From the President
In this issue of Montclair magazine, we celebrate the hard work and determination of our students, alumni, faculty and staff.
In our cover story, “A Brave New World,” we highlight the many challenges that our first-generation college students are successfully addressing on their journey to earning a bachelor’s degree and making their own mark on the world.
You will also read about how the Fulbright Scholars in our Master of Public Health program are taking what they learn here at Montclair State back to their home countries to create positive change and improve countless lives around the globe.
Beyond campus, two of our alumni faced extreme challenges in April while filming a documentary about a climber with cystic fibrosis who was ascending Mount Everest when a devastating earthquake struck Nepal, killing thousands and triggering an avalanche that killed 17 persons. Our alumni share their story of survival and give us an inside look at a project that they hope will increase awareness for those afflicted with cystic fibrosis and raise money for Nepalese earthquake relief efforts.
In this edition, we also provide an update on the phenomenal growth at Montclair State – the new buildings, the innovative programs and the record-setting enrollment. To all of you who have supported this growth and this vibrant academic community, whether through your dollars, time, talent or inspiration, I thank you. Your generosity continues to make a critically important difference for our students, as you help them to access a host of educational opportunities that, without your support, would simply be beyond their reach.
While that has always been true of Montclair State, it is even more so as we continue to grow and evolve as New Jersey’s second-largest and most innovative university. On behalf of our 20,465 students, and on behalf of the exceptional faculty and committed staff who continue to make high-quality public education a reality for those students, I extend my deepest gratitude to our many friends and supporters.
Susan A. Cole