President’s Welcome and Remarks at the 2009 Commencement Ceremony

Montclair State University was founded in 1908, and for the past 101 years, this institution has made available the possibility of a superb education to students who have demonstrated the potential for high achievement, who have shown diligence in the pursuit of their education, and who have high aspirations for using their education to the benefit of society.

There were 45 students in the first graduating class. A half century ago, in 1959, there were 485 graduates, and we are joined in our celebration today by 24 of those graduates who are marking their 50th graduation anniversary. I would like to ask the members of the class of 1959 to stand and be recognized. At today’s ceremony we will be conferring degrees on a few more people than we did half a century ago. Today we confer degrees on the largest class of graduates in the University’s history – 3,619 from every county in New Jersey, 17 states, and 56 countries.

All told, in its first 101 years, Montclair State has granted 112,439 degrees. The vast majority of those students have been the first in their families to earn a college degree, and we have sent them out into the world, just as we are today sending all of you out into the world, to work hard, to pursue advanced study, and to have distinguished careers in medicine and the health professions, in science, law, business, the arts, and education.

Standing on the threshold of the University’s second century, we can see clearly that everything is now and always has been about possibilities: the possibilities represented by you – the possibilities of the science you will do, the businesses you will create, the children you will teach, and the music you will make, and the possibilities of the hundreds of thousands of students who will follow in your footsteps over the years to come. And this journey is now and always has been about expectations: the expectations that your families have had for you, that we have had for you, and the expectations that you will now have for yourselves. Just imagine the impact you could have on the state, the nation, and the world.

Public higher education and institutions such as Montclair State University are the critical enablers of American democracy. There cannot be a free society or a just society or a prosperous society where that society does not provide for the education of its people. The role of a responsible and contributing citizen in a democracy is a difficult and complex one, and it takes preparation and education. You have had the privilege of that education – a privilege denied to many in this world – and you, and your families, and we in this university, have worked hard to make that privilege possible for you. And now, you must let nothing stand between you and your future, for we will be expecting to find each and every one of you in the years to come in all those places where well-educated and dedicated people are working toward the progress of society and the well being of people.

And now, before we proceed with this ceremony, I would like us to remember Kate Russell, a fellow student whose life was cut short this year, and I would like us also to send our best wishes to your fellow students, Morgan Sanchez and Dempsey Ramalhosa, who have been called away from their studies this year to serve overseas in the armed forces.

And now, it is time to celebrate! And to help us do that, a number of special guests have joined us on the platform.

First, please join me in welcoming our distinguished honorary degree recipients, John Cali and the Honorable Cory Booker.

I would ask the members of our Board of Trustees to rise and remain standing as I call their names:

Rose Cali
George Hiltzik
Douglas Kennedy
Ralph LaRossa
John McGoldrick
William Mullen
Carlos Ortiz

Our Student Trustees: Heather McCarty who is sitting with her colleagues in the School of Business and Ian Honauer

And the Faculty Representative to the Board, Professor Norma Connolly.

Joining us today to celebrate your achievements are several members of the State Assembly. It is my pleasure to recognize, Assemblywoman Elease Evans, Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Giblin, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, Deputy Speaker Frederick Scalera and Assemblywoman Joan M. Voss, an alumna of Montclair State University.

Seated on the platform are your Student Government representatives:

Ronald Chicken, President
Bryan Fucetola, Vice President
Michelle Tomaszski, Secretary
Any Brooks, Treasurer

I would ask members of the University’s Foundation Board and Alumni Boards to please stand and remain standing as I call your names:

Greg Collins
Melissa DeFeo
Margaret Hait
Jeffrey Johnson
Audrey Leef
Nader Tavakoli
Joseph Wasiuk
James Wassel
Scott Willaims

And lastly, and very warmly, I wish to recognize Michael Esposito. Mike is with the University’s Building Services department and he is here today representing the staff of MSU who serve our students all year round. From academic advising to grounds and physical plant, from the bursar to the registrar, I would also like to acknowledge the many staff who have volunteered today as ushers, marshals, greeters, and coordinators. MSU staff, wherever you are throughout the arena, please stand and be recognized.