Phon-A-Thons Connect Current and Former Red Hawks

Student athletes and current Student Government Association (SGA) leaders each took over the Montclair State University call center to reconnect with alumni and donors and help raise money for the Red Hawk Athletic Fund, Emergency Scholarship Fund and the Red Hawk Pantry.

Red Hawks from the men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball and baseball teams got together at the call center on November 17, 2016, to place calls to former Red Hawks and ask for their support. Donors had the opportunity to give to the general Red Hawk Athletic Fund, Athletic Advising/Academic Programming, Athletic Training, the Hall of Fame Fund, the Women’s Athletic Fund or to any of our 18 varsity athletic teams.

The night was a huge success not only in raising $1,500, but also in reconnecting with athletics alumni. The current students and alumni enjoyed talking sports and swapping stories about their time competing for Montclair State.

Jointly organized by Beth Gottung, Director of Development for Athletics and the Office of Annual Giving, the phone-a-thon was a great experience for the student athletes and a boost for the Department of Athletics.

Just a few days later, six members of the SGA joined the Red Hawk Callers for a day in an effort to raise funds for the Emergency Scholarship Fund and the Red Hawk Pantry. In addition to raising dollars, students also chatted with former SGA alumni about their experiences, and discussed the potential for an SGA Alumni Gathering in conjunction with an SGA meeting.

The six members of the SGA included Matthew Lerman, Executive President; Gianna Zaino, Executive Secretary; Brenden O’Shea, Executive Treasure; Emma Rush, Class IV Director; Desiree Habersham, Legislator and Kaitland Khan, Class I Director. The calling shift was coordinated by Jewel Boyd, Director of Alumni Relations for the SGA, and also a supervisor in the Red Hawk Call Center.

The group raised nearly $600 and garnered interest from 20 alumni who are excited to participate in an upcoming event and connect with the current SGA. For more information on any of these initiatives, or to make your gift, contact Stacy Albanese, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, at 973-655-5465 or albaneses@montclair.edu.