Leadership - Rev. Dr. Audrey Vincentz Leef ’43

Rev. Dr. Audrey Vincentz Leef '43 '09 Hon., pictured left, has been part of Montclair State for nearly 70 years. "I came to campus in 1939 as a very young valedictorian," she recalls fondly. "I've been grateful to Montclair ever since then for the foundation that it gave me." She has established the Audrey V. Leef Scholarship, which will continue her legacy of leadership,
service, and dedication to Montclair State for many years to come.

"Fifteen percent of our classmates were the valedictorians of their high schools," Audrey says proudly. "There were 500 students and 50 faculty members. The school was small and homey." As a student she was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi honor society, cheerleading, dance club, and the Student Government Association.

Audrey graduated in 1943 with a degree in mathematics. Over the years, she has served Montclair State steadfastly as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, campus chaplain, a member of the Alumni Association Board (she was its President from 1976 to 1978), and Alumni Representative to the Board of Trustees. She has been a member of the MSU Foundation Board since 1972. In 1985 she was recognized with an Alumni Citation Award. She received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University in 2009.

"I still teach an adjunct course, so in essence I've been here since 1966 as faculty," Audrey adds. She also is a Member Emerita of the Alumni Association Board and Professor Emerita of the mathematics department.

"I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Montclair," Audrey shares. "Things were very difficult in 1939. We were still in the Depression and most of us were in that same situation, where we didn't have much money. That's why so many of us are grateful for the opportunities that Montclair gave us."