141 or e-mail: alumni@mail.montclair.edu.

Recent Events

Homecoming 2009 . . . Hundreds celebrated with us October 3, 2009
The threat of rain didn’t dampen the Red Hawk spirit of those who attended Montclair State University’s 2009 Homecoming on October 3 as hundreds of people came to campus for a fun-filled day of activities. Click here for details and photos.

September 2009
Bell Society River Lady Cruise, Tues. Sept. 22

Bell Society members took their maiden voyage aboard The River Lady, an 85 ft. paddlewheeler capturing the ambience of a 19th Century Mississippi Paddleboat.
Thirty five alumni and their guests enjoyed a cruise along the Barnegat Bey and Toms River. A delicious lunch and group photo followed. A good time was had by all.

MAY 2009
50th Anniversary Class Reunion

Members of the Class of 1959 celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 21 and 22. They began their celebration with an upscale cocktail party on May 21 in the University Hall Conference Center. The next day, members of the Class of ‘59 were honored at Montclair State's Centennial Commencement. The reunion class led the special ceremony wearing academic caps and gowns and the "official" golden anniversary sash. Following Commencement, the Class of 1959 gathered to reminisce at a luncheon in their honor.

Carpe Diem Society Annual Luncheon
Alumni and friends who have made estate or planned gifts to benefit Montclair State University got together for the Society's Annual Luncheon. Dr. Joseph T. Moore, Professor Emeritus of History and Social Studies Education was the Keynote speaker.

Black Alulmni Chapter Reception
Past BAC members and those interested in joining came to campus for a reception following the performance of
Woza at Alexander Kasser Theater.

APRIL 2009
Bell Society Gathering
The Bell Society (alumni who graduated in 1958 and earlier) came to campus on April 17 to enjoy lunch and take in the performance of DanceWorks at the Alexander Kasser Theater.

Annual Scholarship Dinner
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 Susan A. Cole and Nader Tavakoli, Esq., 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, co-founder of the law firm Genova, Burns & Vernoia, and Ajit “A.J.” Khubani ’84, founder, president, and CEO of TeleBrands Corporation. Pictured above, Carpe Diem Award winners Angelo J. Genova, Esq. '75 (left) and A.J. Khubani '84 (right) with President Susan A. Cole.

Also recognized at the dinner were three Montclair State students, Jonathan Preciado, Maurice Torres, and Domonique Walker ’09. 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.

FEBRUARY 2009
Washington D.C.
A brunch reception was held for D.C. area alumni on Sun., Feb. 8 at The Washington Center, 1333 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Raleigh, North Carolina
A reception was held for alumni living in the Raleigh/Durham area on Feb. 4. Kathy Walsh, of University Advancement, met with the group at the Clarion Downtown hotel. This initial group expreseed an interest in forming an Alumni Chapter and plan to meet again in the near future.

DECEMBER 2008
Bell Society Initial Meeting

Pictured (LtoR): Raymond Osborne '58 '71 MA, William Liess '58, Audrey Vincentz Leef '43, George Iannacone '54 '59 MA, Marie (Chickie) Mauriello Scotti '49, Helyn Popovsky Ostroff '50 and Emma Marshall Field '50.
Alumni who have already celebrated their 50th reunions returned to Montclair State to discuss the potential of forming an official group as a way to stay connected with each other and the University. Members of the new "Bell Society," were excited to begin making plans for another event in the spring as well as other programming opportunities.

NOVEMBER 2008
Alumni Educators Reception
South Orange-Maplewood School District

Montclair State alumni educators in the South Orange/Maplewood school district gathered in the Columbia High School cafeteria to reminisce about their alma mater and share their teaching experiences with one another.

Alumni Reception in Sanibel
Dr. Robert Prezant, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics met with alumni and friends at
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel.

OCTOBER 2008
Homecoming

Despite the early morning grey skies and afternoon wind and rain the campus enjoyed a day-long celebration that included entertainment in Memorial Auditorium, with students celebrating the music of their favorite New Jerseyans.
The Red Hawks defeated TCNJ's Lions, 15-0.

The day included several alumni gatherings, including that of the alumni brothers of Lambda Chi Delta fraternity who came back to campus from all over the country (some as far as Arizona and Florida) for a Homecoming reunion of their own. In honor of the University's centennial, Lambda Chi Delta (photo below) alumni brothers presented a generous gift to the Alumni Association and Foundation.
.
Standing (l to r) Sam Roseman '68, Jim Goldsmith '68, Bob Pace '60, Richard Kelly '68 '70 M.A. and John Ferraro '66 '78 M.A. Seated (l to r) Bob Williams '66, Jack Siry '68, Jack Jennings '61, Greg Nicholson '72 '76 M.A.and Don Cairns '61. Also present, taking the photo, Bob Willey '63.


SEPTEMBER 2008
Centennial Celebration
Thousands came to help the University celebrate the Centennial on Sept. 20, 2008.
The campus was alive with music, food, lectures, children's activities and crowds of people from the campus community including students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighbors from surrounding local communities.