A Message From the President

This is an exciting and eventful time for Montclair State University and The Campaign for the Second Century.

The John J. Cali School of Music, the only university based school of music in New Jersey, has been named in recognition of the generosity and sustained support shown to Montclair State by the family of John J. Cali, who is one of New Jersey’s most prominent real estate industry leaders. Rose Cali '80, a Montclair State alumna and longtime member of our Board of Trustees, and John are true friends of the University.

The $5 million gift from the Cali family and foundation will provide much-needed scholarships for our talented music students and establish a professorship in the John J. Cali School of Music.

Edward Leshowitz '36, a lifelong friend and business associate of the Calis, has provided a $1 million gift to name the School’s new recital hall in memory of his son, who was a musician. The 250-seat Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall will provide a dedicated and acoustically superb venue for student, faculty, and professional music performances throughout the year.

Our George Segal Gallery recently hosted an exhibition of Alexander Calder’s magnificent wall hangings with support from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The wall hangings were designed by Calder and produced by Guatemalan weavers in the 1970s to benefit earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

The entire Montclair State community was saddened by the passing of Margaret McCormack Sokol '38, who with her late husband Dr. Herman Sokol '37 was a longtime friend and supporter of Montclair State and a renowned philanthropist. For many years, their generosity has been seen and felt throughout campus. Their good works will continue to benefit our students, faculty, and the entire Montclair State community for a long time to come. Margaret and Herman named Montclair State as a primary beneficiary in their will, and that generous act will yield in excess of $6 million for scholarships, faculty research support, and an endowed chair for the College of Science and Mathematics.

Thanks to our dedicated alumni and friends such as Rose Cali, Edward Leshowitz, and Margaret McCormack Sokol, The Campaign for the Second Century is building a stronger future for Montclair State University and its students. I offer my sincere thanks to each and every one of you who have helped us reach this point in the Campaign, with a special thanks to our dedicated volunteers and The Campaign for the Second Century leadership committee, directed by co-chairs Douglas L. Kennedy and Paul V. Stahlin '74.

Thank you for your support.
Susan A. Cole
President
Montclair State University