October 2007
News & Notes

  
Convocation kicks off Centennial Celebrations
On Sept. 19, Montclair State officially kicked off its year of centennial celebrations with a convocation in the amphitheater. Faculty from each of the schools and colleges, wearing their academic regalia, converged in the amphitheater following an academic procession that wound its way through campus. President Susan A. Cole greeted faculty, staff and first-year students with an introduction to the festivities. Highlights included the MSU University Singers, the keynote address by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Richard A. Lynde and the release of 100 doves, marking the occasion.

To view more photos from the convocation and to see the new Montclair State centennial Web site, which includes a calendar of centennial events, history of the University, campus memories and more, click here.

Tennessee Alumni: Come see opera Elmer Gantry
Alumni in Tennessee are encouraged to attend the world premiere of Elmer Gantry, a new opera by Robert Aldridge, the director of MSU's John J. Cali School of Music. The premiere will be held at the James K. Polk Theater in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. Based on the classic novel by Sinclair Lewis, Elmer Gantry explores the role of revivalism in the early 20^th century. This is a great opportunity to see—and hear—for yourself the quality of the work being done at your alma mater.

The performances will take place on November 16, 18 and 20. To find out more and purchase tickets, go to nashvilleopera.org. If you plan to attend, please let us know—we’d love the opportunity to reconnect with you. Contact Bonita Kates at (973) 655-6792 or at katesb@mail.montclair.edu.

Alumni Connections will feature an article each month during the centennial year written by members of the Montclair State University Alumni Association. The retrospective stories will look back decade-by-decade at the school and the culture of the times. 

Alma Mater, dear Montclair: The '30s
“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” As the roaring ’20s came to a close with the last graduating class of the Montclair Normal School, our state and nation began the decade in the great economic depression. FDR is president; prohibition ends; the Dust Bowl ravages the Plains; public employees are paid with “scrip” or credit for their services; Hemmingway and Steinbeck lead a literary revolution; the Spanish Civil War takes place; the Lindbergh baby kidnapping makes headlines. Yet at Montclair, great things happened.

In 1932, Montclair State Teachers College, which began offering a four-year bachelor’s degree for secondary school teachers in 1927, is authorized to offer master’s degrees. Soon after, summer, part-time and extension courses were offered. 

The athletic program expanded, and the newly named college also got a new team name: the Indians. The traditional Native-American profile adorned with MSTC was emblazoned across all athletics uniforms. 

Publications include the yearbook, “The Palatine,” which becomes “La Campanilla,” then “La Campana”; the student paper, “The Pelican,” becomes “The Montclarion”; “Quarterly,” a literary magazine; and a handbook, “The Arrowhead.” The campus crackles with scholarship and student activities, including the formation of Players, a student theater company.

With the help of students and faculty, the amphitheater was constructed in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration. It becomes not only a formal and informal gathering place, but goes on to stand as a historical landmark on campus. In 1937, Sprague Field is dedicated during a game against Hofstra University.

The students shine despite crushing economic times. Many go on to remarkable things and use their successes to support their alma mater. Angelo Cali ’36, Herman ’37 and Margaret ’38 Sokol become significant benefactors, contributing to arts and science programs respectively. Alan Morehead and Walter Kops, both ’34, go on to become revered faculty members (the building housing College High is later named Morehead Hall while a lounge in Russ Hall is named after Kops.) Ed Leshowitz ’36 will have a recital hall in the Cali School of Music named in his honor. Emma Fantone ’36 will champion “media” educational use and Leonard Buchner ’37 will develop the psychological counseling center. Eleven will receive honorary doctorates from MSC, the most granted from any decade. Ruth Page ’32 will head the state school board association, while Fred Branca ’30 will be a key NJEA organizer. Eugene Maleska ’37 will be “The New York Times” crossword editor and a district school superintendent in New York City. Many will serve in World War II; many will become distinguished school leaders and teachers.

With the end of the decade and the Great Depression comes a sense of accomplishment: Through it all, Montclair State not only arrived—it thrived. And the stage was set for a future filled with hope.