Homecoming Week began on Monday, October 4 and went through Saturday, October 9. The events during the week are always meant for current Montclair State University students.
SLAM Studios Presents: The Avengers
- Monday, October 4
- 7-9 p.m. | Amphitheater
- Bring your blankets and super squad to enjoy a Super Screening of “The Avengers.” Free shirts will be there so make sure you fly in early. RSVP on Engage.
DIY So You Can FLY – (Rocky’s Birthday)
- Tuesday, October 5
- 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Student Center, Ballrooms
- Come out for cape decorating combined with Rocky’s birthday bash! There will be collectable SLAM + Rocky limited edition tee, cupcakes with Rocky’s face on them, music and three goodie bags for the raffle winners! RSVP on Engage.
Marvel vs DC Disco
- Tuesday, October 5
- 7-10 p.m. | Student Center, Ballrooms
- Are you a Marvel or DC Fan? Come enjoy silent disco as we dance battle who’s the best! Bring your capes to the dance floor and let’s roll. RSVP on Engage.
Gotham City Casino
- Wednesday, October 6
- 6-10 p.m. | Student Center, Ballrooms
Batman has no limits neither do you as you gamble in Gotham City with the most elite superheroes in the city! Free t-shirts for those heroes who win the games. RSVP on Engage.
Captain America’s GLOW Wars
- Thursday, October 7
- 7-10 p.m. | Student Center, Quad
Let’s glow up the night with a friendly game of Laser Tag and Mini Golf but make sure you have a good disguise so no one can find you in the Blacklight. Come early to get your collectable HOMECOMING tee! RSVP on Engage.
ENDGAME: The BLOCK PARTY Edition
- Friday, October 8
- 6-9 p.m. | Student Center, Ballrooms
We are ending Homecoming week with the most exclusive Block Party that only the super fly Red Hawks can get into! Wear your superhero costumes for a chance to win prizes! You also don’t wanna miss this last collectable tee so come early! RSVP on Engage.
Homecoming Day 2021
All were welcomed for a day filled with fun, food and football!
Additionally, visitors coming to campus were required to complete our self-screening tool, Hawk Check, prior to arrival. Please review the University COVID-19 protocols and specifically read the policy about mask wearing.
We were thrilled to see alumni and their families as well as a bunch of current students, faculty and staff!
Alumni Tent
- Open to: Everyone
- 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Outside Cole Hall (formerly College Hall)
- Cost: Free
- Start your day at the alumni tent! Check in for the day and pick up your program and free alumni gift (for alumni only). Gather with fellow alumni and current students, faculty and staff and enjoy complimentary refreshments. View items from the Sprague Library archives, learn about MONTCLAIRconnect and more!
Athletics: Field Hockey vs. Lebanon Valley
- Open to: Everyone
- 12 p.m. | Sprague Field
President’s Homecoming Welcome
- Open to: Everyone
- 1–1:30 p.m. | School of Communication and Media, Presentation Hall (event will also be live-streamed)
- Cost: Free – Space is limited. Registration required.
- Kick off Homecoming 2021 with welcome remarks from Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell.
Street Fair & Mainstage
- Open to: Everyone
- 1:30–4:30 p.m. | University Promenade
- Cost: Free Admission / Food and Drink Concessions
- All are invited to gather along the University promenade. Enjoy balloon art, music, food, sweets and carnival games. Information tables sponsored by various campus partners and student organizations will line the walkway, providing a street fair atmosphere. There will be fun for the whole family. Enjoy featured performances, demonstrations and interactive presentations at the mainstage at the historic amphitheater. In between, enjoy music provided by the DJ.
Strategic Communication Center Dedication
- Open to: Everyone
- 2 p.m. | School of Communication and Media, Strategic Communication Center
- Cost: Free
- Join us for the dedication of the Strategic Communication Center, a unique teaching and learning space that houses industry standard analytics, listening and management tools for students. In this Center, students will build innovative skills that will prepare them for careers in the new world of social, digital and streaming media. The Center will be a true cornerstone of the future physical and conceptual vision of the School of Communication and Media. In this space students will learn to become storytellers, effectively use these on a variety of social platforms and evaluate their impact.
Campus Tours
- Open to: All Alumni and Families
- 3 p.m. / Starting Point – Alumni Welcome Tent
- Cost: Free
- Admissions ambassadors will host walking tours of campus for alumni and families.
George Segal Gallery Exhibition: Tech/Know/Future/ From Slang to Structure
- Open to: Everyone
- 3 p.m. Introductory Tour / Exhibit Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | George Segal Gallery
- Cost: Free
- Tech/Know/Future/ From Slang to Structure is a critical response to technological systems within art addressing the issues of identity, history and abstraction, placing the viewer at the intersection of the past, present and future. Eleven diverse cross-disciplinary artists will use their creative practices to establish new relationships among technology, knowledge and time through augmented reality, artificial intelligence, sound, video, textiles and works on paper.
Student Talent Showcase
- Open to: Everyone
- 4–5:30 p.m. | Amphitheater
- Cost: Free
- Join us for the annual celebration of our student organizations as they show off their talents.
Red Hawk Sports Network’s “Game Day” Live Broadcast
- Open to: Everyone
- 4–6 p.m. | Sprague Field Endzone
- Stop by the Athletics Annex to see Montclair State student broadcasters from the Red Hawk Sports Network as they host a two-hour, live Game Day broadcast. Watch them break down the upcoming big game, interview Montclair State’s coaches and athletes, and talk all things Red Hawk Sports. And after you see them in person, you can watch this show and the student-led broadcast of the homecoming football game on the RHSN’s YouTube channel, your home for MSU sports and an exciting partnership between the School of Communication and Montclair State athletics.
Alumni Tailgate
- Open to: 21 and older
- 4–6 p.m. | Lot 7
- Cost: $20.00 – Walk In: $35.00 (Registration includes: 5 food/drink tickets, a Montclair State signature mask and a $5.00 donation to The Fund for Montclair State). Additional food/drink tickets available for purchase on site.
- For alumni – Football game tickets available for special discounted price of $5.00 each. Enjoy craft beer, wine, food, live band and tailgate games and celebrate school spirit as we get ready for kick off! Special gatherings for our new alumni networking groups – Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network, Black Alumni Advisory Council – and for our annual gathering for the EOF Alumni Network.
Athletics: Alumni Swimming and Diving Gathering
- Open to: Swimming and Diving alumni and guests
- 4:30 p.m. / Lawn area outside Panzer Pool
- Cost: Free
- Members of the current and prior teams come together for their annual reunion celebration and BBQ!
Homecoming Football Game: Montclair State vs. TCNJ
- Open to: Everyone
- 6 p.m. | Sprague Field
- Cost: $10.00 General Admission / $5.00 Alumni Discount
- Cheer the Red Hawks on to victory as they take on TCNJ. The half-time festivities will include recognition of the Knute Rockne Championship Team celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Athletics: Men’s Soccer vs. Stockton
- Open to: Everyone
- 7 p.m. | MSU Soccer Park
Cali School of Music: Kaleidoscope
- Open to: Everyone
- 8 p.m. | Alexander Kasser Theater
- Cost: $20.00 per ticket
- Kaleidoscope is a 90-minute nonstop extravaganza of diverse repertoire celebrating the Cali School’s talented faculty and students. The concerts feature the MSU Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Chorale, University Singers, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and chamber and solo artists. Get Details and Tickets!
Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center
- Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center will offer free admission for all Montclair State alumni and current students, and half-off for all adults (only $5,00). Be sure to come check out one of the true gems on campus. Hope to see you there!
Thank you to those of you who joined us online on Saturday, October 24, for Homecoming 2020! We hope you had a great time connecting with fellow alumni, hearing from faculty and coaches, exploring professional development opportunities, tailgating at home and much more!
Thank you for sharing your Red Hawk Pride!
We invite you to view the recordings of the programs you may have missed!
Homecoming Kickoff with President Susan A. Cole
We invite you to view a message from President Susan A. Cole to kick off the day! Hear updates about campus and gear up for a day full of Red Hawk Pride.
College of Science and Mathematics: Take a Virtual Trip to the Galapagos with Montclair State
Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Bologna and CSAM Associate Dean Dr. Scott Kight will share stories and stunning photographs of the Galapagos Islands, where Dr. Bologna and his Island Ecology class studied in the Spring 2020 semester. The Galapagos archipelago is a World Heritage Site, offering a natural laboratory that features some of the most unique animals and geological formations on the planet. Current students and alumni from the class will also be on hand to share their experiences and what they learned from this one-of-a-kind educational opportunity. View Program.
Feliciano School of Business: Which presidential candidate has the best economic plan to improve the current U.S. economy?
Join Feliciano School of Business Economics faculty members, Dr. David Axelrod and Todd Federman for a debate on the 2020 presidential candidates’ proposed plans to improve the economy. Hear from the experts and learn more about which plan may jumpstart economic growth, improve unemployment and result in continued market success. View Program.
College of Education and Human Services: Food and Nutrition Labs – Tailgate Recipe!
Check out the great facilities in the Food Science and Nutrition Labs. Hear from faculty and students about the program and how they apply what they learn outside of the classroom. Follow along for a special recipe for chickpea cookie dough to enjoy during your tailgate. View Program.
Morning Yoga with Dr. Jen
Join us for a morning yoga session to start the day with Jennifer Mattiello, adjunct professor of Exercise Science and Physical Education! All levels are welcome, so the whole family can get in on the fun. Namaste! View Program.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: What’s at Stake for Criminal Justice Reform in this Election
Dr. Jason Williams and Professor Jessica S. Henry of the Department of Justice Studies will take a look at what’s at stake in the upcoming election for criminal justice reform. The panelists will consider a wide-range of topics, from policing to mass incarceration, the decriminalization of marijuana, bail reform, and the federal death penalty. Join us for a lively and informative conversation! View Program.
Explore Past and Present with the Library and Archives
Come and virtually explore Montclair State University’s past and present! You are invited to virtually visit our University’s institutional repository, Montclair State University Digital Commons. Managed by Sprague Library, Montclair State University Digital Commons is designed to preserve, showcase and archive the creative and scholarly achievements of the Montclair State University community. Paul Martinez, archivist, and Karen Ramsden, coordinator of the institutional repository, will take you on a tour of the institutional repository where you can explore our incredible research, and delve into the history of the University through photos, The Montclarion, and other archival sources. View Program.
Pumpkin Painting
Join alumna Kayla Osborne Chamberlain ’17 as she shows you how to paint a Montclair State pumpkin to show your Red Hawk Pride! Pick a pumpkin from your favorite patch, or download a coloring page designed by Kayla… they are just like the real thing! All age levels are welcome! View Program.
Making the most of MONTCLAIRconnect
Join Stacy Albanese Fagioli ’08, ’17 MA, as she shares tips and tricks to make the most of our your experience using the alumni online community, MONTCLAIRconnect! You’ll learn how to sign on, how to set up your profile for maximum connections, and more. View Program.
Undergraduate Admissions: Breaking Down the College Selection Process
Join us for a session with Jeff Gant, Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In this session, we will discuss how you and the future college student in your life can best navigate the college search process, how to identify a great-fit school, and what you and your student can be doing now to prepare for success. This session will also address the impact of the global pandemic on the college admissions process and how you and your student can take advantage of emerging opportunities these changes are creating. View Program.
College of the Arts: Montclair State University Singers Performance Highlight
Led by conductor, Heather J. Buchanan and accompanist, Steve W. Ryan, the University Singers present thought-provoking music that contributes to the important conversations in our community. Tune in to enjoy the sounds of Montclair State’s current students as they perform Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair, Set Me As A Seal, Ain’t No Grave and All My Trials. View Program.
IMPACT Montclair State – Red Hawk Pantry Tour and Update
Join Stacy Albanese Fagioli ’08, ’17 MA, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, in conversation with Sonja Tillman, Coordinator of the Red Hawk Pantry, and Dr. Fatima deCarvalho, Associate Dean of Students. We will take a virtual tour of the Red Hawk Pantry in its new location, and discuss other emergency funds that are making an impact at Montclair State. View Program.
Red Hawk Return – Fall Sports in Review
Fall athletics looks very different this year. But with the help of Montclair State training staff and coaches, our student-athletes were able to get out for practice. Take a look at how things went for them. View Fall Sports in Review View Fall Sports – Football.
Stay at Home-coming Tailgate
Although we may not be together in person, let’s keep our school spirit soaring! Come back to your alma mater – online – for the alumni Stay at “Home”coming Tailgate. Sign up today to receive your alumni tailgate-in-a-box so that you can set the scene at your home for our Montclair State celebration. Sign on to the tailgate to kick off an afternoon of fun. Tour a local NJ alumni owned brewery, and for those under 21, we’ll have a fun coloring competition…and, no Homecoming would be complete without a sendoff from our favorite Red Hawk, Rocky! View Program.
Throwback to 1970 Knute Rockne Bowl Game: Montclair State vs Hampden Sydney
Missing football? Let’s travel back 50 years and watch Montclair State take on Hampden Sydney in the Knute Rockne Bowl Game. Spoiler alert, Montclair State wins! 50 years ago, our Montclair State Red Hawk football team finished off one of the best seasons in school history with a win in the Knute Rockne Bowl. In celebration of the anniversary, we rehashed the season with Montclair State’s Coach Giancola and some of its original team members! View Program.
University College: Not All Who Wander Are Lost: Academic Exploration with University College
Join us as we take you through the Pre-Major (Undeclared) student’s exploration of everything that Montclair State has to offer! Learn about the resources and tools that University College provides to help our students create a strong foundation for their academic success. Featuring Daphne Galkin, Associate Dean, Lindsey Hresko, Academic Program Coordinator, and Natalie Lopez, Academic Program Coordinator. View Program.
College of Education and Human Services: How History Informs Public Health: Lessons from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Starting back in 2005, the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan embarked on a landmark series of federally-sponsored research projects examining public health measures used during the deadly fall wave of the 1918 influenza pandemic. Dr. Alex Navarro, who was the lead historian on the research team, will answer the following questions about what the researchers learned: -Which 1918 interventions were associated with better outcomes and how should that inform what we do during the fall and winter of 2020-21?, -What did the researchers learn about cooperation and resistance to public health measures and how it affected the spread of the disease?, -What lessons can we learn from historical accounts of the political struggles over response to the influenza pandemic? View Program.
Liberty Science Center – Wonders of the Night Sky
This virtual planetarium program uses the night sky as a starting point. After exploring the brightest constellations and the planets visible in the current sky, we fly deep into space to explore planets and other celestial events up close! Join us for this live webinar that the whole family will enjoy! View Program.
Personal Development: Finding the Best Version of You through Self-Awareness
Often we find ourselves hitchhiking through life events, going through the motions, when suddenly a change happens (enter a global pandemic!) that forces us to pause and reflect on where we want to go next. Without a sense of internal awareness, we get stuck in a rut and struggle to make a decision on next steps in our personal and professional lives. Having a strong sense of self-awareness is recognized as one of the most important capabilities towards leadership and career development. This workshop will take a holistic approach and dive into the power of self-awareness and help you identify your strengths, hidden skills, interests, values, as well as design a vision for your future life. By the end of this workshop, participants will come away with a sense of empowerment and have the tools to continue navigating their self-discovery journey and make better choices, to change or grow. View Program.
Closing Remarks
Join us for a live update from Dr. Karen Pennington, Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life, and Colleen Coppla, Vice President for Development. Hear exclusive updates about the University, SOAR campaign, campus life and more. View Program.
Cocktail Demo and Alumni Happy Hour
Join us at 5:30 p.m. after closing remarks for an exclusive alumni happy hour and cocktail demo featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka! Learn how to make signature Montclair State cocktails and mocktails. We’ll also announce all of the winners for the day’s activities. View Program.