Campus News

UNICO makes pledge to establish endowed chair

UNICO National, the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States, will join with Montclair State University in raising $1.25 million to establish an endowed chair in Italian and Italian-American Studies.

"Montclair State is honored by this distinction and is uniquely positioned to support an endowed chair in Italian and Italian-American Studies," said Montclair State President Susan A. Cole. "The University already offers a major, minor and teaching certification in Italian, and these programs have grown steadily and have been enriched by our programming, such as our Summer Institute at the University of Siena and our Italian Film Festival.

"Thanks to the wonderful support offered by UNICO National, the addition of an endowed chair will support the continued growth in scholarship, education and community outreach," Cole added.

Joseph Coccia Jr., past national president of UNICO National and head of Italian Studies Chairs and Fellowships for the organization, said the endowed chair is an important factor in preserving an illustrious national heritage.

"By co-sponsoring Italian Studies chairs and fellowships throughout the United States, we believe UNICO National is continually renewing the spirit vital to maintaining the legacy of our rich heritage and culture," Coccia said.

Richard Gigliotti, dean of Montclair State's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, outlined to delegates at UNICO National's annual convention in St. Louis the importance of such a chair for New Jersey higher education.

"UNICO National's decision to endow this chair in Italian-American Studies at Montclair State is indeed wonderful news," he said. "UNICO's support will enable the occupant of the endowed chair to fully integrate cutting-edge scholarship and top-level teaching in Italian-American Studies. Of equal importance, the professorship also will help to establish and maintain a public program of Italian-American Studies that will strengthen and solidify Montclair State's position as a center of dynamic programs in issues related to Italian-American culture.

"Through their generosity, the organization's leaders have again shown that UNICO stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity to serve," Gigliotti added.

UNICO National, founded in 1922, numbers 6,000 members nationwide who work to support charitable, educational, scientific and literary projects while promoting Italian heritage and combating negative stereotyping.

A kick-off celebration for the fund-raising drive will be held Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Il Tulipano restaurant on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. For more information, call Cynthia Barnes at 973-655-4344.

Athletic director receives Garden State Award

Holly Gera, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, and Gregory L. Waters, vice president for Institutional Advancement.

Holly Gera '79, Montclair State's director of Intercollegiate Athletics, received the Garden State Award presented by the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey (CAANJ) at a recent luncheon.

The Award is given annually to an individual who has made substantial and enduring contributions to the development of intercollegiate athletics in the state. Gera is the second Montclair State administrator to be chosen for the award. Former Athletic Director William Dioguardi received the award in 1986.

"I'm touched and honored to be included in the company of past Garden State Award winners," Gera said at the ceremony. "From the first recipient, Dr. Mary Rice in 1984, to last year's awardee, Flo Labenski, the list represents a veritable history of college athletics in New Jersey. I respect and admire the past award winners for their dedication, loyalty and sense of service to intercollegiate athletics."

Gregory Waters, vice president for Institutional Advancement, said, "Everyone at Montclair State knows what an excellent job Holly does in athletics, but it is always terrific when others in the state acknowledge the importance of her contributions as well. In this field, competition is a way of life. To be honored by New Jersey's finest is a distinction of significant proportions."

Gera is involved with many NCAA committees, including her nationally recognized work with softball, and is a strong advocate of physical education and women's awareness groups.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Montclair State on top

Montclair State University is ranked in the "Top Tier" among "Best Universities -- Master's" in the North in U.S. News & World Report's 2002 college rankings.

"We are pleased that we are again ranked among the very best universities by U.S. News and World Report," said President Susan A. Cole. "It is satisfying to have national validation of our success, vitality and continued growth. Nevertheless, like many other college presidents, I don't necessarily feel that these rankings are the best indicators of a university's quality. If the data on which the report is based is well understood, then it can be useful to potential students and their families. But it's important to recognize that judging a university is far more complex than simply adding up a few numerical indicators.
"At Montclair State, we pride ourselves on providing a quality higher education at an affordable cost. From our perspective, the best indicator of how successful we are is what our students tell us about the quality of the education we provide and the subsequent success of our graduates in their professions or in advanced study."

Montclair State is ranked sixth among public universities and 38th in the North among the 573 public and private institutions listed in the "Best Universities -- Master's" category. U.S. News ranks the institutions in this category into four tiers.
MSU, which was previously ranked among "Regional Universities," was moved to the "Best Universities -- Master's" category this year, along with hundreds of others.

Also, for the fifth straight year, Montclair State has been labeled an educational leader by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine.

The University was selected as a "Publisher's Pick" in the magazine's Nov. 19 issue, and was cited as one of the "Top 100 Schools Graduating Hispanics" nationally, the fourth time the University has been so honored.

"Montclair State is proud of the diversity and cultural richness of our University community," said President Cole. "New Jersey's Hispanic community is growing rapidly, and we are proud to be an important and successful educational resource for this ambitious population."

Cole named to Governor's Transition Team

Montclair State President Susan A. Cole was named in November to the transition team of New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Cole co-chaired the Higher Education transition committee along with Tom Kean, president of Drew University, Rev. Dr. William Howard, pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, and Joseph Doria, N.J. Assembly minority leader.

"These individuals have offered to give of their time and their wisdom to help us begin this important work," McGreevey said at the time of the appointments. "They bring decades of experience and a deep understanding of the complexities of the work before us. We are fortunate to have their help."

Pfizer ‘adopts' MSU

Pfizer, Inc. has selected Montclair State University for its prestigious "Adopt a College" program to encourage more students to consider career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.

Alan Oppenheim, dean of the School of Business, accepts a check from alumna Dawn Adams-Harmon ’85, district manager of Pfizer, to create a scholarship for students interested in careers in the pharmaceutical industry. At right is John McGinnis, chair of the Marketing Department.

As part of its program, Pfizer will create a $2,000 scholarship, the Pfizer Sales and Marketing Award, at Montclair State. Two $1,000 tuition credits will be awarded annually to juniors and first-semester seniors who demonstrate significant potential for success in a pharmaceutical sales career.

"We are excited about our relationship with Pfizer," said John McGinnis, chair of the Marketing Department. "I think this award will encourage students to explore career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, we feel this award recognizes the valuable contribution of Montclair State in providing top-notch graduates to our state's vital pharmaceutical industry."

McGinnis said the new relationship transcends dollars and cents. He noted that Dawn Adams-Harmon, district manager of Pfizer and a 1985 graduate of Montclair State, recently spoke for the second time in the Marketing Department's Sales Concepts and Practices class about the challenges of selling in the pharmaceutical industry.

"Having professionals like Dawn speak in our classes not only connects our students with the real world, but may lead to career opportunities after graduation," McGinnis said.

MSU receives HUD grant for community outreach program

Montclair State University been awarded a $399,010 grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) in the township of Montclair.

Lawrence Thompson, HUD general deputy assistant secretary for Policy Development and Research, said the COPC grant will allow Montclair State to work with community organizations and residents in the Pine Street and Glenfield Park sections of Montclair. "Together, they will work on an ambitious effort to revitalize the neighborhood's physical and social infrastructure," he said. "Currently, a rail line fractures the neighborhood, and the project is intended to ameliorate some of the problems caused by it."

Montclair State President Susan A. Cole said the University and the township of Montclair are connected in several ways. "The vitality of both can be significantly enhanced by the activities that will be supported by the HUD grant," she said. "Many members of the University, community and government worked together to make this new partnership a reality, and I am especially grateful to Sen. Robert Torricelli and reps. William Pascrell and Donald Payne, who provided strong support for the project."

Along with community organizations and residents, four MSU project coordinators -- under the direction of Freyda Lazarus, director of the University's Center for Community Based Learning -- will manage partnership activities: Community Organizing, Jerry Kloby, coordinator of the Institute for Community Studies; Housing, Brigid Harrison of Political Science; Education, David Keiser of Curriculum and Teaching; and Digital Divide, Joan Mahoney of Information and Decision Sciences.

The COPC Executive Committee includes Lazarus; Richard Gigliotti, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Kenneth Brook of Anthropology; Tony Lazroe of Education and Human Services; and Karen Kadus, director of Planning and Community Development for the township of Montclair.

Primary community project partners include the Township of Montclair, Home Corporation, the Montclair Board of Education, Montclair Child Development Corporation, Montclair Neighborhood Development Center, Mt. Carmel Church, Day Nurseries, The United Way/TEAM, and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.
"Colleges and universities help to define the communities that surround them," Torricelli said. "With this grant, Montclair State will have the opportunity to make a tremendous positive impact on the Pine Street and Glenfield Park area, and also serve as a model for other institutions across the state. I look forward to visiting the area to see firsthand the work that this funding will enable."

Pascrell lauded the University's commitment to community. "Montclair State is an institution committed to making its community a better place, and these new dollars will go a long way toward achieving that goal," he said. "Higher learning is not just about books and exams, it is about sharing expertise and rolling up your sleeves to make a difference for others. That's exactly what will happen through the new Community Outreach Partnership Center."

Tenth District Congressman Donald Payne, who serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, pledged his continued support for community outreach efforts in Montclair. "This HUD funding will strengthen the Montclair community and enable us to move forward with an ambitious economic revitalization plan," Payne said. "I look forward to working with Montclair State University and the local community to meet this goal."

Montclair Township Mayor Robert Russo said, "Montclair is fortunate to be a subject of a positive collaboration with Montclair State University through the announcement of the COPC grant award of $339,010."

HUD makes grants under the COPC program to institutions of higher education to help them form centers for applied research and outreach to communities and neighborhoods.

With support from Russo and Councilman Charles Smith, an 18-person campus community advisory committee identified three major needs of the neighborhood: education, community organizing and housing.

In the COPC program, these needs will be addressed by:
• Creating a Neighborhood Geographic Information System and completing an asset-mapping project to identify the strengths of the neighborhood.
• Conducting voter registration drives;
•  Developing an after-school tutoring program to serve as a "safe haven";
• Working with local financial institutions, conducting first-time homebuyer seminars;
• Creating a multi-generational Computer Learning Center; and
• Implementing a community heritage project to increase local pride through documenting and expanding awareness of local history.

"The program calls for extensive student and faculty involvement, and demonstrates the strong commitment Montclair State has to its local community," Thompson said.

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