Red Hawk Callers Ring Again

Don’t be surprised if you get a phone call soon from a Red Hawk Caller! These hard-working students make more than 250,000 calls to alumni, parents and friends, seeking vitally needed support for Montclair State programs and services.

Annual gifts through The Fund for Montclair State have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of our students by providing much needed support for scholarships, improvements to classrooms, laboratories, campus facilities, new program development and technologies that give our students an edge in an increasingly competitive world.

This year, the Call Center, part of the Office of Annual Giving, will be under the leadership of one special Red Hawk. Alumnus Brandon Edwards ’19, who graduated from Montclair State in May, will be taking over as program center manager. However, being part of the Call Center isn’t something new to him.

“My experience has been eye opening,” says Edwards. “As a freshman, I was determined to work in philanthropy and nonprofit management. When I applied for the student caller position, I knew that the job would be rewarding because of the opportunity to network with alumni and help raise money for great causes.”

Edwards’s journey started as a Red Hawk Caller in 2016 where he helped raise close to $100,000 with the help of alumni, parents and faculty. In 2017, he was promoted to student supervisor and trained callers to follow in his footsteps. Now, as program center manager, he recruits Montclair State students and encourages them to be ambassadors for the University.

“I’m excited to help students use their position as an opportunity to find themselves and develop as professionals,” he says. Edwards is grateful for his journey at the Call Center and hopes his experience can serve as an example to current callers.

The work that the Red Hawk Callers perform not only benefits the University, but also lets them learn from alumni about what Montclair State was like in years gone by, and gives them a glimpse into life after graduation. Through daily communications with alumni, students learn what their futures might hold, while also letting graduates know what’s currently happening at Montclair State.

“I was able to explore numerous learning opportunities through conversations with alumni,” says student supervisor, Ruth Rosario ’22. “It excites me every time I find myself interchanging University and life lessons with those who once stood here before me.”

All gifts, large and small, make a difference. You can designate your gift to support the University’s greatest needs, or to an area that is most meaningful to you – your school/college, department, program, sport or organization. There are also special funds that provide direct and immediate support to students in need. The Red Hawk Pantry, Emergency Scholarship Fund and Emergency Book Fund are just some examples.

Our hard-working students rely on your dedication to fulfill their dreams. Please accept our sincere thanks for your ongoing support. By giving today, you can make an immediate and positive difference to Montclair State students. To make an impact, make your gift today.