August 2007
News & Notes
 

Ready, Set, Celebrate! Gearing up for our 100th Anniversary
September marks the beginning of a year-long celebration commemorating Montclair State's 100th anniversary. If you haven't been to campus in a long time, this is the time to come back.  Centennial flags will be gracing the campus, commemorative items will be available in the Bookstore (like these, being worn by alumna Alexandra Thelin '05)beginning August 27 and the memorabilia that has been collected will be on display in Sprague Library.(It's not too late to contribute: see the sidebar to the left for details.) Throughout the year, the campus will celebrate the centennial through a variety of activities and events for students, alumni, faculty, staff and neighboring communities. (See When & Where for details).
 

Beginning with this issue, 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 first decade.

In 1903, plans for a second state teacher training program for the preparation of K-8 teachers received state approval and a 25-acre piece of land in Montclair was chosen as its home.

Under the guidance of Edward Russ, who chaired the state board building committee, construction started in 1907. Russ had recently visited California and was so taken with the Spanish-mission style of the buildings he implemented the design for the campus of the Montclair Normal School.

On September 28, 1908, a formal dedication was held with then-Governor John Franklin Fort as the guest speaker and the Montclair Normal School, under the administration of principal Dr. Charles S. Chapin, opened with more than 180 students enrolled in a two year program for a state teaching certificate. Of the 180, only five students were male. 

The following year, enrollment increased by 100, with 10 male students. Most students commuted (via trolley or railroad). In 1910, the Montclair Normal School graduated its first class of 45, including William O. Trapp, who went on to earn a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1929.

1911 marked the formation of the Alumni Association by Chapin and the first group of alumni who created an organization committed to maintaining and cultivating among its members a sense of pride for their alma mater and to support and promote the interests of the school.

In 1912, Russ passed away, leaving a large gift which goes to building Russ Hall, the campus’ first dorm to house students in 1915. 

The era was filled with change: the first “unsinkable” ocean liner; the election of New Jersey’s Governor Woodrow Wilson as President; the country’s first World War… while on campus much stayed the same: Red Cross activities, holiday assemblies, spring socials. Yet with all that we know about the times, little is documented. There were no yearbooks, no student newspapers. We are certain, though, that the recognition and respect of this institution was founded by those first students, alumni and faculty.