Distinguished Alumni to be Honored at Celebrate Montclair Gala

Montclair State University alumni Rose Cali ’80 and Ori Eisen ’97 will be honored for their distinguished careers and commitment to serving the public good on Thursday, April 16 at the inaugural Celebrate Montclair gala, an event recognizing the excellence and impact of the University’s mission.

“Rose and Ori exemplify the very best of Montclair State University,” said Montclair President Jonathan Koppell. “Rose exemplifies the spirit of community and generosity that we seek to cultivate. Ori has had a remarkable career launched by his years at Montclair. In different ways, each has transformed lives and communities while remaining closely connected to the values and mission that define Montclair.”

Rose C. Cali ’80

A proud alumna of Montclair State University, Rose has served the University in many capacities, including as a Trustee beginning in 1991, and as a member of the Montclair State University Foundation Board and the John J. Cali School of Music Advisory Board. She is also the founder and former President and CEO of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center.

Her loyalty and love for the University live on through an endowed gift for music student scholarships that Rose and her late husband, John, established. Through the John J. Cali School of Music, the Cali family’s generous support has transformed the University’s music program, strengthening its growth and excellence and impacting hundreds of students through scholarships.

Rose has also dedicated herself to countless causes in New Jersey, including the Montclair Public Library, Montclair Film Festival, Liberty Science Center and Jazz House Kids, among others.

“I love to attend events and concerts at the University and especially enjoy attending performances by the amazingly talented students from the Cali School,” says Cali.

Ori Eisen ’97

Dedicating his life to fighting online crime, Ori Eisen’s distinguished career has seen him serve in prominent roles at American Express and found both companies and charities – all while supporting his alma mater.

After serving as the Worldwide Fraud Director for American Express, Eisen founded 41st Parameter – the leading online fraud prevention and detection solution for financial institutions and e-commerce. After 41st Parameter was acquired by Experian in 2013, he founded Trusona, the company he still operates today.

Also a dedicated philanthropist, he has founded the charity, Ball to All, a charity that donates free soccer balls around the world to children who have never had one, and founded Original Films, partnering with the world’s most creative storytellers to tell stories that need to be told. He also volunteers with Thorn, the digital defenders of children.

Ori and Mirit Eisen, through their generous philanthropy, established the Eisen Mental Health Fund at Montclair State University. The fund is currently supporting a pilot project that improves student mental well-being utilizing the evidence-based Penn Resilience Program.

“We wanted to support the students of Montclair State University with a groundbreaking program for mental well-being. It is hard enough to get accepted into higher education, and it is harder to stay a student with all of life’s challenges. Giving students the tools to cope with the stress and create more work/life balance is a dream come true.”

Proceeds from the Gala will establish the President’s Carpe Futurum Fund, which will fund University priorities to help Montclair seize the day and best serve the future. Through the Carpe Futurum Fund, the University will broaden access to rigorous education and exceptional learning opportunities by providing scholarship support, advance research and form partnerships that enhance prosperity, democracy and wellbeing in the communities it serves.

The funds will also count towards Montclair’s ONE DAY for Montclair campaign totals, helping the University create opportunities, elevate achievements and celebrate its students.

“The Carpe Futurum Fund is designed to ensure Montclair continues to expand opportunity, invest in innovation and deepen our impact in the communities we serve. By supporting our students, our research and our partnerships, this fund will help us build a future that is more inclusive and responsive to the challenges of our time,” says Koppell.

Celebrate Montclair is open to the public and will be held in the University’s Conference Center, located on the seventh floor of University Hall. Visit the Celebrate Montclair website for more information.