"I chose Montclair State simply because I had a feeling it was the right place for me."

-Jeannette Mammaro

Jeannette Mammaro is a self-proclaimed country girl who grew up in Three Bridges, a New Jersey town so small and remote, she said people from neighboring towns never heard of it. When the time came to choose a college, she wanted to escape her sheltered life in bucolic Hunterdon County to explore city life, which led her to Montclair State.

Now that her college career is winding down, the Student Government Association (SGA) president is ready to make another move, but not back to the country. Mammaro, a speech communication major, is working two jobs to save enough money so she can rent an apartment in the area next month. Tack onto that the 15 credits she's taking this semester, her SGA presidential responsibilities and her co-curricular activities, while maintaining what she calls a "minimal social life."

Mammaro recently reflected on her decision to attend Montclair State and on her college career.

Q: What do you think of your decision to attend Montclair State, now that you're at the end of your college career?
A: After going to parochial school my entire life and growing up in the country, I wanted to get away, explore and learn about life in the city. I chose Montclair State simply because I had a feeling it was the right place for me. The affordable tuition also influenced my decision. I didn't even come in for a campus tour because I just knew this is where I wanted to be. I loved it from the very first day. It was the best decision of my life, one I've never regretted.

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: I want to get involved in the field of media because I've always been fascinated by television, radio and film. That's where my career path is headed. I was offered an internship this summer at New Jersey Network News in Newark, and I'm waiting to hear back from radio station Z-100.

Q: What did you accomplish as SGA president?
A: I'd like to think I did something other presidents hadn't done before. Traditionally the SGA president disappears in the second semester. I've stayed involved right to the end and I've attended every SGA meeting. I planned the SGA banquet and I've promoted the SGA to the campus community, especially to the freshmen, because that's where you have to start to get students excited and involved in student activities. We worked hard all summer and my executive board did an amazing job. It reflected this year in our legislature.

I'm most proud that I've left Chris Fitzpatrick, the incoming SGA president, in a good financial position. A few years ago an SGA president outspent the budget by outrageous sums of money, leaving this administration to clean up that entire mess. It smacked me in the face, but I was able to bring our heads above water.

Q: Name something you didn't accomplish that you would like to see the next president tackle.
A: School spirit. I wanted to work on that because I love Montclair State and I make no bones about it. I wanted everybody to be as passionate and motivated to get involved as I was. The financial crisis I stepped into put a damper on my original effort because my time and energy went into other things, so the school spirit issue took a back burner. The events of 9-11 also didn't help the situation.

Q: What are your feelings about being part of the first class to graduate after 9-11?
A: Students, faculty and administration have been affected by it. There probably weren't as many events because the attack drained school spirit. How can you have school spirit when you begin the year with such a tragedy? I think about that day a lot, and I personally knew someone who was killed. It hasn't settled in my head. It's almost like that day really couldn't have happened, that it was a hoax like "War of the Worlds." I don't think my class or the students here have completely recovered from it, and it's been carried through this entire school year. I hope next year will be different so they can get off to a better start.

Q: Can you give us a hint to what you will tell the class of 2002 at commencement?
A: I will briefly reflect on the incidents of 9-11. I'm a firm believer in dreams, so that's what I'll focus on. You have to have a dream and you have to follow that dream. That's the only way you're going to reach your goals. I'm optimistic and I believe that anything you think you can do, you can do.

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