This year, Montclair State University celebrates its centennial year. It has been a time of reflection and visioning. Centennial celebrations featured a number of memorable events to commemorate the University’s growth and expansion during the past century, reconnecting alumni with the University and with each other. It has also been a time for looking forward, examining the needs of the University and its role in this next century. 

Alumni have played a major role throughout the year. The University’s administration has taken great pride in acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of the alumni. We, as alumni, join in celebrating the success of the University and rejoice in the role Montclair State has played in our lives.

During this centennial year, I am pleased to inform you that the MSUAA has pledged a $400,000 contribution to the University to be paid in annual installments over the next eight years. This brings the MSUAA total contributions, over the past 10 years, to $1 million—$500,000 for the amphitheater restoration project, $100,000 to kick off the centennial celebration and, now, $400,000 to support University advancement efforts.  This is an unprecedented amount from the MSUAA in the University’s history. Your continued support and contributions have made this possible.

As we look to the next century, one of our goals is to improve alumni relations. Although there are approximately 96,000 alumni scattered around the globe, we remain connected to only a few—probably fewer than 10 percent. Your Alumni Association has been in conversations with the University’s administration to assist in improving our outreach efforts. As part of a joint initiative, we are poised to conduct an alumni relations study to determine how best we can reach out and reconnect with our fellow alumni.  Following the study, a task force will be convened to develop plans based on the proposed recommendations. These plans will serve as our joint strategic plan to bring alumni home.

Finally, I must say that it has been an honor and a privilege to have served as your MSUAA president over the past two years and at this moment in time—the centennial year.  There is a genuine spirit of camaraderie that connects us, as evidenced by those of you whom I met at alumni gatherings and receptions. There is a sense of purpose that continues to embody the Montclair experience. I am proud to be a small part of that history. As the University looks forward to its next hundred years, I am confident that we, the alumni, will continue to assist in shaping the future of our beloved alma mater.

Carpe futura!

- Frank Alvarez ’76, president, Montclair State University Alumni Association