Bloomfield Alumni, Faculty and Staff Gather for an Evening with President Koppell and Chancellor Evans

On November 29, Bloomfield alumni, faculty and staff assembled in Westminster Hall to hear an update from President Jonathan Koppell and Chancellor Marcheta Evans about the mission and vision for Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. The Office of Alumni Engagement was pleased to offer this opportunity for all alumni to gather on the Bloomfield campus to connect with each other and with faculty, staff and leadership as a continued welcome of all constituents into the Montclair family. 

President Koppell and Chancellor Evans emphasized a forward momentum where the Bloomfield College legacy and mission of providing higher education access to first-generation and underserved student populations will continue.

“Both campuses were serving a diverse student body, and this union simply made sense,” said Koppell in his remarks. “I commend then-President Evans for her leadership and selflessness when she put Bloomfield and its students before her personal aspirations, knowing that in going public with the financial challenges facing the College, there was a window where Bloomfield might find a partner and be able to continue its important mission.”

Maintaining the close-knit, family feel of Bloomfield was described as one of the priorities. This resonated positively with alumni, faculty, staff and other attendees who took part in the dialogue.

“Bloomfield is known for its ability to personalize experiences for students, through advising and support services that are tailored to individual needs,” says Evans. “There are hundreds of stories from alumni who describe how Bloomfield and its faculty and staff guided and supported them while they were students, and how those relationships made a transformative impact on their lives. This is something that we have always treasured as part of our small campus experience, and it will not change, because it is simply too important to the successful student outcomes Bloomfield creates.”

Rita Walters, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement, noted that the two institutions will be stronger together. She emphasized that the Montclair Office of Alumni Engagement is partnering with the Bloomfield College Alumni Association leadership to continue to serve Bloomfield alumni and support current students.  

Maurice Lyle ’09, president of the Bloomfield College Alumni Association commented, “The event was both insightful and engaging, showcasing the accomplishments and vision of our leaders. The discussions fostered a sense of unity and pride within the alumni community post merger. Additionally, the forward-looking conversation about the road ahead outlined exciting prospects for the institution. I’m pleased to see the active engagement of our alumni post-merger, indicating a vibrant and connected community. We are all eager to see what’s next.”

Bloomfield alumni can also take advantage of the many perks and benefits afforded to Montclair alumni. All are welcome to join not only the Bloomfield College Alumni Association but also any of Montclair’s alumni affinity groups, including the Black Alumni Advisory Council, Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Alumni Network, Recent Alumni Network and Women’s Initiative Network. Bloomfield alumni are also welcome to take part in the many events and activities open to Montclair alumni on and off campus. This includes lectures, performing arts, film screenings and more. To keep abreast of events and activities, please update your contact information here. 

Finally, Bloomfield alumni will be receiving an email invitation to join MONTCLAIRconnect, the online alumni community. The platform offers valuable networking tools, career resources, access to discounts, information on upcoming events and more. MONTCLAIRconnect also offers the opportunity to join networking groups, including the Bloomfield College Alumni Network and many more.

Jeanne Marano, assistant vice president for Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, says, “We are so thrilled to welcome Bloomfield alumni into our Montclair community and look forward to getting to know them better as we work to provide meaningful opportunities for engagement across both campuses.”

To learn more about the Bloomfield College Alumni Association, please visit the BCAA website or contact Briana Curtis in the Office of Alumni Engagement at curtisbr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7478.

To make a gift to Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, please visit the giving page. 

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