{"id":213529,"date":"2020-12-22T07:10:42","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T12:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=213529"},"modified":"2020-12-22T12:32:58","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T17:32:58","slug":"a-year-like-no-other","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2020\/12\/22\/a-year-like-no-other\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year Like No Other"},"content":{"rendered":"

What started as a typical year soon turned into one like no other. Along with the rest of the world, the University had to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19. It found new ways to teach, conduct research and serve students as safely as possible. From pivoting to a fully online experience in the spring to returning to campus in the fall with a mix of in-person, hybrid and online courses, the University community rallied together to get through it. There were many bright spots along the way, including advocating for social justice, winning a record level of research funding, completing the most ambitious fundraising goal in University history, and discovering creative ways to teach and learn safely. Here\u2019s a look back at the year that was.<\/p>\n

January Graduate Commencement<\/h2>\n
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New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal addressed the 655 students<\/a> who graduated with master\u2019s and doctoral degrees in January. \u201cTry to enjoy the journey and know that you will find your calling. But along the way \u2026 I ask that you always look to find ways to make that journey easier for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quints Commit<\/h2>\n
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All five of the Povolo quintuplets of Totowa, New Jersey,<\/a> accepted Montclair State University\u2019s offer of a Presidential Scholarship for each of the high-achieving students \u2013 Victoria, Masha, Ashley, Michael and Marcus. They began their college journey together in the fall.<\/p>\n

Notable Visitors – Past and (Virtually) Present<\/h2>\n
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The University welcomed New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy<\/a> in January to announce a partnership for improving maternal health. U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill<\/a> (NJ-11) visited three times: for a press conference about the Census in February, to promote the free flu shot clinic in October <\/a>and to see Passaic County\u2019s COVID testing site in Lot 60 <\/a>in December. Stephen Colbert, Rachel Maddow and Bret Michaels <\/a>offered video congratulations to School of Communication and Media graduates in May, and The New York Times Chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and Politico Founder and Editor Susan Glasser<\/a> (virtually) visited to discuss politics prior to the election.<\/p>\n

The Pivot to Online<\/h2>\n
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When New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency to help slow the spread of coronavirus in March, the University extended spring break and moved all classes online<\/a> for the remainder of the semester and into the summer.<\/p>\n

Front Line Response<\/h2>\n
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During the lockdown in the spring, the University\u2019s essential workers stayed on campus<\/a> preparing meals, cleaning, and providing safety and care to those students who needed to remain, garnering national news coverage<\/a>. Professors in Public Health, Economics, Marketing and more were called upon to help others understand the epidemic<\/a> and its impacts through media interviews. Students in disciplines such as Nursing<\/a> found themselves on the front lines<\/a>. And the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation\u2019s MIX Lab<\/a> (pictured) led an innovative effort that ultimately produced more than 30,000 face shields for health-care workers.<\/p>\n

A Record Breaking Year for Grants<\/h2>\n
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Montclair State faculty attracted a record-breaking $22.4 million in external grant funding<\/a> for fiscal year 2020, including $8 million from the U.S. Department of Education<\/a> to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities into Pre-K through 12th grade general-education classrooms in New Jersey public schools, overseen by Gerard Costa, director of the University\u2019s Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health. Meanwhile FY 2021 is off to a fast start with a five-year $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health<\/a> awarded in September to Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor David Rotella and a team or researchers from multiple universities to evaluate an enzyme related to memory loss<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Justice for All<\/h2>\n
\"Jason<\/figure>\n

This summer, the country again began to grapple with its long history of inequality and police brutality. As marchers took to the streets to demand change, the University community came together<\/a> to support one another and its commitment to social justice and equality. \u201cBlack Lives Matter,\u201d said President Susan A. Cole in a video message. \u201cAnd we need to keep teaching that message until more and more and more people really understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grads Shine<\/h2>\n
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Montclair State University graduates celebrated a delayed but much anticipated Commencement over 21 small, in-person ceremonies<\/a> in July at Sprague Field. \u201cI think it was a really great idea to have a week of ceremonies. This way we can celebrate and stay safe at the same time,\u201d says Stephanie Pitera, who earned a master\u2019s in Public and Organizational Relations.<\/p>\n