Spring Gala Showcases Montclair’s Ambitious Vision for the Future

Celebrate Montclair: A Spring Gala shined a spotlight on all that Montclair has achieved – and turned our attention to the University’s ambitious vision of the future.

Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Rita Walters welcomed the glittering crowd of nearly 300 guests that included Steve Adubato ’80 and Evie Colbert, and shared a video illustrating the impact of contributions to the University as a lead-up to presentation of the evening’s honorees.

Kent Sluyter, chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the first of the event’s two awards to Rose C. Cali ’80, a devoted alumna and lifelong champion of Montclair whose leadership, philanthropy and service have strengthened the University and enriched the community for decades. He noted the many ways that Ms. Cali has contributed to Montclair, including as a Trustee, as a Foundation Board member, and as champion of the John J. Cali School of Music. Through her philanthropy, including an endowed scholarship she established with her late husband, John, Ms. Cali has opened doors for generations of talented music students.

Faculty Emeritus Rich Peterson presented the second award to Ori Eisen ’97, an innovator and global leader in cybersecurity whose career protecting people online, and whose commitment to giving back, exemplifies the impact of a Montclair education. His curiosity, and his dedication to uncovering the facts, contributed to his success as the fraud czar at American Express and later as a provider of fraud detection software to financial institutions. Today, he is known around the world as “Dr. Fraud.”

When President Koppell took the podium, he highlighted the enormous impact that a public-serving institution like Montclair, one that is devoted to accessibility and excellence, can have in students’ lives, and in the community.

“We promote the public good in the communities we serve,” he said. “Universities, and public universities in particular, are anchors: rooted in our communities, shaped by them and committed to their long-term wellbeing. We make real change through community partnerships, research opportunities and hands-on learning experiences.”

After sharing the achievements of some of the University’s most promising students and most accomplished faculty members, Dr. Koppell pointed to Montclair’s selection as one of the first institutions designated by the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose, making Montclair one of only four institutions to be recognized as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and as a Carnegie-classified community engaged as well as research institution. “It is a significant achievement, and an enormous responsibility, to be a national leader in both scholarly purposes and public engagement,” he noted.

Dr. Koppell’s remarks hit a particularly high note with the announcement of the Carpe Futurum Fund, a new initiative that will invest in scholarships, research and collaboration, and community partnerships that will position Montclair as the standard-bearer of public higher education. “The Carpe Futurum Fund will allow us to build on our vision, share our story and continue delivering both access and excellence,” he said, adding that the expanded access for students, enhanced academic programs and strengthened community partnership created by the Fund will benefit Montclair and its students for generations to come.

Dr. Koppell was in the process of appreciating the range of disciplines taught at Montclair, as demonstrated by the evening’s honorees – a professor dedicated to fighting cybercrime and a philanthropist who is deeply invested in nurturing new generations of musical artists – when a dozen or so of Montclair’s talented performing art students launched into a surprise performance. By the time they completed their rendition of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Another Openin’ Show,” the audience was awed, inspired and ready for a truly gala evening.

In closing, Dr. Koppell thanked everyone in the room for their contributions to the past, present and future of Montclair. He also invited the guests to take a moment to speak with the students in attendance. As he put it, “in them, you will see the impact of everything we do, and everything we value, at Montclair.”

Photos by John J. LaRosa and Ian Peters for Montclair State University