June 2007
News & Notes

    
A Day to Celebrate                                        
Eleven members of the Class of 1957 celebrating their 50th anniversary, were honored at Montclair State's 2007 Commencement exercises at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford on May 18. Wearing what has become the traditional regalia for the honorees: academic caps and gowns and the "official" golden anniversary sash, our proud alumni marched with the procession, leading the 2007 graduates into the Arena.

Whoopi Goldberg, acclaimed actress and performer, producer and author, received an honorary degree and addressed Montclair State University's Class of 2007 at the Commencement ceremony. Goldberg received an honorary Doctor of Letters, one of six honorary doctorates the University bestowed during a week of convocation ceremonies leading up to graduation day.

In addition to Goldberg, honorary degrees at convocation ceremonies this year went to: Bobbi Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics; José L. Fuentes, Judge, Appellate Division, Superior Court of New Jersey; Maxine Greene, educational philosopher and the William F. Russell Professor in the Foundations of Education (emerita) at Columbia University Teachers College; Alan I. Leshner, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science and Executive Publisher, Science; and Kevin Ryan, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Golden Anniversary Reunites Classmates
Following Commencement the Class of 1957 had a chance to relax and reminisce at a luncheon in their honor. On Saturday, May 19, they were joined by fellow alumni from their class at a special dinner dance in the University Hall Conference Center where they celebrated their auspicious milestone. To view photos from the Class of '57 reunion click here: www.harvardstudio.com/photos/msuaa2/. A gallery of photos available for purchase can be viewed here;
www.harvardstudio.com/events/.

Alumni Association Takes Care of Business
On Saturday, May 19, members of the Montclair State University Alumni Association came to campus for brunch and the MSUAA Annual Meeting in the University Hall Conference Center. Alumni Association members representing every decade from 1940 to 200 and several members of the Class of 2007 attended.

President Frank Alvarez '76 reported on the year's accomplishments in the areas of membership, chapter development, alumni events, communications and more.

Highlights of the meeting included: The presentation of certificates to several scholarship recipients for the 07/08 academic year who were on hand to be recognized for their achievement.

And the Board was pleased to present two checks: one to Vice President for University Advancement, Dr. Thomas J. Haynes for the amphitheater restoration project, bringing the MSUAA's total giving to $500,000;

   
                                                                          Photo:HarvardStudio

and one to Provost Richard Lynde, Chair of the Centennial Committee in the amount of $100,000 to contribute to the University's Centennial Celebrations in the upcoming year.

                                                                                                                                                              Photo:HarvardStudio
To view a slide show of the Annual Meeting and Brunch, click here:
www.harvardstudio.com/photos/msuaa1/.

A Meeting of the Minds
Fifteen MSU alumni superintendents gathered for the Seventh Annual Superintendent’s Breakfast for current and retired alumni school superintendents on May 10 in the Alumni House. This annul event was hosted by MSUAA President Frank Alvarez and MSUAA Executive Board Member George Iannacone. Dr. Ada Beth Cutler, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, joined the group as they exchanged ideas, shared experiences and renewed friendships.