‘Magical Evening’ Honors Cole, Raises Scholarship Money
Theatre and Dance students perform selections from Working, A Musical in the Amphitheater.
In a festive celebration of philanthropy and achievements, more than 250 Montclair State University alumni, friends, benefactors and community members gathered on campus to raise money for student scholarships as well as to recognize the distinguished service of Montclair State President Susan A. Cole and honor four influential alumni on May 22, 2021.
The Montclair State University Foundation announced that more than $4 million was raised in scholarship and program funds for future generations of students, including nearly $750,000 as part of the Annual Scholarship Fundraiser. Some $3.5 million of that was pledged in Cole’s honor. Guests were also treated to a student performance in the University’s landmark Amphitheater.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy kicked off the evening by paying tribute to President Cole as she prepares to retire. “Susan has made an indelible mark on this institution, within our higher education community, and on our state,” said Murphy. “Your love of this institution has radiated throughout your efforts to better its future…. Because of you, the future of Montclair State has never been brighter.”
The evening’s program also celebrated the remarkable achievements of four alumni who have carried their Montclair State education forward to achieve great success in their professions and in their communities.
Community philanthropist and dedicated alumna Rose L. Cali ’80 received the Mary Mochary and Michael Kasser Award for Philanthropic Leadership, presented to her by Mary Mochary, who along with her brother Michael Kasser, are the children of Alexander Kasser, for whom the University’s theater is named. Cali’s extensive service to the University includes leadership roles on multiple boards, and she and her late husband, John, created opportunities for generations of music students through an endowed gift for scholarships through the John J. Cali School of Music (see profile “Forever Grateful, Forever Proud”).
Cali presented the Rose and John J. Cali Award for Business Leadership and Community Engagement to Michael J. Fucci ’80, former chairman of the Deloitte US Board of Directors, in recognition of his work to develop leaders in the workplace and inspire students as future leaders.
Co-honorees Denise Rover ’84 and Al Prieto ’84 received the Margaret and Herman Sokol Award for Alumni Achievement and Civic Leadership, bestowed on alumni who have made a significant contribution to industry, culture and/or society. Alumnus and University Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Greg Collins ’79 (see profile “A Strong Foundation”) presented the award to Rover, sales account manager at NBCUniversal, and to Prieto, vice president of NewsOne at ABC News. In addition to their decorated careers, both recipients have been integral members of the University’s College of the Arts, serving on its Advisory Board and Prieto also serving on the Advisory Board of its School of Communication and Media.
Since 1999, the Annual Scholarship Fundraiser has raised millions of dollars to support student scholarships that provide financial assistance to hundreds of students of limited financial means, enabling them to pursue and complete their studies at Montclair State.
For students like Ashon Lanada, a junior majoring in Business Administration, scholarship support is life changing. “What drives me is the fact that nobody in my family has done this before – I’m the first to have these opportunities. As a first generation college student, it’s vital for me to start the story.”
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