exterior of Dickson Hall
News and Announcements

Celebrating the CHSS Class of 2020!

Posted in: Communication Sciences Disorders, English Department, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Homepage News and Events, Sociology, Student News

photo of students in black cal and gown with sunlight behind them

We congratulate the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Class of 2020 for earning their degrees. While we wish we could celebrate together in person, we are proud of our graduates and want to mark their achievements.

In a message to CHSS graduates, Dean Peter Kingstone said, “Reaching this point with your degree in hand – especially in the midst of a pandemic and lockdown — is a great testament to your will, perseverance and talent. We are so proud of you and your achievements at Montclair State.”

Several CHSS departments found creative ways to celebrate their graduates in lieu of our traditional Convocation ceremony. See how they celebrated below!

Communication Sciences and Disorders

On May 19, the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department held a Zoom ceremony to congratulate twelve students receiving their Doctorate in Audiology,  AuD. Friends and family of the graduates and other faculty and staff were in attendance to celebrate the graduates.  A surprise guest speaker, Dr. Maged Haimed, gave students an inspirational message.  Dr. Haimed is the Accounts Manager for the Mid-Atlantic division of Oticon, one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world. Following the message from Dr. Haimed, each student was honored and the ceremony concluded with a toast. View a list of graduating students.

English

On Thursday, May 28, the English Department celebrated its 2020 graduates with a Convocation zoomed to 160 B.A. and M.A. recipients, their proud families and friends, and their equally proud professors. Honors awardees were recognized by cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude designations, as were our annual English Department Awards recipients from 2019 and 2020. Professor Jonathan Greenberg, Department Chair, offered an inspiring and witty introduction; and Nelson Vazquez and Sierra Javras delivered moving tributes to their classmates and grateful professors; copies of all three and the event program are attached, as is a link to the video portion of the ceremony. Watch the English Department Zoom celebration and read more!

Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies

Dr. Jessica Restaino read the names of the 2020 GSWS graduating class and shared a message to the graduates. Watch the Video

Sociology

Faculty members of the Sociology department gathered via Zoom to deliver congratulations to their students. Watch the video and be sure to stay to the end for the outtakes!

A Message from President Cole

As President Susan A. Cole has told our grads, “Now more than ever the world needs bright, committed, well-prepared people who can take on the immense challenges we are facing. Your education at Montclair State has prepared you for this moment, and I have full confidence in you.”

“You are readier than ever to go out and be great in this world….,” Cole said. “The world will open up again. It will. And you will be out there able to fulfill your dreams and your hopes. That will happen.”

View the video below from the president, the dean of students, the provost and the president of the Student Government Association, addressed for the graduates on behalf of the entire faculty and staff and fellow students.