Valued Volunteers: Rev. Dr. Audrey Vincentz Leef '43

Rev. Dr. Audrey Vincentz Leef '43 has been part of Montclair State for over 60 years. "I came to campus in 1939 as a very young valedictorian," she recalls. "Fifteen percent of our class were valedictorians. There were 500 students, 50 faculty, and the school was small and homey. I've been grateful to Montclair ever since then for the foundation that it's given me."

She graduated in 1943 with a degree in mathematics. Over the years, she has served Montclair State as a faculty member, campus chaplain, a member of the Alumni Association Board (she was its President from 1976-78), Alumni Representative to the MSU Board of Trustees and a member of the MSU Foundation Board since 1972. In 1985 she was recognized with an Alumni Citation Award. She recently made a Campaign gift for the Audrey V. Leef Scholarship, which will continue her legacy of service and dedication to Montclair State for many years to come.

"I still teach an adjunct course, so in essence I've been here since 1966 as faculty," she says proudly. She also serves as a Member Emerita of the Alumni Association Board and Professor Emerita of the mathematics department.

"I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Montclair," Leef shares. "Things were very difficult in 1939. We were still in the Depression and most of us were in that same situation, where we didn't have much money. That's why so many of us are grateful for the opportunities that Montclair gave us."