When Montclair State’s distinctive College Hall opened in 1908, the occasion ushered in a new era of opportunity for those who wanted to become teachers, as well as for students in search of an education appropriate to the societal needs of the early 20th century. 

Nearly a hundred years later, we have built upon this rich heritage of educating teachers to create a comprehensive university offering strong undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, sciences and professions. Montclair State has become a university that enables students to lead productive lives in those fields appropriate to the societal needs of the 21st century.

The newest evidence of our growth as a center of learning and teaching excellence is University Hall, a facility remarkable both in itself and for all it represents. University Hall combines the elegance of Montclair State’s historic Spanish mission architecture with outstanding faculty and nationally recognized programs. 

In University Hall, all students and faculty of the nationally recognized College of Education and Human Services now reside under one roof, along with such noteworthy programs as the nation’s first Center of Pedagogy, the MSU Network for Educational Renewal, the ADP Center for Teacher Preparation and Learning Technologies, and the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children. 

University Hall also is about community, within and across disciplines, on and beyond campus. More than 5,000 teachers,     students and administrators from all of our six schools and colleges gather daily in University Hall’s state-of-the-art lecture halls and classrooms, as well as calm, inviting study areas. A conference center on the seventh floor is designed for events that further the academic mission of Montclair State while providing a sophisticated meeting space for the community at large.

University Hall takes teaching, and teaching tools, a generational leap forward. Its flexible lecture halls and learning labs can be mixed and matched with the latest technology to create a myriad of teaching environments. The Office of Information Technology, housed at the physical heart of the new building, speaks to the increasingly important role technology plays in teaching and learning.

Governor Corzine will join us on March 27 in dedicating this remarkable new building--a facility that will serve to enable tens of thousands of New Jersey students to prepare for successful lives. At the same time, we will pay tribute to our proud roots by joining the New Jersey Education Association in presenting the first Educator Medal of Honor to a New Jersey teacher who has made a unique contribution at the elementary or secondary school level.

We hope you will stop by University Hall and witness another milestone in the proud history of your alma mater.

Dr. Susan A. Cole, President, Montclair State University

What a year this promises to be. Our association continues to grow, we’re expanding our services and more of your fellow alumni are getting involved in Association activities on campus and across the country.

In October, despite torrential rains, we had a great turnout at Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. We enjoyed great food, great company and great music provided by the Dirdy Birdies Jug Band.

We’ve already entered 2006 and have an even greater number of events to boast about.

Visit us April 5 for Come Back to College Day. If you are a member of the class of ’57 or earlier, tour the newly opened University Hall, with breathtaking views of Manhattan and the New Jersey Mountains from the seventh-floor Conference Center.

The Class of ’56 will lead the Class of ’06 into commencement on May 19, and for the rest of the weekend, the Class of ’56 will celebrate with events on campus.

Join us at our annual meeting on May 20, where I will pass the presidential gavel to our newly elected president and leave the Alumni Board after 10 years of service.

Don’t forget to vote for the Alumni Association Board members. You can vote online at www.montclair.edu/alumni/ExecutiveBoard or receive a ballot by calling Alumni Relations at 973-655-4141.

So much has happened during my four years as president. Our association has become a member-based organization, we’ve established new scholarship endowments, we’ve strengthened our commitment and our working relationship with our alma mater, our staff has grown and our services to fellow alumni have grown even faster. My fellow Board members have done so much work I would need a column all to itself just to list their accomplishments. Become involved and come visit us.

On a sadder note for us, Catherine Katz, executive director of Alumni Relations, moved on to other employment. She has been a wonder to work with, and we’ll miss her energy and gracious charm. Good luck, Cathy.

I want to thank everyone it has been my pleasure to work with during my 10 years on the board, from the faculty, administration, support staff, catering staff and of course the Alumni Relations staff.

I thank you all for your hard work, your dedication to our alma mater and your good nature.

My best wishes for the continued growth of the Alumni Association and most importantly, to our alma mater.

Carpe Diem.

Wayne DeFeo '80, '82 M.A., President, MSU Alumni Association