{"id":219108,"date":"2022-09-16T14:16:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T18:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=219108"},"modified":"2022-10-04T07:48:55","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T11:48:55","slug":"a-day-to-fuel-the-imagination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/09\/16\/a-day-to-fuel-the-imagination\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day to Fuel the Imagination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The sounds of trumpets heralded the celebration of President Jonathan GS Koppell\u2019s investiture as Montclair State University\u2019s ninth president. On a bright, lovely fall day the campus welcomed community partners, family and dignitaries to hear the president lay out his vision and plans for the University and to celebrate all that makes it a special place.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: Campus celebrates Investiture of President Jonathan GS Koppell\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sYL2UEMu7Rc?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Over Montclair\u2019s 114-year history, the investiture of a president has been a rare occasion, and the University marked the event with much flourish, including performances by dance students and the University Singers, a procession of faculty and leaders in academic regalia, initiated with a fanfare courtesy of John J. Cali School of Music students and accompanied by processional music performed by the University\u2019s Wind Symphony.<\/p>\n<p>In the historic Amphitheater, which Koppell referred to as the \u201cbeating ancestral heart of Montclair State University,\u201d Koppell told students they are Montclair&#8217;s most important constituents, and invited them to make a difference in the University and the world. \u201cWe need your effort. We need your industry. We need your intellect. But mostly, what we require is your optimism \u2013 and that&#8217;s what today means to me. We will do great things together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: THE INVESTITURE OF JONATHAN GS KOPPELL\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DDi8cUgXP_Y?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Montclair\u2019s President Emerita Susan A. Cole, who returned to honor her successor, explained the tradition signifies the contribution higher education has made to the progress of humanity throughout history. \u201cEvery member of this university community has played a part in that history and heritage,\u201d she said. \u201dAnd today, we come together as a community to acknowledge the awesome responsibility that President Koppell assumes as the leader of this university.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2396_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2396_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Past Presidents Irvin D. Reid and Susan A. Cole smile for the camera\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Past presidents Irvin D. Reid and Susan A. Cole (presidents number seven and eight) returned to campus to celebrate the investiture of the University\u2019s ninth president. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Under a blue, cloudless sky, Cole, who led the University for 23 years, and her predecessor Irvin D. Reid, who served Montclair from 1989 to 1997, when he left to become the first African American president of Wayne State University, addressed an enthusiastic crowd.<\/p>\n<p>Reid said he was certain that like presidents before him, Koppell would leave his mark. \u201cNo doubt your vision for the centrality of a university at the heart of the community of which it is a part has brought you to Montclair State University at a propitious moment in time.\u201d He also applauded Koppell for giving students such a prominent role in the investiture. \u201cIt already shows you as a leader committed to the sensitivities of those you serve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Students indeed played important roles throughout the day\u2019s festivities \u2013 from the symphony and choral performances and the singing of the National Anthem by Harrison Smith to brief speeches by Faith Victor \u201922, a former student member of the Board of Trustees, and Student Government Association President Richard Steiner-Otoo. Board of Trustees student member Maria Cavero Mun\u0303oz carried the presidential medallion in the procession.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2014_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2014_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Sandra Adams leads the procession holding the University mace\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Marshal Sandra Adams, professor of Biology, leads the procession. She carries the University mace, an ornamental staff symbolizing the University and the president\u2019s authority. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As the Wind Symphony played <em>Emperata Overture<\/em>, the academic procession, which included representatives from other universities, as well as Montclair leadership, joined the president and together they made their way across campus to a red-carpeted Memorial Auditorium. There, Koppell was officially invested by Board of Trustees Secretary Mary A. Comito as Trustee Preston Pinkett III took the medallion from Cavero Mun\u0303oz and placed around his neck \u201ca chain of office\u201d bearing a silver medallion engraved with the University\u2019s seal, an action that symbolized the board\u2019s delegation of its authority and responsibility to the president.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5425_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5425_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Trustee Preston Pinkett placing the medallion on President Koppell\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Student Trustee Maria Cavero Mu\u00f1oz, a senior, and Trustee Preston Pinkett III bestow the presidential medallion on Koppell as Trustee Mary A. Comito officially invested the president. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy, who was unable to attend, sent a video message he recorded while wearing a red-and-white tie: \u201cMontclair has become an important resource for the State of New Jersey and beyond, providing a strong education for its students, the opportunity for social and economic mobility and promoting the ideals of public service. I am confident that President Koppell is the right person to lead Montclair State in this moment and to continue its upward trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Board of Trustees Chairman Francis M. Cuss, who chaired the presidential search committee, said the board was \u201cunanimous in our opinion that he would be the kind of transformative president that we needed at this propitious time.\u201d He called the day\u2019s events \u201can important celebration of renewal and a wonderful opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to the future of this great university.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cuss gave a special welcome to Koppell\u2019s wife, Jennifer Steen, and their children Elsa and William, as well as all the president\u2019s relatives and friends from across the country who joined in person or via the livestream.<\/p>\n<p>Speakers included representatives from the faculty, staff, student government, alumni, elected officials and community leaders partnering with Montclair.<\/p>\n<p>Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leon \u201996 MA, said that he and President Koppell share a commitment to providing an inclusive and excellent education and emphasized the partnership between Montclair, the American Federation of Teachers and his district in a model teacher preparation program. \u201cTogether, we are\u2026 preparing the next generation of inspiring teachers and transformative school leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh spoke about his city\u2019s educational and community partnerships with Montclair, noting that when they first met, Koppell told him, \u201cIf you&#8217;re trying to write a success story in the City of Paterson, sign me up as a co-author.\u201d Sayegh added there are many opportunities for collaboration and that he was proud to call Koppell a partner and a friend who will help write that new narrative.<\/p>\n<p>City University of New York Chancellor Fe\u0301lix V. Matos Rodriguez and Bloomfield College President Marcheta Evans, both personal friends of the president, delivered keynote addresses.<\/p>\n<p>Matos Rodr\u00edguez discussed Koppell\u2019s family background and how his grandparents, first-generation graduates from New York City colleges, inspired Koppell to forge a career in public universities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJonathan&#8217;s family&#8217;s story is the story of the promise of America and the role public higher education plays in that promise,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is the journey that we keep seeing in America, thanks to places like the one where we stand right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Evans spoke of her friendship with Koppell and the \u201cmodel partnership\u201d forming between Montclair and Bloomfield College, noting that Koppell \u201cput his legacy on the line right at the start of his tenure\u201d by throwing a financial lifeline to ensure that New Jersey\u2019s only four-year Predominantly Black Institution, as well as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority Serving Institution, could remain open while the two institutions establish a strategic partnership.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe knows the life-changing power of social mobility and how minority-serving places are the vessels that hoist students up the social mobility ladder,\u201d Evans said, adding \u201cSocial justice runs through [Koppell\u2019s] veins&#8230;He is a community person, and one who consistently uplifts underrepresented communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Imagining the future<\/h2>\n<p>In his rousing half-hour investiture address, Koppell said his first year in office has been \u201cincredible\u201d and expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him. \u201cI am a link in a chain of leaders who served as stewards for Montclair State University.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Koppell called the day \u201ca celebration of a vital institution that has been ambitious and pugnacious, confident and sometimes underestimated, but always focused on its public purpose. Today is a celebration of our power to do great things when we work collectively, remembering that our destinies are intertwined. So, really, all of us are links in the chain, a chain that connects the people who for generations have made this university great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But most of all, he said, \u201cI see today as a celebration of imagination, this extraordinary human ability to form mental images of things that do not exist\u2026. We can make real something that has never been.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5764_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5764_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell speaking at podium\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Koppell told guests, \u201cI see today as a celebration of imagination.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Koppell spoke of the importance of public service, partnerships and preserving democracy \u2013 noting that \u201cWe will not have this democracy if we do not build and sustain a spirit of public service in this country\u201d and that universities must lead the way.<\/p>\n<p>The president announced a number of future initiatives both on- and off-campus that will support his vision of enhancing Montclair\u2019s impact for students and communities.<\/p>\n<p>One of those initiatives, he said, will involve a significant educational role for the University in the revival of Hinchliffe Stadium, one of two remaining historic Negro League ballparks, helping to use the site as a teaching tool for to help K-12 students, residents and visitors learn the history of Paterson.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is just the beginning. We have a lot of things that we&#8217;re going to do together. I cannot wait, and it&#8217;s not limited to Paterson,\u201d he said. \u201cIt&#8217;s not limited to Montclair, it&#8217;s not limited to Clifton, Little Falls or Newark. This is what we will do anywhere and everywhere. We are eager to be a partner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Koppell said that the University also plans to launch a college of health professions \u201cfocused on community well-being,\u201d and reimagine the focus of the College of Education.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese will be two new powerhouses. Future educators and health professionals will engage with our talented faculty in an environment of inquiry and innovation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Other initiatives to better serve students include Montclair Unbound, the Office of Student Belonging and the Next Generation Service Corps, and doing so while continuing to keep the University accessible and excellent.<\/p>\n<p>Through Montclair Unbound, he said, the University will offer degrees in ways that combine in-person and online modalities, creating more accessibility for more students, meeting them where they are.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the Montclair State University I imagine, the prototype of the public-serving university we need today: One that expands opportunity, invents solutions, empowers problem-solvers, engages our communities and reinvigorates our democracy. We can make it come into being as surely as inventors, artists and scientists have brought their ideas to life for millennia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur forebears, the architects of the New Jersey State Normal School of Montclair and every successive generation that made this remarkable institution what it is today. They imagined the University for which the moment called \u2013 and they built it. Now, it is our turn to answer the bell. Carpe diem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: Soaring into the Future\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oTJev6Qygfc?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>A special day for students, too<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0963.jpeg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0963.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell wears goggles and poses for photograph\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Koppell interacts with students during the campus programs and public service festival. <em>Photo by Michael Paras<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Classes were canceled for the day to give students the opportunity to see the pageantry of a higher education tradition and enjoy lunch and the festival of programs and public service \u2013 and the day did not disappoint.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought it was really special,\u201d said Cesar Nova, a freshman who signed up to work as an usher. \u201cThere was a presence on campus that suggested that something significant happened today. It was only the ninth time, and the University has been here more than a hundred years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Senior Jason Naccarella said, \u201cIt&#8217;s great to see that everybody&#8217;s out here and really getting to see each other.\u201d The day, he said, showcased Montclair as \u201ca place to be welcomed, a place to enjoy and a place where you are able to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Gallery<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_0154_Investiture-Aerial-Photos.jpeg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_0154_Investiture-Aerial-Photos.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial photo of festival on campus to celebrate President Koppell&apos;s investiture\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A festival celebrating the University\u2019s programs and public service partnerships took place on the Alumni Green in front of Cole Hall. <em>Photo by Paul McGroarty<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_1160_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_1160_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Bonner Leaders at table on campus\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bonner Leaders showcase their community service and social justice activities during the campus festival. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0127.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0127.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Nursing students at table on campus\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">School of Nursing students train in the public health campaign, Stop the Bleed. <em>Photo by Michael Paras<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0458.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0458.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Students pose with a cutout of President Koppell\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An Instagram favorite: #koppellfie @montclairstateu. <em>Photo by Michael Paras<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_1669_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_1669_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell with presidents from other universities\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Higher ed colleagues come together for President Koppell\u2019s investiture. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2096_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2096_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Police Honor Guard on campus\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Police Honor Guard made up of University, Montclair, Little Falls and Clifton police officers conducts a Presentation of Colors at the Amphitheater. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2808_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2808_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"attendees seated in amphitheater on campus\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Montclair\u2019s President Emerita Susan A. Cole addresses the audience gathered in the Amphitheater. In passing the torch to Montclair\u2019s ninth president, Cole said, &#8220;As a community, we say to President Koppell, you have taken on a really important assignment and we are confident in your ability to serve us.&#8221; <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2937_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_2937_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell speaking at podium outside\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Jonathan Koppell wanted part of the day\u2019s festivities to be held at the historic Amphitheater, which he called the \u201cbeating ancestral heart of Montclair State University.\u201d <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4764_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4764_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Montclair State University Singers on stage\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside Memorial Auditorium for the traditional ceremony, Montclair State University Singers perform H<em>ow Can I Keep from Singing?<\/em> <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4635_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4635_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"photo of projector screen showing video of Governor Phil Murphy\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gov. Phil Murphy addressed the audience by video, saying, \u201cMontclair has become an important resource for the state of New Jersey and beyond providing a strong education for its students, the opportunity for social and economic mobility and promoting the ideals of public service.\u201d <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4930_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_4930_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Felix V. Matos Rodriguez speaking at podium\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Keynote speaker Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, Chancellor of The City University of New York, who remarked that President Koppell has the vision and leadership needed to sustain the intergenerational promise of public higher education. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5449_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_5449_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell shakes Trustee Preston Pinkett&apos;s hand\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trustee Preston Pinkett III congratulates Koppell after he and Student Trustee Maria Cavero Mu\u00f1oz \u201823 bestowed the presidential medallion on him. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_7492_Investiture.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_7492_Investiture.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Attendees on campus at various tables\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">After the official pomp and circumstance, visiting dignitaries, University students, faculty and staff enjoyed an open-air reception. <em>Photo by Mike Peters<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0944.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras0944.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell talking with students over table\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">After being invested, President Koppell visited with students who staffed tables during the festival (above and below). <em>Photo by Michael Paras<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras1020.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/091522_Investiture_Paras1020.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Koppell talking with students over table\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Photo by Michael Paras<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/IMG_6372.jpeg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/09\/IMG_6372.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"two ambassadors carrying cardboard cutouts of President Koppell\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Montclair social media ambassadors carry the presidential \u201cselfie\u201d cutouts across campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>See more photos from the day\u2019s events in the <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/montclairstateuniversity.smugmug.com\/2022\/Investiture-Galleries\/091522-Investiture\/n-JpM89p\/\" target=\"_blank\">Investiture Photo Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Story by Staff Writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/profilepages\/view_profile.php?username=martinezsy\">Sylvia A. Martinez<\/a>. Editorial Director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/profilepages\/view_profile.php?username=griffinla\">Laura Griffin<\/a> and Staff Writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/profilepages\/view_profile.php?username=lehrenma\">Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/a> contributed to this report. Photos by University Photographer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/profilepages\/view_profile.php?username=petersm\">Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Campus celebrates Investiture of President Jonathan GS Koppell, hears plans for the future<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":216,"featured_media":219141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[123,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-219108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage-news","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/216"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219108"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":219262,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219108\/revisions\/219262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}