A new annual tradition began this year when members of the classes of 1961 and earlier (50th and “50 plus” reunion classes) were invited back to campus to celebrate their milestone anniversaries at a reunion luncheon. The day was a great opportunity for alumni to renew old friendships, reminisce, and experience all the exciting changes that have taken place at Montclair State University since their student days. 

As part of the celebration organized by the Office of Alumni Relations, members of the class of 1961 participated in the Commencement exercises on Friday, May 20.

A half a century ago in 1961, the graduating class included 539 graduates, and twenty-six of those graduates walked down the aisle together again in recognition of their 50th reunion. In her opening remarks, Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole acknowledged these special guests, which sparked enthusiastic applause from the nearly four thousand newly-minted alumni, and their family and friends, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 1961 reunion celebration continued with a luncheon at University Hall and campus tours. At these events, the group discussed many things — how the world has changed and how it has stayed the same — and they certainly must have remembered their own graduation day! 

Carole Grehl Allgor ’61, a reunion committee member, said she was quite impressed with the Commencement ceremony and the growth of Montclair State. “The enthusiasm of the graduates at Commencement was contagious, and I got teary eyed,” she said. “Participating in the ceremony was very exciting.”

Joining their fellow alumni were the classes of 1956 and “50 plus,” who celebrated together at their own special events to honor their history at Montclair State.  William “Bill” Fantry ‘56 helped organize the reunion for the class of 1956. “Seeing each other after our own 50th reunion celebration five years ago was marvelous — we are truly like a big family,” Fantry said. “It is miraculous how much campus has changed – it is like a city within a city!” 

From San Diego, California, to Verona, New Jersey, while the years have changed everyone, there is one thing that remained the same for all the graduates — their pride in being alumni of Montclair State!

Join the experience and be a part of the 2011 Reunion Luncheon — even if you couldn’t be there — by viewing pictures of this very special day!