Montclair State to graduate more than 3,000
University celebrates largest class in its 98-year history
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Martha Spera
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Montclair, N.J. -- Montclair State University will award degrees to 3,297 graduates at its commencement ceremony May 19 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford. This is the largest graduating class in the University's 98-year history.
The University will award 2,501 bachelor's degrees; 788 master's degrees; and eight doctoral degrees. Honorary degrees will be awarded to Richard J. Codey, who served as New Jersey's 53 rd governor, and Dr. Yu Lizhong, president of East China Normal University.
Governor Codey, who will receive a doctor of laws, honoris causa, was first elected to the Legislature as an assemblyman at age 26. While a member of the Assembly, the Orange resident chaired the State Government Committee for six years and played a central role in the development of New Jersey's Casino Control Act. He served four terms in the Assembly and five terms in the Senate before becoming Governor in 2004. He returned to the State Senate in 2006 and represents the 27 th legislative district in Essex County.
A leading expert on environmental change, Dr.Yu presides over East China Normal University, one of China's leading institutions of higher education best known for its liberal arts and sciences programs. As a specialist in coastal-estuarine environmental pollution and environmental magnetism, Yu was one of the first two scholars to participate in Montclair State's International Visiting Professor Program established in 2001 to foster collaborative relationships with other globally focused institutions of higher education around the world. Yu will receive a doctor of science, honoris causa.
Four other honorary degrees will be awarded at convocation ceremonies held prior to commencement. Dr. Lawrence Goldman, founding president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, will receive a doctor of letters, honoris causa, at the School of the Arts convocation May 12. New Jersey State Attorney General Zulima V. Farber will return to her alma mater on May 13 to receive a doctor of laws, honoris causa, at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences convocation. The College of Science and Mathematics will honor renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle with a doctor of science, honoris causa, at its convocation ceremony May 15. Montclair State alumna Nel Noddings, who has dedicated her life to education, will receive a doctor of letters, honoris causa, at the College of Education and Human Services convocation May 16. The School of Business will conclude the convocation ceremonies when it honors its graduates May 17.
The Graduate School will hold a convocation May 14 to honors its 788 master's degree candidates and eight doctoral degree candidates. Montclair State awarded its first doctoral degree in 2004. This year's doctoral recipients are Raymond Siegrist of Demarest, Nadia Stoyanova Kennedy of Montclair, Pablo Cevallos Estarellas of Beacon, N.Y., and Michelle Sarver of Westwood receiving the doctor of education in pedagogy, and Tiffany Leach-Berth of Lawrenceville, Dassan Ali of Brooklyn, N.Y., Rachel Sarill of Marlboro and Jasen Ruiz of the Bronx, N.Y. receiving the doctor of science in audiology. MSU's doctor of science in audiology (Sc.D.) is the only program of its kind in New Jersey and one of only 59 programs in the nation.
The May 19 commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Additional information can be found at www.montclair.edu/commencement . Kirsten Brown of Union, who is earning a bachelor's degree in speech communication, is this year's senior speaker. Representing the Graduate School is Montclair resident Christopher Kelly, who earned a master's degree in Spanish.
Montclair State is New Jersey's second largest and fastest growing university. It offers the advantages of a large university--a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body--combined with a small college's attention to students.
May 3, 2006
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