Alumni Couples that Make an Impact

Daniel Infanti ’76 and Joette Franco Infanti ’76 met on a Thursday night in 1976 at the crowded Rathskeller in the Student Center. Daniel, a Stone Hall resident, and Joette, a commuter from Nutley, were both seniors at that time and were a few of months away from graduating from Montclair State. Although they previously had seen each other in a mutual business class, it was the first time they acknowledged each other. “Who would have thought we would be married four years later,” says Daniel.

The couple married on May 4, 1980, and celebrated the wedding just off campus at the old Robin Hood Inn on Valley Road. “We raised two sons in Morris County and have had a successful and happy life together in every way,” he adds. In May 2020, the Infantis will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. “We’re enjoying life at the Jersey Shore, and traveling around the country and world. Time flies when you’re having fun.”

These sweethearts understand the importance of philanthropy at Montclair State. “Montclair State gave us the foundation to build a great life together,” says Daniel. “We are happy to help current students as they begin to build their lives and careers.”

Timothy Barr ’63 and Mary Barr ’63 met during a mutual class. Their time as lab partners in Dr. McDowell’s Zoology class is a fond memory that they both share. They had started dating just after the holidays that year and exchanged lab partners during the second semester so that they could sit together. During a dissection project, their shark specimen was the only one that contained an embryo. In astonishment, Dr. McDowell, jokingly, declared that it was a “sign from above” and that they were going to have “many children” of their own one day. Timothy and Mary married after graduation and had their first child. “I reminded Dr. McDowell of his prediction when I ran into him on campus while working on my Masters,” says Timothy. “He lit up.”

The Barrs have also been generous over the years in giving back to Montclair State and the programs that taught them the skills they use to this day in their professional lives.

For the Barrs, it is all about paying it forward. “We got an excellent education at a reasonable price and wanted to help the University thrive and provide the same opportunities we had,” says Timothy. “Both of us had some great times in class, with our fraternity and sorority, and with friends, so it’s simply a remembrance of good things past as well.”