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TH UNI U VE O R M S I N T

’ S M th A 25 N Y N R I V E R S A

Celebrating 25 years of university status. See p. 12.

PEEL-OFFSee reverse COVER side. Help us celebrate 25 Years of U. SHOW YOUR PRIDE. GIVE A GIFT. On March 25, 2020, the whole Monmouth community will be celebrating 25 Years of U. You can make our birthday wish come true when you participate in our 24-hour day of giving.

TH UNI U VE O R M S I N T

’ S M th A 25 N Y N R I V E R S A

MARCH 25 , 2020

givingday.monmouth.edu THE MAGAZINE OF MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY » SPRING 2020

BLAST FROM THE PAST What Archie Bunker can tell us about politics today. Page 06

RAISE A READER DRIFTING Turn your kid into a bookworm. Page 09

INTO CRISIS HEALING 7 takes on climate change and its effects WITH HORSES Helping combat vets through page 32 equine-assisted therapy. Page 26 GRADUATE STUDIES

YOUR FUTURE: MASTERED Graduate Open House 4/18 @ 10 a.m.

Continue your studies by pursuing a graduate degree at Monmouth University. Programs include: • Addiction Studies • Anthropology • Clinical Mental Health Counseling • Communication • Computer Science • Criminal Justice • Education - Teaching, MSEd, MEd, and EdD options • English • History • Information Systems • MBA • Nursing (MSN, DNP) • Physician Assistant • Social Work • Software Engineering • Speech-Language Pathology

Graduate scholarships available for eligible students.

732-571-3452 | West Long Branch, NJ • MFA in Creative Writing

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BACKSTORY » MASTERED A kick from her first horse, Tristan, gave René Stone a traumatic brain injury, but also led to her realizing the power of Graduate Open House equine-assisted therapy. Story, page 26. 4/18 @ 10 a.m.

Continue your studies by pursuing a graduate degree at Monmouth University. Programs include: • Addiction Studies • Anthropology • Clinical Mental Health Counseling • Communication 22 • Computer Science ALL IN A DAY’S WORK • Criminal Justice Our readers recall tales of triumph, tragedy, and the • Education Talking Heads in our round- - Teaching, MSEd, MEd, and EdD options up of college job memories. • English • History • Information Systems • MBA 26 HEALING WITH HORSES • Nursing (MSN, DNP) René Stone found salvation • Physician Assistant in a saddle. Now she’s passing the reins to veterans in need • Social Work of their own healing. • Software Engineering • Speech-Language Pathology

Graduate scholarships available for eligible students. 32 OUR WARMING PLANET Seven expert takes on what climate change means—and REGISTER TODAY @ what it reflects about us. MONMOUTH.EDU/INFO NEW PROGRAMS: • MS in Athletic Training

732-571-3452 | West Long Branch, NJ • MFA in Creative Writing photo JOHN EMERSON Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 01

GRAD_Ad-8x10.5_Generic.indd 2 1/17/20 4:15 PM Contents Departments | Spring 2020

MONMOUTH » VOL. 39. NO. 2 06 10 20 Monmouth magazine is published thrice annually by the Monmouth University Division of Enrollment Management.

Vice President for Enrollment Management Robert D. McCaig, Ed.D.

The Front Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications currents » RESEARCH & REFLECTION Tara Peters ’94, ’99M

Editor 06 09 Tony Marchetti NEED TO EXPLAIN THIS KNOW How to foster a love of Assistant Editor Tracing the rise and fall of reading in your child. Breanne McCarthy the Religious Left. Design & Layout Dog Ear Consultants TIDES » CULTURE & COMMUNITY Contributing Writers 10 12 14 Pete Croatto Nick DiUlio CROSS TALK HOW MONMOUTH CAMPUS Steve Neumann A college bridge program at WAS MADE BRIEFS Molly Petrilla Monmouth is increasing The story of how The scene at West Long Greg Viscomi access to higher education Monmouth College became Branch. for first-generation students. a university. Photographers Tina Colella PLAY » SPORTS & FITNESS Anthony DePrimo John Emerson Matt Furman 18 20 21 Tom Lozinski MORE THAN ONE FOR MAKING THE MOST OF Karlee Sell JUST A GAME THE AGES A FIRST IMPRESSION Illustrators Midfielder Esther Wellman is Looking back on football’s Field hockey wins regular Davide Bonazzi making the most of her Mon- historic season. season championship. Josue Evilla mouth experience. Mark Matcho Alex Nabaum The Back The Rest On the cover » Class notes ALUMNI LIFE President’s Note, 3. Illustrator Alex Nabaum’s take Letters, 4. on the climate crisis. A Day at the Beach, 16. 42 50 Alumni Roundup, 44. THE FINDING HER In Memoriam, 55. CHANGEMAKER ELEMENT Remembrance, 56. Sophia Lewin is not your How Ishita Bhattacharya average football coach. went from pre-med to 400 Cedar Ave. pioneering choreographer. West Long Branch, NJ 07764 732-571-3489 • monmouth.edu

02 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 President’s Note “ In the 25 years since Monmouth attained university status, we If we can have been on a steady march to unleash becoming a first-rate academ- academic ic institution. That progress has excellence certainly accelerated in recent years. At the same time, we are and also proud of the fact that one- continue third of our undergraduate stu- to open our dents receive federal Pell Grants, awarded to students with the doors to greatest financial need. that kind At Monmouth, nearly half of of access, our students—45 percent—are the first in their family to pur- Monmouth sue a four-year college degree. will stake Twenty-nine percent of our stu- its claim to dents self-identify as diverse. Taken together, these measures a national of access are very uncommon for reputation a private Division I institution and as an will continue to inform our ongo- ing strategic planning process. institution If we can unleash academic ex- that is both cellence and continue to open highly our doors to that kind of access, ranked Monmouth will stake its claim to a national reputation as an and highly institution that is both highly accessible. ranked and highly accessible. I am pleased that this issue of ” Monmouth magazine showcases areas where our intellectual heft and our commitment to access shine. In “Our Warming Plan- et,” Breanne McCarthy gathers diverse perspectives on climate change from a cross section of faculty in different disciplines. Closer to campus, in “Cross Talk,” Tony Marchetti profiles two students who are the first to matriculate to Monmouth as a result of our Future Schol- ars program, in which gradu- Success and ate interns from the educational counseling program mentor 6th through 12th graders in the Momentum Long Branch public schools. A LOOK AT MONMOUTH’S GROWTH There is so much about our 25 YEARS INTO ITS UNIVERSITY STATUS. University that makes me proud, from our championship ix months into my tenure, several elements have athletic programs, to our engaging thought leadership, and to come into clearer focus that I think really shape so many alumni success stories. the character of the University. What stands out This issue of the magazine covers S them all. Enjoy! to me is a special blend of academic excellence and Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D. access to opportunity for our students. President

photo MATT FURMAN Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 03 letters

Most of the audiences were stu- withey chapel, dents from various acting classes or there by personal invitation TELL two takes: from Lauren Woods. As I can One of the creepiest places on recall, some of the plays we did US campus, but in a charming way. were The Bald Soprano, Death @HarlonJugo via Twitter of a Salesman, and The Glass Menagerie. WHAT One of my favorite spots on Across the hall from the Chapel campus. Studio Theater was the Wilson Hall YOU @jellybellyspinelli via Instagram Bowling Alley. It was the perfect place to do makeup and store cos- THINK Remembering tumes for each show. No one within the college administration seemed Email us at Kenneth Stunkel Our fall 2019 issue featured stories to care if we used the chapel or the magazine@ I was saddened to read of the about Withey Chapel. bowling alley. For two years, that monmouth.edu, passing of Dr. Kenneth Stunkel was a special place for the drama (“Remembrance,” summer 2019). group. Our only other venue in or write What a great man and educator those days was the little theater he was! I have many enduring Setting the scene us at Monmouth on the lower level of Wilson Hall. It magazine, memories of Dr. Stunkel, but two There is another story to tell was a totally different time in the stand out. The first is the very first about Withey Chapel (“How history of the school. Monmouth class that I attended in September Monmouth Was Made,” fall 2019) There was one little problem University, 1976: Western Cultures, co-taught that I think should be added to its we had doing our shows in the by Dr. Stunkel and Dr. Prescott Alumni House, history. In 1964, members of the chapel though. The chapel is right Evarts. How fortunate to be taught Monmouth College theater group behind and next to the former 400 Cedar by two such esteemed titans of and our favorite professor, Lauren ladies’ room (now the men’s room) Ave., West academia at Monmouth. The way “Woody” Woods, took over the on Wilson’s lower level. Every they worked together was truly chapel and renamed it the Chapel flush clearly resounded during Long Branch, inspiring! And, of course, both had Studio Theater. It was a perfect each play. The actors got used to NJ 07764. such incredible senses of humor as little venue to produce plays for it, but the audience always had a Submissions well as intellectual brilliance. a limited audience back then. It chuckle! My most enduring memory of Dr. was an intimate space for sure: I Marilyn Egolf Rocky ‘65 for the Letters Stunkel, however, occurred in late believe we were able to squeeze page are subject 1978. I was then a reporter and edi- in 24 seats for each performance. to editing for tor for The Outlook. For our final issue each semester, we put out a clarity and special edition called The Lookout length and must in which we satirized current hap- penings at Monmouth and around include the the world. Just one month earlier, writer’s name, in November 1978, the events at address, and Jonestown in Guyana occurred. Foolishly, I guess, we decided to phone number satirize this in The Lookout. I wrote for confirmation. the article and decided to make Dr. Stunkel the Jim Jones–like figure at Monmouth. Dr. Stunkel always had that larger-than-life persona and lots of charisma, so I felt he was a perfect fit. In the article, the avid Monmouth followers of Dr. Stunkel and his cult, “The Guggenheim Peoples Temple,” met a similar tragic fate as those at Jonestown. It was a fairly funny article that was generally Marilyn Egolf Rocky ’65 and the late Michael Fisher ’66 in a 1965 production of The Bald So- well received by the Monmouth prano that was performed in Withey Chapel. community. However, my biggest

04 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 concern was how Dr. Stunkel would react to it, especially since he was Expand your being compared to Jim Jones. We found out shortly after when Dr. Stunkel wrote a letter to the editor. He totally played along with it, and his humor in the letter certainly network. surpassed and even enhanced the humor of the original article. It was one of the funniest things The Outlook has ever published, and I still chuckle thinking of it. It shows what kind of person he was and just how funny he was. He never took himself too seriously. This led to an even longer collaboration with Dr. Stunkel, when soon afterward I became editor-in-chief during the second semester. I asked him to become a columnist for the paper, and he did for the remainder of that semester. His “Gadfly’s Corner” column enhanced The Outlook whenever he wrote one. And he wrote it most weeks, even continuing for Propel the entire 1979–80 school year. It certainly raised the intellectual level of our college paper. I graduated in May 1980, so I have no idea if he continued with this column. I hope that he did. His col- your career. umns were always witty, percep- tive, and extremely well written. They were probably over the Monmouth University’s Hawk Network is heads of most of us college kids. I a new digital community for professional always suspected he was writing them more for his colleagues than networking and development, mentoring the students. Whatever his rea- students, and reconnecting with classmates. sons, I was always thrilled when he sent us a new “Gadfly’s Corner.” What a coup for our paper! Activate your profile atmonmouth.edu/hawknetwork . Dr. Stunkel was a giant of a man. He will be sorely missed and never ever forgotten by those of us who knew him and were taught by him. Dan Stern ’80

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Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 05 Currents RESEARCH & REFLECTION

NEED TO KNOW » Topics & trends to fear from minorities than he does from anyone else. The liberal religious approach Dispatches to societal change is to tweak the structures of society so that individuals will then act accord- ingly, whereas the conserva- from the tive approach is to change the heart in order to change society. So the assumption with All in Culture Wars the Family is that the audience L. BENJAMIN ROLSKY’S NEW BOOK will see Archie Bunker and un- DOCUMENTS THE SPIRITUAL POLITICS OF derstand that it’s satire. Lear’s TELEVISION PRODUCER NORMAN LEAR programming isn’t going to tell AND THE RELIGIOUS LEFT. Footnotes you what to think. It’ll give you 1. LBR: The Religious Left the viewpoints; it’ll give you the INTERVIEW BY STEVE NEUMANN is an understanding of conversation. religion and its sacred Lear represents the pinnacle texts that speaks to he Rise and Fall of the Religious Left, the first social concerns, rather of that type of cultural influ- book from L. Benjamin Rolsky, illuminates our than having some sort of ence and power. All in the Fam- “born-again” conversion ily was on at a time when there current political moment by examining famed experience. We can talk T about the Religious Left as were only three networks, so television producer Norman Lear’s career as an example part of American religious hundreds of millions of people a liberalism, a broader tra- of liberal religious mobilization in opposition to the rise dition that includes Walt week could watch the show. Whitman, Emerson and of the Religious Right in the public sphere in the 1970s. Thoreau, etc. Lear’s career Did Lear’s approach to poli- in media is representa- We asked Rolsky, an adjunct professor in Monmouth’s tive of a Religious Left tics and societal change actu- Department of History and Anthropology, about his understanding of American ally work? religion and politics from I think it’s a very ambivalent outside the confines of research and reflections on these “Culture Wars,” and traditionally institutional legacy. My argument is that how he plans to continue his scholarship in that area. settings such as churches when Democrats started reach- or synagogues. ing out to minority communi- What’s the “elevator pitch” for to put a mirror up to the rest of 2. People for the American ties of various sorts, Republi- your book? us so we can theoretically be- Way is an advocacy group cans said, “OK, we’re going to founded by Lear in 1980 This is a story about the Reli- come better citizens.” to educate by combatting bring over the Archie Bunkers gious Left,1 which is in the news the seemingly invasive of the world, we’re going to dou- all over the place these days— How was a sitcom like All in media-savvy agenda of the ble down on those people for the newly formed Christian you watch any kind of Demo- the Family supposed to accom- Right. foreseeable future.” cratic debate and it’ll come up. plish something like that? I think the biggest naïveté of 3 3. The patriarch of the But it’s really the story of Nor- Archie Bunker is a poster 1970s sitcom All in the Lear and the Religious Left was man Lear and his career in me- child for what happened polit- Family was a bluntly that if you put the right stuff dia from All in the Family to his ically during the early 1970s. bigoted WWII veteran in front of people, then they’ll and warehouse dock nonprofit organization, People He’s someone who grew up worker who drove a taxi make the best choices. Take All for the American Way.2 during the Great Depression for extra income and lived in the Family as an example: You The book uses Lear as a case and the New Deal. He support- in a row house with his put the bigot in front of people family in Queens, New study for a broader understand- ed Democrats at one point be- York. He was portrayed and you assume that they won’t ing of politics: a progressive, civ- cause they were about labor and as being stubborn with his be as racist over time. That adult daughter, Gloria; ically minded vision of the pub- working class issues. But then argumentative with his was the perspective of Carroll lic square that says, “We don’t you have conservatives com- liberal son-in-law, Mike, O’Connor, the actor who played put a bigot on TV because we ing along who are very good at whom he dubbed “Meat- Archie Bunker. He said that Ar- head”; and dismissive and agree with the bigot; we put a getting the idea out there that condescending toward his chie is really meant for the dust- bigot on TV because he’s going someone like Archie has more deferential wife, Edith. bin of history.

06 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 illustration DAVIDE BONAZZI Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 07 CURRENTS

But then you’re kind of leav- 4. The terms “Religious Single-issue politics might be If you want anything to Right,” “Christian Right,” ing behind a group of people and “New Christian Right” good if you are in favor of the change, you’re going to have to who are going to feel ignored, are largely interchange- issue—whether it’s civil rights think about how you engage in and they’re going to feel con- able, and can be under- or gay marriage—but I don’t politics a little bit more prag- stood both as a collection descended to—right up un- of organizations, groups, think that reducing everything matically. You can’t just as- til the conservative adver- and individuals who down to these things helped sume that with something like tisement that says, “Are you organized on a grassroots progressives at all. I think if immigration, for example, peo- level, and as shorthand worried about the person of for a group of people led anything it turned politics ple are going to come up with color that’s going to take your not only by televangelists into marketing and market re- the best decision. but also by savvy political job? Then vote for us; we’re go- advisers. The “New Right” search. Religious conserva- ing to make sure that doesn’t describes a conservative tives came up with things like What’s next for your scholar- happen.” political movement be- Bible Scorecards5 in the 1970s ship? tween 1955 and 1964 that And the Religious Left of the centered around right- to help citizens understand I have a tentative title for time wasn’t necessarily a coali- wing libertarians, tradition- and judge the politicians based my next book: Establishments tion, or even a movement, because alists, and anti-communists on how they answered ques- and Their Fall: Direct Mail, at William F. Buckley’s it wasn’t that well organized. It National Review. tions about certain theologi- the New Right, and the Remak- wasn’t pragmatic, it was aspira- cal issues. The Religious Right ing of American Politics. E.J. 5. The Bible Scorecard, 6 tional. It wasn’t like the fine-tuned sometimes referred to as a has a certain understanding Dionne wrote a book about campaigns of the Religious Right,4 Biblical Scorecard, was a of how to be political, an un- how the Republican Party which only invested time, money, direct mail questionnaire derstanding of how to mobi- has tried to purify itself since authored by Evangelical and campaigning when the return pastor Jerry Falwell and lize people. For them, politics Barry Goldwater—purifying in on investment was going to be ap- other members of the is not about widening the cir- the sense that they’ve got- propriate. Religious Right in the cle and bringing in a diversity ten rid of the most moderate late 1970s to mobilize previously inactive of people, it’s about winning. dimensions of the party. My So despite Norman Lear’s Christians in American Another part of the fall is that contribution to that conver- presidential elections. domination of TV program- The questionnaire scored religious liberals have become sation would be an analysis ming in the 1970s, you say all the candidates on the too comfortable with turning of the forms of communi- that the Religious Left still purported moral issues of on something like The Colbert cation and technology that the election (e.g., abortion, experienced a significant fall. homosexuality, and nation- Report and thinking that that were used to make that puri- Why? al defense). was their political act for the fication possible. People usually talk about this day. I think they’ve gotten com- How did Republican PR peo- 6. Why the Right Went period as the “Culture Wars.” Wrong: Conservatism— fortable with a certain type of ple learn from Barry Goldwa- It’s that period of time since the From Goldwater to Trump cultural influence that didn’t ter’s failed campaigns? How did and Beyond. E.J. Dionne 1960s when we stopped arguing is an American journalist, necessarily translate into the the New Right strategists in the about things like gross domes- political commentator, and day-to-day mobilization and ac- 1970s deploy and use the mail- tic product and started arguing frequent op-ed columnist tivism that you need to actually ing lists of Goldwater to con- for The Washington Post. about who people should sleep make things happen. nect people in a way that they with. Politics since the 1960s had never been connected be- became about hot-button so- So what should those who fore? What if direct mail starts cial issues. I think that helped consider themselves to be on to reach these people in their the Religious Left when it was the Religious Left do today? mailboxes and they then know about civil rights, but I think Those who ascribe to or iden- they’re not alone? That the Re- it hurt them when it came to tify with the Religious Left have ligious Right will defend their abortion. to do a little self-examination. I Christian values to the hilt? When you make a movement think a simple suggestion would Direct mail was a way of about civil rights, you’re reduc- be to start talking to the Archie bringing people together in ing very broad traditions—like Bunkers again. We’ve ignored a relatively inexpensive way Judaism or Christianity—down them for a very long time, and that gave them a sense of iden- to particular issues of impor- in many ways they’ve come back tity, that let them know they tance. But that way of mobi- with a vengeance—and we won- were part of something big- lizing for something like civ- der why. ger. How are you going to get il rights, with explicitly moral, Part of the reason is, we’ve that housewife from subur- Christian language, then allows been distracted by the racist bia to get off her couch? You’re the rights of the unborn to be- things they’ve said. Racism is going to tell her that there are come a moral, theological issue, obviously something that we people moving into her neigh- too. Who gets to decide what should be concerned with; but borhood; you’re going to tell those issues of importance are at the same time, Archie Bun- her that what people do in the going to be? In one moment, it’s ker’s paycheck was dwindling. privacy of their own homes af- going to be civil rights, and in He was also suffering under the fects everyone, right? That’s another it’s going to be the un- conditions that led to the death the brilliance of conservative born fetus. of the working class. argumentation.

08 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 EXPLAIN THIS » with books,” Kunz says. “We Answering your burning questions need print-rich environments.” That means a house filled with diverse, high-quality reading material, displayed with ti- Q: How Can I tles facing out—and cozy, de- fined places to cuddle up with a book. (Kunz is a big fan of book Raise a Reader? nooks.) 2. Bring stories off the page. enneth Kunz, an assistant professor of literacy To get kids excited about what education, is such a print fanatic that he they’re reading, tie it into real- installed a Little Free Library outside his house. world experiences. Read a book K about wild animals? Treat the But that’s not the only way Kunz, who’s president of the kids to a day at the zoo. Young New Jersey Literacy Association and a board member of readers also love retelling a the International Literacy Association, is encouraging story they read by acting it out with props. (The perfect audi- people to read more. ence: you.)

At Monmouth, his research dents. Here, Kunz offers five 3. Make time for reading, but focuses on literacy interven- tips for parents hoping to raise don’t time it. Kunz calls out a tions in public schools, and the next generation of book- misconception about requir- this spring, he will co-publish lovers. ing kids to read 20 minutes a a new book: Literacy Change- day. Noting that reading aloud makers: How to Bring Joy Back 1. Access is key. “If you want should happen every day, espe- into Focus for Reading and a child to grow up to be a read- cially with young children, he Writing with Teachers and Stu- er, you have to surround them acknowledges that it isn’t always possible to find 20 minutes. Rather than setting min- imums (or ceilings) on book time, Kunz offers this advice: the “Read as much as humanly pos- 10-second HOW CAN I sible with your kid.” bonus question REWARD MY 4. Encourage their interests and embrace their choices. You know what your kids like. KIDS FOR Buy books that echo those interests. Have a daughter who READING? adores trees? Get her some The short answer: don’t—or at least Berenstain Bears books. If your son loved Diary of a Wimpy not with tangible prizes. Kunz Kid, encourage him to read the doesn’t recommend using reading whole series. Then let him re- logs or suggest offering pizza in read it. “People get hung up on reading level or challenge, but exchange for book time. “The more choice is going to lead to that,” you extrinsically motivate with prizes Kunz says. “What develops and rewards, the less value children our kids’ skills is voluminous reading.” see in reading,” he says. Instead, try accountability that isn’t linked to 5. Be a reading role model. prizes. Have your kids tell you about Let your kids see you with To ask a question of our a book in your hands. Share what they’re reading. Ask them faculty experts, email magazine@monmouth. what you’re reading with them. questions about it. Remind them of edu or mail Explain This, Talking about the characters Monmouth magazine, and stories you’re discovering how reading teaches them new words Alumni House, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, will encourage them to do the and makes them more empathetic. NJ 07764. same. —Molly Petrilla

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 09 tides CULTURE & COMMUNITY

“ Seeing how many first-gen kids there were at Monmouth ful: You’re not sure if colleges made me will even want you. There were Cross Talk want to so many things I didn’t know about the process as an un- TWO OF THE FIRST MONMOUTH FUTURE come here documented student. And this SCHOLARS GRADS TELL HOW THE PROGRAM even more. program really helped me with PREPARED THEM FOR SUCCESS. I knew I’d that. Two students in particu- fit in. lar—Ms. [Jennifer] Mora [’15, AS TOLD TO TONY MARCHETTI ’17M] and Ms. [Danielle] Mur- ” ray [’15, ’19M]—knew my situ- ince 2012, the Monmouth Future Scholars ation and still encouraged me program has sent graduate interns from the and spent extra time helping Seducational counseling program into Long me. Branch public schools to mentor 6th through 12th Martinez: Every year we came graders who exhibit academic potential. to Monmouth for something called Immersion Day. We’d Two of the program’s over- us with homework. Sometimes tour campus, attend work- arching goals are to increase we’d have assigned readings shops, and part of the day stu- high school graduation rates that we’d discuss the following dents from Monmouth’s First and increase college access week. to Fly program [first-generation for first-generation students, students] talked with us about say program directors Alyson Emily Martinez: As we got old- their experiences here. Seeing Pompeo-Fargnoli and Cindy er, we talked more about the how many first-gen kids there O’Connell. This is accomplished transition from high school to were at Monmouth made me using a multiyear curriculum college. We learned about the want to come here even more. I that aligns with the College, Ca- level of work that was expect- knew I’d fit in. reer, and Life Readiness Frame- ed in college, how to apply, how work, a research-backed ap- much college actually costs, Monzon: The program gave us proach that focuses on core what financial aid was available so many opportunities to see competencies middle and high to us. what Monmouth is about and school students should achieve When we started applying to showed us the great community so they’re well prepared for colleges, there was a Monmouth we could be a part of here. That higher education and life after student there each week guiding stayed with me while I was ap- college. us through that process, help- plying to colleges, and when it Last spring, the first group of ing us along as we were accept- came time to decide where to Long Branch students to enter ed to or declined by the schools go, I knew I wanted to be a part the Monmouth Future Scholars we applied to. I had friends who of this community. program graduated from high weren’t a part of the program, school, and two of the students and I don’t think they under- Martinez: It will be cool to be are now first-year business ma- stood the application process able to talk with the younger jors at Monmouth. They shared the way I did. Monmouth Future Scholars at how the program helped them Immersion Day this year and to along the way. Monzon: Applying to college be able to give something back is stressful for anyone—think- to the community. Maria Monzon: We were se- ing about how you’re going to lected to be a part of the first pay for it, knowing what you Monzon: We can say to them, OPPOSITE: Monzon, left, is group of scholars back in mid- have to hand in and when you a member of Monmouth’s “We were just in your spot a few dle school. Through the years, have to do it by. But for some- Student Government As- years ago. We know it can be a we met every week, sometimes one like me, who wasn’t born sociation. Martinez, right, bit stressful. But keep going, plays club field hockey and twice a week, with the interns in the U.S., applying to college is involved with the 5-6-7-8 keep pushing, because you can from Monmouth. They’d help is like 10 times more stress- Dance Club. do this too.”

10 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photo ANTHONY DEPRIMO Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 11 TIDES

HOW MONMOUTH WAS MADE » Landmarks & stories nizing itself to assume a teaching university mission,” says Pearson. After that meeting, Monmouth A long filed a new application, one that more clearly “showed we had the resource base to func- time coming tion as a university,” says Pear- HOW MONMOUTH COLLEGE BECAME son. A successful site inspec- A UNIVERSITY. tion by state officials followed in fall 1994, and a unanimous rec- BY TONY MARCHETTI ommendation from the Council of College Presidents in Febru- hen Monmouth attained university status 25 ary 1995 bolstered Monmouth’s chances. years ago this month, it was the culmination Finally, on March 24, 1995, Wof a nearly decade-long undertaking. at 10:40 a.m., the New Jersey Commission on Higher Educa- Beginning in the mid-1980s, the new guidelines, colleges tion granted university status to Monmouth and several other that offered a certain num- Monmouth. New Jersey colleges started lob- ber of graduate programs, met “It was a unanimous vote bying the state’s Board of High- specific enrollment standards, with one abstention: me,” reer Education to amend a 1966 and showed a commitment calls Bey. By then, he was chair law which prohibited institu- to excellence in teaching and of Monmouth’s Board of Trust- tions from becoming universi- learning could apply for teach- ees and serving on the state ties unless they offered doctor- ing university status, regard- commission. “I couldn’t vote al programs. less of whether they offered for my own school,” says Bey. But as then-Monmouth Pres- doctoral programs. But it didn’t matter, he adds. “I ident Samuel Magill explained “That description really fit us considered the vote a formali- in a 1988 New York Times op-ed, like a glove,” explains Stanley ty. We [Monmouth] had done such regulations weren’t in line Bey ’59, who was a Monmouth our homework and there were with the higher education land- trustee at the time. “So that’s no issues. All the questions scape in many other states. Even the course we took.” had been answered. All the re- more concerning, Magill wrote, Monmouth applied for teach- quirements had been met, and was that they were putting New ing university status, but be- “ we were ready to go.” Jersey “at a competitive disad- fore the Board of Higher Educa- Sirens Stafford was at the meet- vantage with neighboring states tion could issue a ruling, it was wailed and ing, and remembers that af- when it comes to higher-educa- disbanded, and replaced short- ter the vote was announced, tion opportunities.” ly thereafter by a new oversight a Dixie- she opened her suit jacket to College-bound seniors were body: the Commission on High- land band proudly reveal a Monmouth exiting the Garden State in er Education. played as University sweatshirt she had large numbers, he wrote, and it In summer 1994, then-Pres- made for the occasion. Af- was getting harder for colleges ident Rebecca Stafford and students, ter handing out some Mon- here to recruit from out of state, then-Provost Thomas Pear- faculty, mouth University hats to the since many students sought the son met with officials in Tren- staff, commissioners, Stafford, Bey, prestige that comes with at- ton to discuss Monmouth’s ap- Pearson, and the rest of the tending a university. In short, it plication. “It became clear we alumni, and Monmouth contingent headed was time to update the law to al- would have to do a bit of ‘infra- local media back to campus to celebrate. low New Jersey colleges the op- structure’ work,” such as des- filed into And oh, what a celebration it portunity to become universi- ignating which faculty mem- the Great was. Sirens wailed and a Dix- ties, Magill argued. bers would teach graduate ieland band played as stu- Over the next several years, courses and organizing exist- Hall. ‘This dents, faculty, staff, alumni, legislative attempts to do that ing academic programs un- is the end and local media filed into the fell short. Nonetheless, Magill der a number of schools, says of a long Great Hall. “This is the end of kept up the pressure until his Pearson. Much of the work a long dream,” Stafford told retirement in 1993. was already underway as part dream,’ the crowd. Bey, holding up a It wasn’t until 1994 that the of Stafford’s strategic plan for Stafford special edition of The Outlook state board finally relented, Monmouth. “But [in the appli- told the that bore the headline “A New amending its regulations and cation] there had to be a clear Era,” offered a toast: “Good- creating a new designation: indication to the commission crowd. bye, Monmouth College. Hel- teaching universities. Under that the college was reorga- ” lo, Monmouth University. We

12 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 love you!” Afterward, many The photo was featured on the continue to thrive. New build- in attendance paraded across cover of this magazine’s spring ings went up to accommodate campus and watched Stafford 1995 issue, the first to be pub- it all: McAllan, Rechnitz, Pozy- unveil the new Monmouth Uni- lished with “University” in the cki, Mullaney, and Hesse Halls; versity sign along Cedar Ave. nameplate. the Plangere Center; Ocean- “Memories soften over time, “Being named a university First Bank Center. Renovations but that’s one that will always is not the end; it is the begin- to Edison made it a state-of-the- remain foremost in my mind,” ning,” Bey told this magazine art science facility. says Mary Kane ’95 about at the time. Indeed, attaining University status also made it that day. “There was so much the designation brought new easier to recruit top-notch fac- energy and enthusiasm across challenges. Enrollment had ulty, says Pearson, who stepped campus.” As president of the already started increasing by down as provost in 2014 and Student Government Associ- March 1995; it continued to is today a professor of histo- ation for two years, Kane had climb once Monmouth became ry. “Not faculty who avoid stu- been closely involved with the a university. Stafford recalls dents in order to do their schol- application process. some people worried there arship, [but rather] faculty who A few days after Monmouth wasn’t enough classroom and bring their scholarship into became a university, she was residential space to accommo- their teaching to enrich it,” he recruited by former Universi- date the growing number of explains. ty Photographer Jim Reme for a ABOVE: Rebecca Stafford students, nor enough faculty “The idea was always to make photo shoot. and Stanley Bey ’59 (hands to teach them. sure that the real essence of raised in background) “We purchased a Monmouth unveil a new sign along It all worked out, of course. In Monmouth did not change as College sweatshirt at the book- Cedar Ave. on March 24, the years after Monmouth at- we grew into this university 1995, the day Monmouth store, then we crossed out the College became tained university status, new designation,” says Pearson. “I word ‘college’ and wrote ‘Uni- Monmouth University. academic programs were cre- think our mission as teacher versity’ on it,” recalls Kane. ated (including two doctor- scholars is still very strong, and See more photos from Reme photographed her with the celebration at al programs). The Centers of it’s been passed on to succes- Wilson Hall in the background. monmouth.edu/magazine. Distinction were founded and sive generations.” photo MONMOUTH ARCHIVES Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 13 TIDES

THIS IS MONMOUTH » The scene at West Long Branch Campus Briefs

A DAY FOR vant, more challenging, more urgent today than ever before,” CELEBRATION Leahy said. With pomp befitting the his- “If we can educate students toric circumstances, Mon- of competence, creativity, and mouth University formally in- compassion; if we can make our stalled Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D., first-class private education as as its 10th president on Oct. 18, accessible as possible; if we can 2019. Academic and legislative expand discovery to help solve leaders from across the region our nation’s problems; and if joined the University communi- we can continue to be forces ty in welcoming Leahy, who offi- for positive economic, cultural, cially took office on Aug. 1. and social development in our During his installation ad- communities, then we private dress, Leahy invoked the words colleges and universities really of President John F. Kenne- can serve a great national pur- dy, who during a 1963 speech at pose in the 21st century,” Lea- Amherst College asked, “What hy continued. “And if we here good is a private college or uni- at Monmouth University can do versity unless it is serving a all of this, then we will not only great national purpose?” participate in this effort in the “That question is more rele- years to come, we will lead it.”

14 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photos TINA COLELLA (TOP 2); ANTHONY DEPRIMO (BOTTOM AND OPPOSITE) Polling Institute conversation, and that’s really important.” again rated A+ The action part of the event For the third straight time, the featured a full day of workshops Monmouth University Polling in which students learned con- Institute has been rated one of crete skills they can use to end the best in the nation by the news sexual and gender-based cam- site FiveThirtyEight. The Mon- pus violence. mouth Poll was one of just six to Dinella said the goal now is to receive a grade of A-plus out of find sponsorship that will allow 430 polling operations reviewed the Conversation and Action se- by FiveThirtyEight. It also re- ries to become an annual event, so ceived the best “predictive” score that other relevant topics can be among these pollsters. explored. While elevating the public discourse on meaningful issues, the event teaches students “how Big wins for to have a conversation about controversial topics in a way that al- Model UN ABOVE: Jack Ford Ensuring a safe addresses the audience lows them to see all sides of the Monmouth’s Model UN team place for civil during last semester’s issue, and how to use that infor- had major wins at competitions Conversation and Action mation to make an impact in their discourse event. in London and Washington, D.C., community,” she said. last fall. At the Oxford University Last semester, a two- OPPOSITE: Scenes from International Model UN, where day Conversation and Action President Leahy’s Installa- teams from Oxford, Cambridge, event brought together experts tion. (Top) President Leahy School of Nursing and London School of Econom- from the legal, advocacy, law delivers his Installation address. (Middle) The ranked among best ics were among the universities enforcement, and higher edu- president flanked by Board competing, several Monmouth cation fields for a provocative of Trustees Vice Chairs The Marjorie K. Unterberg Jeana M. Piscatelli ’01, students won individual speak- discussion about sexual assault ’02M (left) and John A. School of Nursing and Health er awards: Kristen Gomez (Best and Title IX on college campus- Brockriede Jr. ’07, ’10M Studies was ranked as the No. 3 Delegate), Nick Boice (High es. Panelists left their talking (right), who presented him best nursing school in New Jer- the President’s Chain of Commendation), Payton Col- points behind as they debat- Office. (Bottom) The pres- sey, and among the Top 100 best lander (Honorable Mention), ed hypothetical scenarios based ident celebrating with his private nursing schools nation- and Mackenzie Ricca (Honorable on real-life cases of campus sex- family—daughters Molly wide, in the annual 2019 Nursing and Grace; wife, Amy; and Mention). In D.C., Monmouth’s ual assault, discussing a wide sons Jack and Brian—after Schools Almanac report. U.S. Delegation took home Out- range of topics including report- the ceremony. standing Delegation honors ing procedures, investigations, while Monmouth’s Jordan Dele- support and advocacy, adjudi- gation received Honorable Men- cation, and penalties. The dis- DEP Lauds tion distinction. cussion, which was moderated by Peabody- and Emmy-award Monmouth as a winning journalist Jack Ford, recycling leader Two firsts for the was based on the popular Fred Last fall, New Jersey’s Depart- Friendly Seminars: Participants ment of Environmental Protec- Debate Team were not meant to reach a con- tion recognized the University In October, Monmouth debat- sensus, but rather to engage in as an institutional leader for its ers Payton Collander and Antho- “high-level conversation … that broad-based program that result- ny Cendagorta finished first, and allows for diverging perspec- ed in recycling 46% of the waste Mia Ardovini-Booker and Bil- tives,” said Lisa Dinella, direc- generated on campus in 2018. ly Siefert finished second, at the tor of Monmouth’s Program Monmouth’s program includes University of Rochester’s Brad for Gender and Intersectional- initiatives to recycle glass, plas- Smith Invitational Debate Tour- ity Studies, which organized the tic, metal, aluminum, used light nament—the first time the De- event. bulbs, batteries, toner cartridges, bate Hawks have captured the “Universities have been crit- and more. The installation of hy- top two team awards in a compe- icized for presenting only one dration stations to encourage use tition. The following month, Ar- side of issues and for shut- of reusable containers and the dovini-Booker and Siefert won ting down conversations that donation of old electronic equip- first place at the Rutgers Univer- are controversial,” said Dinel- ment, clothes, and books to char- sity Newark tournament, securing la. “That Monmouth University ities were also cited as contrib- the Debate Hawks’ first-ever back- hosted this event is progressive. uting factors to the University’s to-back championship wins. We’re not shying away from this successful program.

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 15 TIDES

A DAY AT THE BEACH » Coastal moments, captured SPRING IS IN THE AIR Colors blur and light up the evening sky at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

photo16 MONMOUTH TOM LOZINSKI XXXissue yearXXX photo NAME NAME Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 17 PLAy SPORTS & FITNESS

On the field and in the classroom 4x MAAC regular season and tournament champion Goals. We investigated how those goals are being imple- mented on a global scale, as well more than as at the local level through sus- tainability initiatives enacted by the Asbury Park City Council. Just a Game 3x Ultimately, that’s why I headed SOCCER MIDFIELDER ESTHER WELLMAN HAS MAAC All-Academic to Rhode Island between MAAC FOUND SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Team selection playoff games: I was presenting my findings from that research. AS TOLD TO MOLLY PETRILLA (Almost everyone there thought I was a Ph.D. student!) In January, I had the oppor- e had just won our MAAC semifinal game tunity to travel to India with 6x Dr. Datta, Associate Profes- against Niagara, but I didn’t have much time Dean’s List honoree sor Joseph Patten, and my fel- Wto celebrate. As soon as I left the field that low Monmouth Hawks Debate night, I showered and jumped in my car to drive straight Team members. Being fully im- mersed in the culture there was to Rhode Island. I had another major event slated an incredible, once-in-a-life- for the next morning: presenting my research at the time experience. In Mumbai, International Studies Association-Northeast conference, we visited nongovernmental organizations and at-risk schools, just 12 hours after my game ended. where we taught students the structure of debate and dis- When I was younger, I had ter taking another poly-sci class cussed the issue of gender in- hoped college would be a place the following semester with In- equality in India and around the where I could balance my love structor Ryan Tetro, I walked world. When the students stood for soccer with academics. But, into my advisor’s office and said, up and debated to show us how honestly, the way both have un- “I need to make this my major.” much they had learned, I could folded these last few years has Things took off from there. I in- not have been more proud. My been a surprise even to me. terned at a small law firm in New hope is that they will continue I’m the third in a family of four York City during the summers to hone their critical thinking, girls, and I’ve been playing soc- after my freshman and soph- analytical thinking, and public cer since I was 5. At first it was omore years. As a junior, I did speaking skills. mostly about keeping up with mentored research with Assis- When I arrived at Monmouth my older sisters, but soon my tant Professor of Sociology Jen- four years ago, I had no idea all love for the game grew much nifer McGovern, analyzing the of these experiences lay ahead deeper. For years, I spent al- socioeconomic backgrounds of of me. (Nor could I have predict- most every free moment prac- elite women’s soccer players. ed the four MAAC champion- ticing or playing in games and Our findings were published last ship rings I’d win with the soc- showcases all over the country. June and reported on in media cer team.) I feel so lucky to have By the time I was in high school, outlets around the world. connected with professors who I knew I wanted to play Division Another one of my professors, create such amazing opportuni- I soccer in college, but I arrived Interim Provost Rekha Datta, ties for their students. They ex- at Monmouth still unsure what suggested I apply for the 2019 tend the invitations, but then subject I wanted to study. Then Summer Scholars Program. OPPOSITE: Wellman got it’s up to you to take them. I be- I took a political science class I spent last summer working the mehndi design, visible lieve college is what you make with Professor Ken Mitchell. I with her on a research project on her left hand, at a Lohri of it, and I’ve worked hard to celebration she attended loved everything about it—the that examined the United Na- with other Monmouth make the most of these past four material, the way he taught. Af- tions’ Sustainable Development debaters while in India. years.

18 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photo ANTHONY DEPRIMO Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 19 PLAY One for the ages FOOTBALL’S REMARKABLE SEASON CAPPED BY A BEVY OF HONORS FOR KEY PERSONNEL. BY GREG VISCOMI

hough it ended sooner than hoped, the 2019 season was nonetheless a historic one for the TMonmouth University football program. The Hawks won their first-ever ence (ECAC) and Big South Of- Big South title and NCAA playoff fensive Player of the Year, threw game, in the process setting mul- for 3,684 yards and 30 touch- tiple school records and achiev- downs—both Monmouth single- ing the program’s highest-ever season records. His 3,861 total rankings in the national polls. yards was also a program high. Monmouth captured the Big The fifth-year senior finished South Championship—and with his career as Monmouth’s all- it, the league’s automatic bid time leader in passing yards into the Football Championship (9,642), passing touchdowns Subdivision (FCS) playoffs— (70), passing attempts (1,290), with a dominating 47-10 win at and completions (798). Campbell University on Nov. Guerriero set Monmouth 16. Two weeks later, in front of a records for rushing yards and spirited Kessler Stadium crowd, all-purpose yards en route to be- the Hawks rolled over Holy coming a consensus All-Amer- Cross, 44-27, in the first round ican. The explosive redshirt ju- of the playoffs. nior led the NCAA with 1,995 The Hawks came up short the rushing yards while scoring 18 following week in their sec- touchdowns. A true all-purpose ond-round showdown against threat, he added a pair of touch- James Madison. Still, as Head down receptions and 336 yards Coach Kevin Callahan pointed receiving. His third-place finish out afterward, one game “cannot in voting for the Walter Payton overshadow what we have done Award, which is given annually this season and what the team has to the FCS’s top offensive play- done for Monmouth University.” er, was the highest finish ever Callahan’s squad finished 11-3 for a Hawk. overall—setting a school record For his part, Callahan took for wins in a season—while go- home Big South, ECAC, and ing 6-0 in conference play. They American Football Coaches As- were ranked as high as 11th in sociation (Region II) Coach of the American Football Coach- the Year honors, and finished es Association poll, and finished fourth in voting for the Eddy 12th in the STATS FCS poll— Robinson Award, which is be- both program bests. Along the stowed on the nation’s top FCS way, the offensive unit set a num- coach. The only head coach in ber of program records, includ- the history of Monmouth foot- ing points per game, total offense, ball, Callahan now has 163 ca- and rushing offense. Two key rea- reer wins. He’ll get the chance sons for that were quarterback for number 164 on Sept. 5, when Kenji Bahar ’19 and running back the Hawks travel to SHI Sta- Pete Guerriero, who established dium to take on Rutgers. The themselves as two of the top play- game will mark the first time ers in the country. Monmouth football will face a Bahar, who was named the East- team from the Big Ten or any of ern Collegiate Athletic Confer- the power five conferences.

20 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 illustration JOSUE EVILLA Making the most of a first impression

IN ITS DEBUT SEASON IN the America East Conference, the field hockey team captured the East Division Regular Season Championship outright, posting a perfect 5-0 record in league play. Five Hawks were named to all-conference teams, and the coaching staff, led by Carli Figlio, was recognized as the conference staff of the year. Monmouth, which hosted the conference tournament, entered as the No. 1 seed. The Blue and White defeat- ed the California Golden Bears, 4-3, in the semifinals before falling in the final minutes of the championship to Stanford, 2–1. The Hawks, who finished 14-5 on the season, were ranked in the Penn Mon- to/National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Coaches Poll for seven consecutive weeks—the last two at No. 20, the program’s highest-ever ranking.

Compiled from Office of Athletics Communication and New Media reports.

photo KARLEE SELL Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 21 EDITED BY TONY MARCHETTI ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARK MATCHO

e asked readers to share stories about the jobs they worked in college, and alumni responded with tales of Whow they discovered unknown talents, developed self- confidence, or found fulfilling careers—and even lifelong love. Here are some of our favorites. For more, visit monmouth.edu/magazine.

Model employee For most of college, I worked nights and weekends at Bamberger’s in the infants’ department. We were required to wear white nurse’s uniforms so customers would think we knew what we were talking about. In my junior year, I was offered an additional job in Monmouth’s art department as a life model—that is, modeling in the nude! The benefits? A job on campus (no commuting), I could work between classes (nights free), and there was no uniform (no clothes at all actually). Best of all: The pay was almost three times what I made at Bamberger’s. On day one I was a nervous wreck, wondering if I was pretty, skinny, or sensuous enough. During my first break, I over- heard a student and teacher discussing me and my fears vanished. To the art students I was just shape and shadow, muscle and form—not a centerfold. In time, I became so comfortable I even fell asleep during a session. To this day it still counts as the best, easiest job I’ve ever had. Tikki Biondic Russell ’72 Orange, Texas

22 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 PREPPING FOR THE RAT RACE Wanting to get a job in my future field of psychology, I took the only one that was available to me at Monmouth: feeding the rats that were used in experiments. Since then, I have had to deal with a lot of “rats” in other jobs, so that was a good way to start my education. Sunny (Slack) Donald ’72 La Jolla, California

DESIGNATED The write stuff DRIVER I learned I could write by taking a creative writing class, and One of my jobs at Monmouth was giving guest my success in the class led me to join the editorial board of Monmouth Letters, the school’s literary magazine. Now that I speakers a ride home or to the airport. Some was a starving artist—literally—I needed a job to pay rent, buy of the people I met included George Plimpton, food, and pay off my student loans. A trip to Monmouth’s then of Paper Lion fame, and Harrison job placement office led to a three-year stint as a copywriter at WJLK-AM in Asbury Park, New Jersey—part time during Salisbury, the one-time Moscow editor and the school year, and eight-hour days during the summer. managing editor of The New York Times. Given My college work experience and GPA eventually led to a Mr. Salisbury’s profession, I thought we would full scholarship to the University of Denver for a Master’s in Mass Communication, which in turn led me to a 46-year have an interesting political conversation career in advertising. And it all started with that creative during the one-hour drive to his home in writing class. I owe all my successes to Monmouth. Fran Scannell ’68 New York City. But it turned out he loved Denver, Colorado automobiles, and when he saw my Triumph Spitfire all we talked about were sports cars the entire ride. Joseph B. Rall ’69, ’72M Laurence Harbor, New Jersey

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 23 Critical experience I had a for-credit internship at the Asbury Park Press, which led to a paid position as an editorial assistant, which led to my working as the paper’s music critic during the summers before and after senior year. I went to dozens of performances in and around Asbury Park, did phone interviews with musicians, and received free albums from record labels. Several shows stood out. The Talking Heads and the B-52s at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall: That was some double bill, even if interviewing B-52s singer Fred Schneider was like pulling teeth. The Ramones at the Paramount: 30 songs in 70 minutes—gabba gabba hey! The Who at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic: Their first show after Kenney Jones replaced the late Keith Moon on drums. After the second summer ended, I decided to explore other areas of journalism, but that’s a whole ’nother story. David Wilson ’80 Woodbridge, New Jersey

GOOD SPORT I served as sports editor of The Outlook in the early ’60s and was surprised one day when I received a phone call from the managing editor of the (now defunct) Long Branch Daily Record. She had been receiving The Outlook each week and thought I could help them produce a daily sports section until the editor, who was hospitalized, returned. I met her and was quickly hired at the ungodly salary (to me) of $70 per week. That became my college job because, when the sports editor returned, he made me his assistant. I later worked for several other newspapers and was twice named New Jersey Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. I attribute it all to my first college job at good old Monmouth. Chuck Hassol ’61A Leesburg, Florida

24 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 Answering the call I was a dispatcher for the Monmouth University Police and worked LOVE AMONG overnight shifts for several years while completing my undergrad degree. I saw everything from 3 a.m. dorm lockouts to various medical emergencies while on duty. Occasionally, the officers brought someone into the station THE SUDS for some youthful shenanigans and I would realize, “Uh-oh, that guy is in When I joined TKE, I learned a lot of my Monday morning history class! This is going to be super awkward!” the brothers worked in the school Since graduating, I have continued working as an on-call dispatcher because I believe in the good work Monmouth does as a whole and that the cafeteria. I joined them, thinking it MUPD does specifically. would be a good way to meet girls. I Sean Quinn ’08, ’11M started out in the dish room, which Morristown, New Jersey was a hot and dirty job with little downtime, and eventually worked my way up to student manager. That had its perks: I got to eat for free and hang out in front looking professional. As for meeting girls? I met Wendy Stempler, an elementary education major who was the same year as me, when she was busing tables and loading dishes onto the conveyor belt. When I became manager, she worked for me, and I often gave in and gave her easier work. The rest, as they say, is history. Wendy and I have been married for 45 wonderful years. Allen (Buke) Bukowsky ’72 Warren, New Jersey

double duty I worked two internships my senior year that couldn’t have been more different from one another. As a STEM instructor at Snapology, I ran educational parties and community events for children ages 4 to 12. At Stratus Technology, I sourced leads COLLEGE JOBS IN 2020 and developed strategies to fill We asked Aimee Parks ’98, ’00M, Monmouth University’s assistant director staffing roles for IT companies. And of human resources for student employment, about the types of jobs today’s I did all of that while holding down a Monmouth students work. six-class course load with mostly 300- “Today’s Monmouth students are peer mentors, elementary school tutors, and 400-level classes. I miss every shark taggers, debate coaches in Asbury Park and Long Branch schools, re- minute of the chaos of my senior searchers for the Urban Coast Institute, lab assistants in 3D printing labs, as- year. Enduring all of it made real life a sistants in the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, whole lot easier. and so much more,” says Parks, who worked as a Night Hawk (front desk se- Kenny Morgan ’19 curity in the dorms) as an undergraduate. “Students who take full advantage Blairstown, New Jersey of the professors and staff who serve as mentors for these jobs add so many amazing, career-building experiences to their résumés.”

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 25 Stone in her stables with Samson, a 14-year-old buckskin quarter horse.

26 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photo NAME NAME RENÉ STONE DISCOVERED THE BENEFITS OF EQUINE THERAPY WHILE RECOVERING FROM HER OWN PERSONAL TRAUMA. NOW SHE’S USING HORSES TO HELP VETERANS SUFFERING FROM PTSD.

BY NICK DIULIO t had been nearly four PHOTOS BY JOHN EMERSON decades since Michael served as a combat soldier in Vietnam, but he bore psychological wounds that Ifelt as raw as they did when he first returned home. And they showed no sign of healing. He was perpetually fearful of open spaces and couldn’t recall the last time he’d slept through the night, tormented as he was by terrors that awoke him at odd intervals, compelling him to uncomfortably wedge himself under his bed for some sense of security. But then he visited Serenity Stables, and something fundamental began to change. Founded in 2015 by Monmouth Uni- ney, and that’s when I realized we have versity alumna René Stone, Serenity a very powerful way to heal these men.” Stables, From Combat to Calm, is a non- And Stone knows better than most profit farm in Atlantic Highlands, New just how profound a role horses can Jersey, that provides what’s known as play in processing and healing the scars equine-assisted therapy to U.S. veter- of trauma. After all, it was a horse that ans returning from deployment with a saved Stone from her own psychologi- broad range of physical, psychological, cal turmoil many years ago. and emotional disabilities. It’s part of a growing trend across the country aimed at using the unique temperament and tone’s love of horses stretches intuition of domesticated horses to help back to her childhood growing up veterans work through myriad develop- Sin Keyport, New Jersey, when her mental and physical disabilities, includ- boyfriend’s sister brought Stone to visit ing the severe mental health challeng- her stable in Holmdel. Stone’s affection es that stem from post-traumatic stress for horses was immediate, not only be- disorder (PTSD). cause of the animals’ aesthetic beauty, “I grew up around military men, and I but also because of their distinctive and know that when these men are trauma- disarming disposition. tized, they won’t sit on a couch and talk “When you’re around horses you re- to someone about how they feel. And alize right away that they are very pres- here’s the thing about PTSD—when ent. It’s not like being with a dog. Dogs you have PTSD you don’t feel anything,” really just want to please you. And says Stone, a mortgage loan origina- they’re predatory by nature. But hors- tor by trade who has more than two de- es are prey animals, and that means cades of experience owning and caring they are consistently reading and sens- for horses. “There’s a change that hap- ing their environment,” says Stone, who pens to you on a biological level when graduated from Monmouth in 1992 at you’re traumatized. You’re frozen. It’s the age of 29 with a degree in commu- not that you don’t want to cry, it’s that nications. “That’s how they’ve survived you don’t know where crying is. What for millions of years. And when you’re the horses do is evoke emotion. They with a horse they bring you right into unlock the frozen part of you. And no the present moment as well. You need matter how hard you try to stay fro- to stay present or you’re going to get zen, you are going to melt when you’re hurt. And that’s a real gift, because most around them.” of us aren’t in the present. We’re think- “ And that’s precisely what happened ing about yesterday or worrying about There’s a with Michael. As part of a larger group tomorrow.” change that of Vietnam vets visiting the farm one To be sure, Stone had plenty to worry morning in 2017, Stone asked Michael about during her formative years, which happens to you to walk into the field and spend some were both financially strained and emo- on a biological time with her stable of six horses. Not tionally tumultuous. When Stone was level when to ride them or walk them or groom just 13, her father—a former Merchant them—just to spend time with the herd. Marine who suffered from PTSD—at- you’re And as he found himself standing there tempted to take his own life at home traumatized. amongst the animals, their unavoidable one afternoon. In a panic, Stone’s moth- You’re frozen. evocation of presence and immediacy er called the police, who entered the helped Michael begin healing in ways house and eventually wound up shoot- It’s not that that were as surprising as they were in- ing Stone’s father through Stone’s bed- you don’t want stantaneous. room door, leaving him paralyzed from to cry, it’s that “He came back from the field and said the waist down. to me, ‘I can’t believe this, but that’s the “I spent the next several years in and you don’t know first time in decades that I’ve been out out of VA (Veterans Affairs) hospitals where crying in an open space when I wasn’t thinking trying to get care for my father, who is. What the about being ambushed,’” recalls Stone. eventually needed to have his legs am- horses do is “About four days later I got a call from putated,” recalls Stone, whose mother Michael’s therapist and he told me that died of lung cancer four years after the evoke emotion. Michael woke up in his bed after sleep- shooting. “I spent a lot of time with the They unlock ing through the night for the first time men at those hospitals, and it was just a the frozen part in as long as he could recall. And that god-awful site. Men suffering or dying was after just one session with the hors- on gurneys. Rats in the hallways. Just of you. es! This was very early on in our jour- wretched. I would sometimes play pia- ”

28 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 no for them and sing songs, and I prom- ised myself that one day I would do something to help them.” Stone also vowed to buy her own horse once she’d graduated from college, a dream that was financially out of the question during her youth. And so, shortly after graduating from Monmouth, she leased her first “crazy thoroughbred” and then bought her own horse in 1997, a roan thoroughbred named Tristan who is currently 30 years old. “I think the real reason I always wanted my own horse is that I just love the experience,” she says. “There’s something very spiritual about the connection you have with them. There’s no other feeling like it in the world.” And this, says Stone, is what makes these animals so ideally therapeutic for victims of trauma. Not only are they mystifyingly captivating, but they also reflect one’s internal state of mind at all times. “They can hear your heart beat from four feet away. They can sense a tiger from a quarter mile away and they can Former Marine Mark Otto (foreground) was tell whether or not that tiger is hungry,” the first veteran to go through Stone’s pro- says Stone. “So if you’re afraid or tim- gram. Now, he brings other veterans from the Samaritan Daytop Village to Stone’s id or at peace, the horse will mirror and farm each week. “It is very fulfilling to share reflect that emotion. That’s how they’ve this experience so that other veterans can survived. They’re always reflecting.” benefit from it as well,” says Otto. Before Stone could merge her pas- sion for horses with her internal prom- ise to help U.S. vets, she first had to en- dure even more personal tragedy of her own. In 1997, her horse kicked her in the head, fracturing her skull and caus-

“Engaging with the horses ing a traumatic brain injury from which has helped clear my mind,” she took more than a year to fully re- says Will, a former Marine. cover. Shortly thereafter, Stone was in- He is pictured with Texas, a 21-year-old Tennessee walk- volved in a car accident that resulted in er whose owner, an Army the death of a young boy—and that, she colonel, loans him to Stone says, was when she first began to realize to use in the program. that she too was suffering from PTSD. “And the only place I could go to feel any degree of peace was at the barn with Tristan,” says Stone. “That’s when I first made the connection. Tristan saved my life. And he was a very good therapist.” Equine therapy was barely in its in- fancy at the time, but in 2012 Stone purchased 25 acres of land in Virginia, where she figured she would start her own program 10 or 15 years down the road, assuming she’d wait until she retired from the mortgage business. But fate, she says, had other plans. Three years after purchasing the Vir- ginia property, Stone learned that a 15-acre farm two miles from her house was up for lease, so she decided to take a look. The evening after she visited the

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 29 property, Stone says she woke up in the process their feelings. But with equine According to Stone, the Eagala model middle of the night with an unshak- therapy, it’s about a relationship be- asks therapists to watch for four differ- able conviction that she should begin tween the client and the horse, which ent signifiers: shifts, patterns, unique- her equine therapy journey much soon- I help facilitate,” says Brooke Lichter ness, or discrepancies. er than expected. So she leased the land ’14, ’16M, a licensed social worker who “Let’s say I send a veteran to go in- in early 2015, got her necessary certifi- earned her bachelor’s and master’s de- troduce himself to the herd. As he ap- cations, and by the spring of that year grees in social work from Monmouth. proaches, I notice all the horses stop Serenity Stables began treating its first Lichter—who is certified through the and don’t move. Then suddenly one veterans—and it has served more than Professional Association of Therapeu- of the horses walks around in a cir- 1,000 individuals since. tic Horsemanship International as an cle. That’s a shift and a pattern,” says “When I sit back and think about it, equine specialist in mental health and Stone. “Then the circling horse paws I’m struck by how we should all listen learning—was instrumental in helping on the ground over and over again. to the voice inside of us that pushes us Stone create Serenity Stables and now That’s another pattern. So I might toward our destinations,” says Stone. serves as the program’s mental health pull the client back and say, ‘Hey, no- “This project was the first time I actual- specialist. tice how that horse is pawing the ly did that. And it’s been amazing.” “It’s really the horses who are the ther- ground?’ And he’ll say, ‘I was digging apists,” says Lichter, adding that she for a bomb. And it exploded.’ Now he’s and Stone follow therapeutic guide- crying for the first time in 10 years, t’s important to understand that lines established by the Equine Assisted and only then can he begin to process equine-assisted therapy is not about Growth and Learning Association (Ea- what he’s feeling.” Iriding horses or conversing with gala) through which they are both cer- Currently, most visits take place on a human therapist in the traditional tified. “The client will tell me their goals Wednesdays, when a group of vets be- sense. Instead it’s about allowing veter- and I, as the mental health professional, gins with lunch at a nearby restau- ans to interact with the horses in myri- try to facilitate exercises that will help. rant hosted by Mark Otto, executive ad ways, giving them time to reflect on It’s my job to help them work things out director of the United War Veterans those interactions, and then using those with the horse and then come to their Council. After lunch the vets come to reflections to open pathways to healing. own conclusions. I don’t give solutions the farm, where they’re encouraged “Talk therapy is when I ask a ques- or advice, because it’s all about learning to walk around and meet the hors- tion and the client responds in order to from the horse.” es. Stone and Lichter ask them which

Jack, who served in the Navy from 1998 to 2001, finds a moment of calm with Samson.

30 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 Stone has served more than 1,000 veterans anced and insightful reflections these at Serenity Stables. “This whole experience has really humbled me greatly,” she says. vets bring to the process. For instance, Stone was working with a group last summer and she was bothered by how much grass had grown in the horses’ ring. It was irritating, she says, because the horses just wanted to eat the grass, making it extremely difficult for the men to lead the animals through their obstacle courses. “When we finished the session I asked one of the guys, ‘What did you think?’ And he said, ‘Ya know, I looked at all the grass, and I realized the grass is like our addictions. The horses needed to focus, but all they wanted was grass all the time.’ That just blew me away,” says Stone. “That had nothing to do with me. It’s all about the horses. The horses will always show you what you need to see.” On a typical week Stone says she sees between five and 10 veterans at Seren- ity Stables, the vast majority of whom are post-9/11 combat soldiers in their horse they feel connected to, and the “ 30s who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. women will instruct them on how to And even though Stone has established groom the animal of their choice. After Let’s say I long-term relationships with various that Stone either teaches them how to send a VA hospitals in the region, one of the lead a horse or she might let the hors- veteran to most significant challenges is actually es loose in the field to let clients sim- getting veterans to come out to the farm ply observe the animals’ behavior. The go introduce in the first place. session then becomes slightly more himself to the “When they get back from active duty concentrated when Stone and Lichter herd. ... I might these vets are injured and in mental ask the vets to each build an obstacle collapse,” says Stone. “They’ve experi- course using myriad objects—cones, pull the enced consistent trauma, and then they jugs, buckets, wood—each one rep- client back return home and they’ve lost their unit. resenting something they’re strug- and say, ‘Hey, Their herd. They were injured in their gling with, something they’re current- herd, and they need to be healed in a ly bothered by, or something they may notice how herd. And that’s part of what we pro- even be happy about. that horse vide, so long as they’re willing to partic- “Then we ask them to try and lead a is pawing the ipate.” horse through the obstacles and tell the ground?’ And To be sure, Stone’s experience with Se- horse anything they want to get off their renity Stables has not only changed the chest, because horses are very good lis- he’ll say, ‘I was lives of hundreds of U.S. vets, but it’s teners,” says Stone. “So let’s say they digging for also changed her in ways she couldn’t build a structure that represents fear a bomb. And have imagined before she started this or apprehension and the horse stops program nearly five years ago. and won’t go through it. I might then it exploded.’ “This whole experience has really ask them to write down a word that Now he’s humbled me greatly, and it’s made me a represents what’s bothering them. But crying for much more patient and calmer person. we never ask the vets how they’re feel- If you just quiet your mind and body, ing. That’s not what they want to talk the first time you can probably recover from any- about, because they don’t know how in 10 years, thing. I didn’t used to think that way,” they’re feeling. It’s always related back and only then says Stone. “And I see it all the time to the horse, so we only ask questions with these men. I remember one time a surrounding the horse and its behav- can he begin vet said to me, ‘Every time I come here, ior. The horses become the metaphor to process something bad falls off me.’ That right for what is going on with them [the vet] what he’s there is more of an accomplishment subconsciously.” feeling. than any of the mortgage accounts I’ve Time and time again, Stone says closed or awards that I’ve won. I will she is surprised by the extremely nu- ” never forget it as long as I live.”

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 31 OUR Warming PLANET

MONMOUTH FACULTY WEIGH IN ON THE DEFINING ISSUE OF OUR TIME: CLIMATE CHANGE.

BY BREANNE MCCARTHY ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEX NABAUM

32 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 ast September, millions of people took part in global demonstrations to demand that action be taken Lto address climate change. In November, more than 11,000 scientists from around the world issued a joint public statement in the journal BioScience warning of the “untold suffering” humanity will face if inaction regarding climate change continues.

Shortly thereafter, Italy became the first country in the world to announce that it will require climate change studies be taught in classrooms as part of a student’s compulsory education. These are but a few of the recent mile markers dot- ting our journey through the Anthropocene, the pro- posed name for our current epoch, suggested in part to indicate the impact human activity is having on our climate and environment. And while opinions vary on what should be considered the actual starting point of the Anthropocene, the vast majority of scientists do agree that, in recent decades, the impact humans are having on the climate and environment is irrefutably harmful—and could soon be irreversible. Within this context, Monmouth University’s faculty organized a Climate Crisis Teach-in last fall. The day- long symposium featured experts from across the disciplines examining what the United Nations has called “the defining issue of our time.” In sometimes stark terms, they explained how climate change is already impacting everything from international law and cultural beliefs to our own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They also shared insights on what the average person can do to help prevent further damage. Here, with permission, we highlight a few of their talks.

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 33 Our love affair with capitalism is killing the planet A SOCIOLOGIST’S PERSPECTIVE.

o Nancy Mezey, the root cause of climate products—it comes with a straw, “ it comes with a single-use bag, it change is abundantly clear: global capitalism’s comes with plastic and Styro- we continue T demand for production and consumption. foam,” says Mezey. “We super- to exasper- size everything and can’t pos- ate existing sibly eat it all … so, we throw it problems “We love to love capitalism,” emissions in the United States, out, and just by throwing out says Mezey, a professor of so- with energy use listed as a close our food, it creates an enormous across ciology and dean of the Hon- second; both are due to the carbon footprint.” sectors ors School. “The bottom line burning of fossil fuels. The agri- But there is hope, says Mezey. because of for capitalism is to increase the cultural sector is another major Individuals, companies, and even profitability of corporations … offender, with farms contribut- some communities are slowly our obses- and the very growth that corpo- ing 9% of greenhouse gas emis- making efforts to change. New sion with rations rely on causes the degra- sions in the United States. York City, for example, is at- consump- dation of this Earth.” What makes these figures tempting to adopt a circular econ- In today’s post-industrial con- worse, says Mezey, is that we omy, a widescale effort that aims tion. We cut sumer economy, a corporation’s continue to exasperate exist- to have no additional energy and trees that major focus is to produce as ing problems across sectors be- production going into the econ- absorb much as possible in hopes that cause of our obsession with omy, as well as no more waste consumers buy as much as pos- consumption. We cut trees that going out. carbon to sible, says Mezey. And thanks absorb carbon to either build But while that’s a step in the either build to advances in technology and roads with heat-absorbing black right direction, Mezey points roads with companies like Amazon, con- asphalt (so Amazon can deliver out that the biggest change that heat- suming has never been easier. our products) or to clear space needs to happen is a cultur- “You could have purchased a for cultivating crops and live- al one. Individuals must rec- absorbing car or purchased all of your gro- stock for food. Raising animals ognize the problems that exist black ceries in just the five minutes in and of itself requires enor- with regard to Americans’ over- asphalt (so you’ve been reading this,” says mous amounts of water, crops, consumption in order to affect Mezey. “We make it so easy to and land, and as Mezey points change across the larger politi- Amazon can consume, and not only do we out, livestock and food waste cal and economic systems. deliver make it so easy to consume, but contribute large amounts of “Scientists tell us climate change our prod- we love to consume.” methane, which is 85 times is happening. We know that we Why? Because the act of con- more potent than carbon diox- have the technology to reduce our ucts) or to suming makes us feel good, says ide, and nitrous oxide, which is carbon footprint. We just have to clear space Mezey. But the never-ending almost 300 times more potent convince people,” says Mezey. “To for cultivat- cycle of overconsumption and than carbon dioxide, through- ignore people’s hearts and minds overproduction comes with a out the duration of their life. is really a dangerous thing, and I ing crops hefty price tag: an ever-growing “Not only are we using a lot of think that’s really where we’re at and live- carbon footprint. Transporta- land and natural resources, but right now. We can’t ignore peo- stock tion is currently the largest con- we also create a lot of waste be- ple’s hearts and minds, so we have for food. tributor of anthropogenic (hu- cause everything that we con- to convince people that climate man-caused) greenhouse gas sume comes with throwaway change is real.” ”

34 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 THE ART OF SOWING DOUBT IT’S EASY TO MAKE PEOPLE QUESTION FACTS, SAYS ONE RHETORICIAN. THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION.

climate scientist, a ly as she predicts it—something no sci- an appeal to rationality, through say- French politician, entist would ever do, says Love. ing, ‘Let’s not freak out about this, let’s “With the scientific method … we are be calm, let’s move slowly,’” says Love. A and an industrialist only willing to go to 99% because we “The industrialist will say immedi- walk into a bar … have a disciplinary duty to acknowl- ately, ‘Well of course I’m motivated by edge that we might be wrong about the market: I want to save you mon- That’s the setup for an anecdote, some things along the way,” he says. ey. I might not do what you’re recom- made popular by French philoso- “So, the industrialist starts by creating mending, but your bottom line will be pher Bruno Latour, that Assistant that doubt, then goes on to say that ac- better, and who knows if anything will Professor of English Patrick Love ademics or specialists are financially change.’” shares to explain his area of re- motivated—they want their research And though Love acknowledges there search—rhetoric, or in this case, agenda to continue, they want to con- is no clear antidote to combatting the agnotology, which is the study of tinue getting funded, they want to rhetoric used by those who reject main- culturally induced doubt, partic- keep studying this problem because it stream climate science, the more im- ularly when it comes to the pub- lines their pockets somehow.” portant course of action is to reframe lication of inaccurate or mislead- Love says the industrialist would then the discussion as one about morals. The ing scientific data (think: climate oversimplify the issue, acknowledging state of doubting that climate change is change doubters). that something might be happening real often comes down to a moral de- “Agnotology is a rhetorical but offering up a retort along the lines cision, says Love, where a person sides framework used that encom- of, “It’s far enough in advance,” or, “It’s with what is beneficial and profitable to passes an anti-intellectual pro- going to happen in ways we can man- them individually in the short term in- gression of ideas, and it is often age over time.” Lastly, to support his stead of what is better for our species invoked by climate skeptics or views, the industrialist will find nar- and the planet in the long term. climate deniers to mitigate ar- row, contradictory studies that count- “Thinking about it as a moral thing is guments of people like us—spe- er entire bodies of research, just so he important, because if all we want to do cialists or scientists who study can continue down a path of inaction. is save money, then we have to think climate to a great degree,” says “The agnotological argument, which about what’s really important to us, Love. “It’s a doubt that comes often comes down to market justifi- what our priorities are. We need a plan- about through a cultural con- cation, gives [people] a et—that’s the number one prior- sensus. It doesn’t arise from nec- justification for in- ity,” says Love. “There is a essarily one place, but it comes action—or less ac- coming point where that from our collective willingness to tion—through rationality is going to doubt or ignore something.” run out on us. We An example of the rhetoric used are facing a crisis by those who reject mainstream and we need to, in climate science goes something a sense, acknowl- like this: A climate scientist edge that as a presents her position and says, moral issue that “We need to do this now, it’s es- we face.” sential, and we’ll need to do this in the future.” Then an industrialist, perhaps someone from the coal industry, asks, “Why should we trust you over anyone else?” The sense of doubt cast by the industrialist creates equivalen- cy, or a sense of equal weight between both arguments, says Love. The industrialist might then ask the scientist if she can say with absolute certainty that what she predicts is going to happen exact-

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 35 Law and world order A LEGAL EXPERT EXAMINES WHETHER GOVERNMENTS HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

magine this: After generations of your family living in one “Those who are vulnerable in the South Pacific, watching what they call location, an environmental disruption linked to climate change home … about to go under water in a Iforces you to leave. You are given little to no resources or money period of decades, believe [that] de- from the sale of your property, and you are forced to live in a new veloped countries have a moral, political, and legal responsibility to regu- community or country, never to return to your homeland. late climate change, to buy them more time in the South Pacific, to stay where In essence, this is already happening to lina home for generations claimed that they are and not be robbed of their cul- large populations of people around the the global collective emissions creat- ture—they see that failure to act as a world, says Randy Abate, J.D., a political ed by those companies contributed to form of terrorism,” says Abate. science professor and the Rechnitz Fam- a significant portion of the sea level rise Abate says a necessary shift is begin- ily Endowed Chair in Marine and En- that is causing their community to van- ning to occur: Cases are being brought vironmental Law and Policy. While his ish into the ocean. They argued that to the courts on the basis of morality. new book, Climate Change and the Voice- the fossil fuel companies should be re- One such example is Juliana v. Unit- less: Protecting Future Generations, Wild- sponsible for paying the $400 million it ed States, a pending case in feder- life, and Natural Resources, explores how would cost to relocate the community al court in which 21 teenagers from the law can be used to protect the world’s 10 miles inland. across the U.S. are suing the feder- most vulnerable populations, Abate says “Ultimately, they lost this case in al government for the “right to a sta- another type of vulnerable group that court, but it gives you a sense that there ble climate.” Because teenagers, chil- needs protection includes what have are no existing laws to protect them,” dren, and the unborn cannot vote, the come to be called climate refugees. says Abate. “Even when creative efforts plaintiffs argue there is a moral im- Typically, issues affecting refugees dis- through the court systems are used to perative for the government to reg- placed by political or religious persecu- seek recovery, [the residents of] this ulate climate change in order to pro- tion have been regulated under human native village in Alaska [are] still to this tect them. Similar to the argument rights law, while issues related to cli- day on their own to figure out how they used in the Supreme Court decision mate change have been regulated un- will move on when this strip of land on same-sex marriage, the plaintiffs der international environmental law. goes underwater.” are not seeking an amendment to the Yet while the issues facing climate ref- The number of climate refugees is ex- constitution, but rather that the Due ugees align more closely with human pected to grow in the coming decades: Process Clause recognize the right to rights law, Abate says governments are Some estimates put the number at 200 a stable environment, so that vulner- regulating the problem from an inter- million by 2050. When you factor in cli- able populations can enjoy the other national environmental law perspec- mate change’s threat multiplier effect— rights included in the constitution. tive. Because there is no legal precedent that is, its ability to exacerbate exist- “There is clearly nothing in our con- for how to handle populations dis- ing threats in already unstable regions stitution about same-sex marriage, but placed by climate change, climate ref- of the world (the Middle East, for exam- the argument is that marriage is so fun- ugees across the globe are now stuck in ple)—with the lack of a reliable go-to le- damental to the enjoyment of so many a void between international environ- gal framework for dealing with climate other constitutionally protected rights, mental laws and international human refugees, a continued lack of action could it is the foundation from which we as rights laws, with both sides pointing to soon cause “chaos” globally, Abate warns. citizens live our lives,” says Abate. “Es- the other to take responsibility. This inertia by world leaders is already sentially the same argument is being It’s happening right here in the U.S., drawing the ire of vulnerable nations made with climate in that a right to a says Abate, pointing to a lawsuit filed by and populations around the world. stable climate is so fundamental … that the indigenous Alaskan community of Enele Sopoaga, the former prime min- it has to be something that our Due Kivalina against 24 of the largest fossil ister of the South Pacific Island nation Process Clause recognizes. What’s the fuel companies in the world as a prime of Tuvalu, famously said climate change point to having the right to free speech example. The 400 native Alaskans who is a “slow and insidious form of terror- and freedom of religion if we’re all dead have called the isolated village of Kiva- ism against us.” because of an unstable climate?”

36 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 37 Practical implications CLIMATE CHANGE IS SUFFOCATING OUR OCEANS. THAT’S JUST THE START OF OUR PROBLEMS SAY TWO MARINE BIOLOGISTS.

hen trying to understand the big-picture effects of climate change, no subject is more important than the oceans and their role. W Water, as endowed Associate Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf points out, has the ability to absorb heat without significantly changing temperatures. And because the oceans hold 97% of Earth’s water, they are the largest absorber of the Earth’s excess heat.

“Of the excess heat that is accumulated at that because of this, fish species will begin the surface because of the greenhouse effect, decreasing in size over time. “ the oceans have absorbed 93% of it. So we “Gills can only extract so much oxygen from Gills can have to ask the question, what is that doing the water to support a body size,” says Dun- only extract to the ocean?” says Adolf. “When we’re try- ton. “If our oceans get deoxygenated because of ing to understand how climate change is go- warmer temperatures—warmer water has less so much ing to—and does—affect the oceans, we have oxygen than colder water—the fish will meet a oxygen from to do that under the caveat that we know very critical maximum, and they will not be able to the water to little about the oceans to begin with.” grow larger than a certain size because their Adolf, who studies harmful algal blooms, body cannot extract the oxygen for it.” support a says we are already seeing some of the ef- Because of factors such as this, many fish body size. If fects of climate change on the oceans. As wa- and shellfish species are migrating toward the our oceans ter warms, it expands, causing sea levels to poles to survive. Dunton says this is a major rise. That excess heat absorption also affects cause of concern not only for biologists, but get de- ocean circulation. And as the oceans absorb also for the individuals and local economies oxygenated more carbon dioxide to cool the Earth, car- that rely on the fishing industry. As fish spe- because bonic acid increases, causing the pH to acid- cies move north, fisherman will need to trav- ify. In many cases, these changes to ocean el farther distances to attain the same catch. of warmer physics and chemistry translate to negative And as species such as the American lobster temperatures— impacts on ocean life. and Atlantic cod move farther north, there is warmer water “Oceans are losing oxygen,” says Adolf. “In a possibility these fisheries will cross interna- terms of harmful algae blooms, the combi- tional boundaries and be lost entirely for U.S. has less nation of existing nutrient pollution, and cli- fishermen. oxygen than mate change increasing the temperature of Compounding the problem: as fish species colder water— the ocean and extending the growing season, from southern states move north into regions the fish will is creating larger windows of opportunity for that are cool enough for them but have not yet harmful toxic species to grow in the environ- experienced an outmigration of other fish, the meet a critical ment and contaminate shellfish and fish re- range of the species contracts, says Dunton. maximum, and sources.” “What we get is fish coming off New Jersey they will not Assistant Professor of Biology Keith Dun- have to suddenly move up farther; then we ton, who studies fish species native to the get an influx of southern fish—species that be able to Mid-Atlantic, says fish are already being af- we hadn’t seen before,” he says. “This is con- grow larger. fected by temperature changes alone. tracting their overall range … This eventually Because oxygen levels are affected by warm- leads to what we say will enable harvesting to ” ing oceans, fish essentially have to work extinction, because the habitat the fish have harder and increase their rate of breathing gets smaller and smaller and smaller, and in order to extract enough oxygen out of the then eventually they’re stuck in this isolated water to survive, says Dunton. It’s theorized island in the ocean based on temperature.”

38 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 LAY OF THE LAND TWO BIOLOGISTS SHED LIGHT ON THE TERRESTRIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

s the ocean loses its ability to absorb increasing levels of heat, the Earth as a whole begins to warm, which in turn affects terrestrial plant and animal species. A Similar to the migration of fish, Associate Pro- Sean Sterrett, an assistant professor of wildlife ecolo- fessor of Biology Pedram Daneshgar says certain plant gy, focuses much of his research on reptiles and amphib- species have begun migrating. Some are heading to high- ians. He says the mix of warming temperatures, rising er elevations, endangering the indigenous species that sea levels, increased water salinity, and altered hydrope- need a higher altitude to grow. For example, the white- riods is also beginning to affect ectotherms (cold-blood- bark pine, North America’s highest elevation tree spe- ed animals, including amphibians and reptiles) globally. cies, is facing the threat of extinction as other plants are “What I mean by altered hydroperiods [is] altered sea- crowding it out of its mountaintop home in search of sons … the springs are potentially going to get earlier, the cooler temperatures. Other plant species are migrating winters might be nonexistent, the summers may be lon- toward the poles, creeping into environments where their ger,” says Sterrett. “And things related to temperature, growth might previously have been restricted due to the humidity, pressure, wind, precipitation—everything re- cold and frost. Imagine, says Daneshgar: America’s bread- lated to keeping an animal cool or warm, dry or moist— basket could eventually move north into Canada. are really, really important for ectotherms.” Warming temperatures due to an increase in carbon Since many ectotherms are small-bodied, have limited dioxide in the air presents another problem for plants home ranges, and often require specific temperature and/ and animals. As temperatures warm, growing seasons or moisture conditions to thrive, it is difficult for the ani- can potentially extend, giving plants more time to pull mals to easily find a suitable new home. And certain ecto- in carbon dioxide. That would almost seem to be a pos- therms, like diamondback terrapins, a small turtle species itive, since carbon dioxide—along with water and sun- native to the New Jersey coast, also have temperature- light—is one of the components needed for photosyn- dependent sex determination, meaning the eggs they lay thesis. But as Daneshgar explains, if the soil is low in key might be male or female depending on the external tem- nutrients like phosphorous or nitrogen, and plants are peratures around the egg while the embryo is growing. disproportionately gaining carbon, thus causing them to While these coastal species may struggle to reproduce grow quickly, the result is plants that are not as nutri- due to warming weather conditions, increased water sa- tionally dense. linity, and flooding events, other more inland popula- “So, if you’re a happy little herbivore, like a bunny rab- tions like woodland salamanders in the Northeast may bit or a deer, and you’re walking around eating plants, you struggle to adapt due to variations in weather events like might have to work harder to eat more to gain the nutri- seasonal precipitation. tion you would normally get if there was an even distribu- Sterrett says it’s expected that in the winter we will ex- tion of [nutrients] in the leaves,” says Daneshgar. perience more precipitation, but less in the form of snow. The increased carbon dioxide in the air is connected to This is important because snow acts as a blanket, insulat- more storm and flooding events in New Jersey, meaning the soil in winter. Without it, the depth at which the ing more plants are exposed to salt water, which poses forest floor freezes may increase, and it remains to be seen another threat, says Daneshgar. He and his students re- whether animals like salamanders, who move up and down cently studied eight tree species that were affected by an in soil layers, will be able to adapt and survive. increase in flooding events and varying levels of salinity. “Imagine being at home in bed with a big, thick blanket,” What they found was that as trees were exposed to more Sterrett says. “Now imagine just having a thin sheet … salinity, they experienced a decrease in health over time. it’s quite possible that freezing soil depth is going to After one growing season, there was 30% mortality in change forests.” the eight species studied. Sterrett, whose students are studying salamander sur- “The forest composition will change, as the trees that vival rates with an experiment that removes or leaves are more able to survive this will stick around and every- plots of snow across various areas of the forest floor, says thing else will get wiped out,” says Daneshgar. “So the di- he believes there’s more than enough scientific evidence versity in our forest will decrease. The sad thing if you’re to show the wide-ranging effects climate change is hav- an animal lover is that the trees that seem to be going ing across ecosystems globally. first are the ones that produce bird-friendly fruits.” “I do think the science is important and that we contin- In fact, a recent report released by the National Audu- ue to understand systems, [but] I’d argue that we have to bon Society projects that two-thirds of North America’s change people’s values,” says Sterrett. “The value of in- birds are already threatened with extinction due to cli- formation is what we should be thinking about, and get- mate change factors such as this. ting the right types of information to change the values.”

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 39 Coping with change CLIMATE ANXIETY IS REAL. A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR EXPLAINS HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

want you to close your eyes and do a full body scan to see how you’re feeling and to check if you’re holding any stress or anxiety. Now, breathe in, and then try to let a slow breath out, “I because this conversation is stressful.” That’s something that Megan Del- is so stressful to discuss is because the of how sick the planet is, it’s like, ‘Oh, if aney, a licensed professional counsel- early environmental movement some- we just deny that then we don’t have to or who practices ecotherapy, a group of times focused on “scare tactics” in hope worry about it.’ Because when we real- techniques or treatments based on the of grabbing people’s attention. Such ly think about how sick the planet is, it’s idea that contact with and involvement tactics, while important to raise aware- very sobering.” in the natural world can have a psycho- ness, can be anxiety-inducing and up- Another part of the problem is that as a therapeutic effect, often says to clients setting, and the overwhelming message species, humans have never been more and students when talking about cli- can actually cause some people to be- disconnected from the natural environ- mate change. come inactive in seeking solutions, says ment, which in and of itself contributes Delaney, an assistant professor in the Delaney. to depression, anxiety, and feelings of Department of Professional Counsel- “Have you ever known anybody who hopelessness, says Delaney. ing, whose new book, Nature Is Nur- doesn’t go to the doctor because they “I’ve seen many of us talking about how ture: Counseling in the Natural World, don’t want to admit they’re sick?” asks the shift in our culture has gone from explores the power of ecotherapy, says Delaney. “To think when we were once hunter-gatherers and one reason the topic of climate change about the issues living mostly nomadically, where we were in tune with the natural world and understood its cycles, to where we’re at now,” she says. “Today, 93% of our time is spent indoors.” In fact, many people spend an average of just six hours each week outside. One thing Delaney has her clients focus on is giving back to nature—supporting preservation efforts or joining a clean- up effort, for example—in places that are special to them. That helps individuals reconnect with the environment in a positive way, she says. She also empha- sizes how important it is to create what she calls an ecological self-plan: a self- care plan of sorts that involves visiting those sacred places regularly. “Being connected to that space and taking care of it as if you would something special makes us feel good and also gives back to a place,” says Delaney. “It’s self-care, too, right? ... Because the science shows that even five minutes outside in nature makes you feel better, less stressed, [and] more relaxed, and you’re also taking care of those places that nurture us.”

40 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 THE RIPPLE EFFECT HOW SMALL INDIVIDUAL ACTS CAN LEAD TO BIG CHANGE.

hile thinking about climate change can Wbe overwhelming, Nancy Mezey, a professor of sociology and dean of the Honors School, says that “we all have to pick our little piece of the world and try to make it better.” Here, she and several other professors offer ideas that can help anyone spark change in their own corner of the world.

Compost When you throw food away in a gar- bage can, it typically winds up in a land- Be A “Lazy Gardener” gram’s Risk Rating 2.0 initiative, which fill. When food breaks down in that en- Professor of English Heide Estes, will go into effect in October 2021, will vironment, it undergoes an aerobic whose blog covers climate change readjust insurance rates depending on decomposition that produces methane. topics, says there are two import- how close your property is to a poten- If you instead compost your food scraps ant ways that slacking off in the gar- tial flood zone. The closer you are to the (banana peels, coffee grinds, egg shells, den can be beneficial to supporting ocean, for example, the higher your pre- etc.), the breakdown creates carbon di- the natural ecology and local wildlife. mium will be. oxide. While that is still a greenhouse One: throw away the leaf blower. Es- gas, it is 85 times less potent than the tes says allowing leaves to lie where Get Educated methane those same food scraps would they scatter naturally and decom- Estes says that the global climate cri- produce in a landfill, says Mezey. pose in place helps to sequester car- sis is so in flux that there is no one re- bon in the ground. Two: don’t mow, source with the best information. “Peo- Start the Conversation let it grow. “Let your lawn turn into a ple need to … work to stay on top of the Courtney Werner, an assistant professor meadow with native, local plants that latest data and ideas,” she says. And so of English who studies climate rhetoric will support local pollinator popula- while resources like Drawdown.org and through the lens of religion, says it’s im- tions, which in turn will support lo- Yale Climate Connections help, Estes’ portant to engage in conversations with cal and migrating birds, and simulta- number one piece of advice is to have people who reject mainstream climate neously sequester carbon,” says Estes. what technology scholar Clive Thomp- science. She says to look for indicators son calls “ambient awareness”—the of someone’s viewpoint in how they re- Know the Risks idea that we each gain a sort of omni- spond to your statements surrounding a Peter S. Reinhart, director of Mon- present knowledge from our constant subject. For example, if you mention that mouth’s Kislak Real Estate Institute, connections and interactions with you’re using a bamboo straw because you says people are beginning to factor in those in our online social circles. Stay want to stop using so much plastic, and myriad issues associated with climate connected with climate scientists and someone pushes back or laughs, ask them change when deciding where they’re journalists who share their news, views, why. “That opens a conversation, but it’s a going to live or work. That’s a good and research via social channels and gentle question,” she says. “We have to be thing, as the risk landscape is chang- e-newsletters, and your knowledge of willing to take a first step in some ways.” ing. The National Flood Insurance Pro- the topic will subsequently grow.

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 41 Class notes ALUMNI LIFE

“ Once you feel like you’ve made it, i think that’s when THE CHANGEMAKER » Alumni making waves you’re necting the myriad strategies declining. with what she saw on the field. Her biggest ally was then-wide ” receivers coach (and current Changing pass game coordinator/quarter- backs coach) TJ DiMuzio, a mentor who improved Lewin’s foot- the face of ball IQ and instilled confidence. He brought her into receivers meetings. They watched game football film. Eventually, DiMuzio al- SOPHIA LEWIN DOESN’T LOOK LIKE lowed his mentee to coach his YOUR AVERAGE GRIDIRON COACH. players individually in practices. THAT’S BECAUSE SHE’S NOT. Lewin also found two steadying influences—and future friends— BY PETE CROATTO in the classroom at Monmouth. Professors Johanna E. Foster he love of a sports team can be inherited; what and Jennifer McGovern exposed we do with it is up to us. Lewin to new ideas about gen- Growing up, Sophia Lewin absorbed her der, sex, and race, which were T invaluable last season as she got father’s tales of the 1970s Oakland Raiders, tough-as- her players—high school boys nails competitors who were nonconformists in every with sometimes troubled backgrounds—to open up. “I think sense of the word. Surely those stories played a part in it’s important that you’re vulner- molding Lewin, a self-described underdog who, in true able and that you let people in. trailblazer fashion, refuses to adhere to convention. You can’t be afraid to say, ‘Hey, I’m having a really bad day,’ or, The 2019 Monmouth grad just “Once you feel like you’ve made ‘I’m not OK,’ or, ‘This happened finished her first year as receivers it, I think that’s when you’re de- in my house,’” says Lewin. “You coach at Hudson Catholic High clining,” says Lewin. “I just want have to tell me. I’m not going to School in Jersey City, New Jer- to continue to be a student of read your mind and know. I’ve sey. In February, she was hired as the game. I want to continue to got to know you’re not OK. Oth- an offensive quality control coach learn.” erwise, I’m not doing my job and for Princeton University’s foot- Lewin’s curiosity raged even you’re certainly not going to do ball team. Uncomfortable with before she arrived at Mon- yours.” her presence on the sideline? Too mouth in 2015. While attend- This is not the approach of bad. “I believe in me,” says Lewin. ing Wayne Hills High School, Belichick, Parcells, and fabled Like any first job, Hudson she applied to be the team man- old-school coaches. Yes, So- Catholic presented challenges. ager. The head coach, Wayne phia Lewin wants to win. And Yes, there was a 4–7 season, but Demikoff, asked Lewin if she she wants to coach in the NFL. Lewin also had to understand had any questions. Yes, she But there’s no rush. Her goals lie the unseen details of a football said. What’s the difference be- “beyond the title,” she says. “It’s game, such as substitutions and tween a gap scheme and a zone to try to help people be really managing playing time. There scheme in run blocking? “He good human beings.” was also an unanticipated emo- got me right away,” says Lewin. That includes herself. tional component: The players The two hit it off, and Demikoff “When I’m in a position to help came to her with personal prob- let Lewin shadow the coaching young people do the things they OPPOSITE: Lewin, who lems. That’s where her sociology staff for two seasons. hopes to coach in the NFL want to do,” she says, “I’m nev- degree became an asset. Monmouth is where Lewin, a one day, stays in regular er going to tell them that they Overall, it was a promising student assistant on the Hawks contact with Lori Locust, cannot do something because the Tampa Bay Bucca- start for the 22-year-old, who football team for three seasons, neers’ assistant defensive of something irrelevant to the admits she has a long way to go. became fluent in football, con- line coach. job.”

42 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photo JOHN EMERSON Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 43 CLASS NOTES

» Nona (Twerdowsky) Reiss ’69 and David Reiss ’69 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12, 2019. The couple met at Monmouth College in 1965 during their freshman year. The couple says, “Big thank-yous to our wonderful college years for starting us on our road to happiness.” 1970s » Sharlene Tonkin Wach ’70 and Michael Wach ’71 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 27, 2019. Michael was a founding member of the Delta Sigma Theta fraternity and was a member of the Inter-fraternity Council for three years. He also became a member of Tau Epsilon Alumni Phi when the two fraternities merged. Michael, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, is retired roundup after working in the accounting field for many years, and Sharlene LISTED BY GRADUATION YEAR is a retired high school teacher. The couple live in Mesa, Arizona, Award in 2008, is a realtor and and have two children and four 1960s the principal of David J. Ennis & grandchildren. Associates LLC, which specializes » Jim Wiencke ’63 recently visited in conservation, open space, and » Michael Wach ’71. See note for campus with his wife, Patricia, his farmland preservation projects Sharlene Tonkin Wach ’70. daughter, Debbi McCormick, and nationwide. Still connected with two grandchildren, Matthew and Monmouth, he was a founding » Joseph R. Rocco ’72. See note Christopher. member of the Real Estate Insti- for Michael A. Graichen ’69. tute Advisory Council (now the » Bary C. Sherman ’64 and David Kislak Real Estate Institute) and » David Ennis ’74. See note for Ennis ’74, who have been friends currently serves as a member of Bary C. Sherman ’64. for more than seven decades, the Urban Coast Institute Advisory continued their tradition of a Board, both of which are Centers » After 31 years at Nassau Downs yearly fly-fishing adventure. This of Distinction at the University. OTB, Mitchell Sirotta ’74 retired fall they fished the San Juan from his role as lead public River at Navajo Dam, New Mexico. » Barry Stein ’67. See note for address announcer. Sirotta says They reminisced about their long Laurel Coleman Stein ’82, ’05M. that without the former professor friendship, life, and their days and advisor for WMCX Rett Rich, at Monmouth. Both were mem- » The Central Regional Middle former professor and theater bers of Tau Kappa Beta (TKB), School in Bayville, New Jersey, director the late Lauren K. Monmouth’s first fraternity, and named its library the Graichen “Woody” Woods III, the founding are founding members of Tau & Rocco Media Center in honor faculty member and former chair Kappa Epsilon, which evolved from of Michael A. Graichen ’69 and of the Communication Depart- TKB. Sherman was vice president Joseph R. Rocco ’72. Graichen ment the late Kenneth Knapp, of the Student Government Asso- and Rocco spent a combined total as well as former professor John ciation, president of the Inter-fra- of over 70 years teaching at the Salter and his wife, Margaret, he ternity Council, and president of school. A ribbon-cutting ceremony “never would have made it this TKB. Along with his wife, Lynn, he took place on the evening of May far.” Sirotta hosted many seminars has, since 1990, led PEPworldwide, 23, 2019. with the biggest names in horse a global training and consulting racing and worked with the great organization. Ennis, who received » David Reiss ’69. See note for Dave Liftin, Sue Morris Finley, Monmouth’s Distinguished Alumni Nona (Twerdowsky) Reiss ’69. Steve Crist, John Price, Bill Finley,

44 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 Steve Matthews, Jan Rushton, and event that brings together the ’83; Karen Menichini, Class of Noel Michaels. He’s also thankful ideas of space tourism and under- 1983; Laurie Musial ’83; and Fran to his parents, Dave and Mickey water tourism. Sulak ’83, enjoyed a weekend Sirotta, and his lovely wife, Joan of activities, including a visit to Schifrin. “Many thanks to the » Laurel Coleman Stein ’82, campus. many great people at Monmouth,” ’05M, a member of Mu Alpha says Sirotta. Phi, and Barry Stein ’67, a » While training an athlete in Holm- member of Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), del, New Jersey, Michael Green- » In October, Jillian L. Forman ’75 celebrated their 50th wedding blatt ’83 ran into what he refers to started a new private practice as a anniversary at the Monmouth as “a true legend” and good friend, licensed mental health counselor Beach home of fellow Mon- the former longtime track and field in Andover, New York. mouth alumni Sal Giacchi ’68 coach Joe Compagni. Under Com- (DSP) and Barbara Conti Giac- pagni, who recently retired after 24 » Linda G. Turrell ’75, a speaker, chi ’75 on May 25, 2019. Among years, the men’s and women’s cross columnist, and award-winning the 50 guests were a handful country and track and field teams instructor, has completed her of fellow alumni, including To m captured 58 conference champi- new book Writing Good Stories: Baldino ’69, Michael Costa ’69 onships. Mastering Language Arts, an (DSP), Stewart Finkelstein ’67 interactive workbook devel- (DSP), Dennis Gazi ’69 (DSP), » Lisa Rauschert Herrick ’84. oped to help novice writers Eugene Iadanza ’70 (DSP), Neal See note for Chelsea Labbree hone their technique. The first Marine ’70, member of Zeta Ep- Thomson ’12. in a three-volume series, the silon Sigma, and James Serano book can be used both inside ’69 (DSP). » Lori Labbree Thomson ’84. and outside the classroom by See note for Chelsea Labbree students and independent » A group of friends who met at Thomson ’12. learners. Turrell, who has taught Monmouth recently celebrated how to master many types of their 40th reunion as friends. writing over the course of 30 The “Pinewood Girls,” including 1990s years, has published 23 books Chris Cribbin ’83; Allison Gates and 15 professional articles. She ’83; April LoMonte, Class of » Tamera Restuccia ’90, found- has been a state conference 1983; Loretta Cuccia LoMonte er of T. Restuccia Events speaker, columnist, consultant, and instructional review columnist and has served as a judge for instructional media. She is the holder of the Texty award, NOT TO MISS » March 10–14 given nationally for excellence in instructional writing. Meet monmouth in Atlantic 1980s city » Art Troccoli ’80, ’83M was named CFO of the Year Nonprofit (Small) by Lehigh Valley Business. Troccoli, who is the chief financial officer for PBS39, began his career with American Express and has since served in a variety of leadership roles with Marsh, AIG, Corporate Synergies Group, and Roster Financial.

» Arthur Paolella, Ph.D., ’82 attended the Space & Underwater Tourism Universal Summit, or SU- TUS2019, in Marbella, Spain, this MAAC Basketball tournament, past September. More than 250 family fun, happy hours, and more! professionals and students from more than 90 countries attended Check monmouthhawks.com/MUAC the conference, which is the first for more information.

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 45 CLASS NOTES

CELEBRATIONS 1 6

WEDDINGS: 1. Jeffrey Humbert ’05 wed Jackie Beach in New York City on July 26, 2019. 2. Courtnay Lazur ’07 and Jeffrey Kolodziejczyk ’05 were married on Dec. 14, 2018, in Sparta, New Jersey.

3. Chelsea Labbree Thomson 2 7 ’12 wed Daniel Mombiedro in Torremocha, Spain, on June 21, 2019. 4. Steven Mark Leonardi ’13 wed Matthew Joseph Garrido on Dec. 7, 2019, at Battleground Country Club in Manalapan, New Jersey. 5. Kathryn (Blanchard) Palmer ’15, ’18M wed William Palmer ’11 at the Grand Cascades 3 8 Lodge in Hamburg, New Jersey, on Sept. 29, 2019. 6. A group of friends who met their freshman year at Monmouth including, from left, Courtney Reddington ’09, Emesha (Chemez) Jackson ’08, Tabitha Ruiz, Class of 2008, Megan Ehrling, Class of 2008, Dana Parisi, Class of 2008, and 4 9 Nadine Andersen ’09, reunited recently for the wedding of Ehrling and Michael Reiersen. ENGAGEMENTS: 7. Lauren Mrazik ’17 ’18M and Matthew Sheehan ’17, ’18M were engaged on Aug. 25, 2019. 8. Kelly Santoriello ’18 is engaged to Joseph Kellett

’18. ANNIVERSARIES: 9. Nona 5 10 (Twerdowsky) Reiss ’69 and David Reiss ’69 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12, 2019. 10. Laurel Coleman Stein ’82, ’05M and Barry Stein ’67, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary alongside many of their fellow alumni.

46 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 LLC, has planned and executed a Shelburne, Vermont, with his wife, real estate to give back to the variety of large-scale, high-profile Suzanne, and their 16-year-old communities they serve. Within events for many of the nation’s top twins. FTI Consulting, Jackson is on the brands and leading corporations. global steering committee of FTI’s For the past six years, she has » Tony Manners ’96M has been Women’s Initiative Network (FTI served as the executive producer named partner of BDO USA LLP, WIN) and is heavily involved in of The New York Times DealBook the U.S. member firm of BDO the firm’s diversity, inclusion, and Conference, hosted by Andrew International, a global accounting belonging initiative. Ross Sorkin, which features an network, where he will work in incredible lineup of luminaries. the firm’s specialized tax services » Sabrina DiBella ’03 co-found- practice. Manners, who leads the ed Push the Envelope PR, a » Daniel J. Weeks ’95 had his Southeast region’s state and local full-service boutique agency that latest book Gateways to Empire: tax team, has experience in state raises consumer awareness about Quebec and New Amsterdam to tax audit defense, development indie brands through creative 1664 published by Lehigh Universi- of state income and franchise and impactful strategies. DiBella ty Press on July 15, 2019. tax filing positions, changes in combined her previous experienc- corporate structures to achieve es working at E! Entertainment » Justin Burroughs ’96 is now the tax efficiency, transfer pricing, and Television and in luxury travel PR record holder for the most wins apportionment strategies. to start her own agency concen- of all time as coach of the Bucks trating on fashion and beauty County Community College soc- » Angela Germano ’98, ’00M is after seeing a lack of agencies in cer program. Burroughs’ milestone a No. 1 bestselling international New Jersey. Since its inception, of 157 wins was reached after the author. Women Who Illuminate, the New Jersey-based agency has team faced Montgomery Commu- a collection of 30 illuminating grown to collaborate with busi- nity College on Oct. 15, 2019. stories by 30 inspirational women, nesses across all markets and has in which Germano has a chapter, secured national press coverage » Kurt Gruendling ’96M, vice soared to the top of Amazon sales in major outlets like Vogue and president of marketing and busi- in August 2019. She will next be The New York Times, as well as se- ness development for Waitsfield featured in Women Who Rise, the curing celebrity fans like Jennifer and Champlain Valley Telecom next in the Inspired Impact book Lopez. A young parent of four chil- (WCVT), will serve as chair of the series, due out this spring. dren, DiBella is a supermom and a Lake Champlain Chamber board “She-E-O” to a high-energy staff of of directors for the next year. At more than 10 creative members. WCVT, Gruendling is responsi- 2000s ble for all facets of marketing, » Robert Keagle ’04 is a real customer service, public relations, » Caan Giberson ’00. See note for estate appraiser for Clear Capital strategic planning, and new prod- James Giberson ’05. and for Pro Teck Valuation Intelli- uct and business development. gence, whose main clients include He is a past board member of » Laura Jackson ’01, who is a Chase Bank and Goldman Sachs. the Mad River Valley Chamber senior managing director at FTI Keagle is a graduate of Red Bank of Commerce as well as past Consulting Inc., was named to Catholic High School and is a president of the Chamber’s Valley Crain’s second annual list of No- lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Economic Development Commit- table Women in Accounting and His sister Gina Keagle ’05 was the tee. Gruendling currently serves Consulting. Jackson is a member head field hockey and lacrosse on the marketing and public of FTI Consulting’s Real Estate coach at Long Branch High School relations committee of NTCA— Solutions industry practice and from 2006 to 2016. The Rural Broadband Association, has more than 18 years of experi- where he served as committee ence in the real estate investment » Jacqueline (Klein) Leon ’04, chairman, and is past chairman of trust (REIT) and partnership areas ’05M is a local real estate agent the marketing committee for the of real estate taxation, provid- with Coldwell Banker’s Spring Organization for the Promotion ing expertise in due diligence, Lake, New Jersey, office. She and Advancement of Small Tele- structuring, REIT compliance, 754 serves both Monmouth and communications Companies. This adjustments, and partnership tax- Ocean counties. past year he testified on behalf ation. Jackson currently serves as of NTCA—The Rural Broadband vice president on the board of Re- » In May, Kristin Worthley ’04 was Association before the U.S. House building Together NYC, a nonprofit honored as the Monmouth County of Representatives Subcommit- organization that promotes safe School Counselor of the Year by tee on Digital Commerce and and healthy housing throughout the Monmouth County School Consumer Protection as part of New York City. She also founded Counselors Association. Worthley, its “Disrupter Series: Smart Com- the She Builds initiative, which who works at Brookdale Communi- munities.” Gruendling resides in empowers prominent women in ty College in Lincroft, New

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 47 CLASS NOTES

Jersey, was recognized for her work Bognanno ’05 was in attendance. » Alison (Maloney) Martin ’07. See with the schools and students of note for Courtnay Lazur ’07. Monmouth County. On Oct. 1, 2019, » Gina Keagle ’05. See note for she was promoted to associate di- Robert Keagle ’04. » Brian Thomas ’07, ’11M was rector of admissions for Brookdale elected as councilman to the Community College. » Jeffrey Kolodziejczyk ’05. See Borough of Neptune City on note for Courtnay Lazur ’07. Nov. 5, 2019. Thomas was sworn » Joe Bognanno ’05. See note for in on Jan. 1, 2020, to serve Jeffrey Humbert ’05. » Jennifer Pergola ’05 had a term of three years as the two of the one-act plays that newest member of the govern- » Jason DeLeonardo ’05. See note she’s written performed at The ing body. for James Giberson ’05. Grange Playhouse in Howell, New Jersey. The pieces, which » Alivia Barbieri ’08. See note for » James Giberson ’05 wed Maria are included in a collection of Courtnay Lazur ’07. Manfre on Aug. 18, 2019, in Great one-act plays written by various River, New York. Brothers Caan playwrights, was part of the » A group of friends who met at Giberson ’00 and Dave Giberson show called Pretty Parodies. Pinewood Hall during their fresh- were best men, and fellow alum- man year were reunited for the nus Jason DeLeonardo ’05 was » Christine Colaco ’07. See note first time in years to celebrate a member of the wedding party. for Courtnay Lazur ’07. the wedding of Megan Ehrling, The couple met in January 2017 Class of 2008, and Michael and were engaged in January » Courtnay Lazur ’07 and Jeffrey Reiersen, which was held at 2019. Kolodziejczyk ’05 were married The Green Building in Brooklyn, on Dec. 14, 2018, in Sparta, New New York. There to celebrate » Jeffrey Humbert ’05 wed Jersey. Numerous alumni attend- were Courtney Reddington ’09; Jackie Beach in New York City on ed the wedding, including Brian Emesha (Chemez) Jackson ’08; July 26, 2019. They will make their Sforza ’08, Alivia Barbieri ’08, Tabitha Ruiz, Class of 2008; home in San Diego, California. Alison (Maloney) Martin ’07, and Dana Parisi, Class of 2008; and Fellow Monmouth alumnus Joe Christine Colaco ’07. Nadine Andersen ’09.

» Rachael Goldberg ’08M was named the executive director of Liberty Hall Museum Inc., the organization devoted to the preservation and protection of New Jersey’s first governor’s house. Goldberg, who has worked for the organization for more than a decade in various roles, earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Rhode Island and holds a certificate in historic preservation from Drew University.

» Brian Sforza ’08. See note for Courtnay Lazur ’07.

» Andrew Musick ’09 has joined the New Jersey Apartment Association’s (NJAA) government affairs team. As vice president of NOT TO MISS » Swirl and sip as you network and government affairs, Musick will March 21 mingle in historic Wilson Hall. The be responsible for managing leg- Wine Vs. first floor will be transformed into islative and regulatory issues that Stein impact the multifamily apartment two unique spaces for an evening of industry in New Jersey. Musick wine and beer tasting with music and joins NJAA from the New Jersey Business and Industry Associ- delicacies to complement each other. ation, where he served as vice Register at monmouth.edu/wvs. president.

48 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8

CELEBRATIONS

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: 1. A group of friends, including, from left, Fran Sulak ’83, Karen Menichini, Class of 1983, Chris Cribbin ’83, April LoMonte, Class of 1983, Laurie Musial ’83, Allison Gates ’83, and Loretta Cuccia LoMonte ’83, recently reunited in celebration of their 40 years of friendship. 2. Jim Wiencke ’63, middle, and his wife, Patricia, revisited their old stomping grounds at Monmouth along with Chuck Gerdon, director of development for the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences. 3. Bary C. Sherman ’64, left, and David Ennis ’74, who have been friends for more than seven decades, continued their tradition of a yearly fly-fishing adventure at the San Juan River at Navajo Dam, New Mexico. 4. The Central Regional Middle School in Bayville, New Jersey, named its library the Graichen & Rocco Media Center in honor of Michael A. Graichen ’69, left, and Joseph R. Rocco ’72. ADVENTURES & ACCOLADES: 5. Arthur Paolella, Ph.D., ’82 attended the Space & Underwater Tourism Universal Summit, or SUTUS2019, in Marbella, Spain, this past September. 6. Tony Manners ’96M has been named partner of BDO USA LLP, the U.S. member firm of BDO International, a global accounting network. 7. Laura Jackson ’01 was named to Crain’s second annual list of Notable Women in Accounting and Consulting. 8. Andrew Beuschel ’10, ’11M received the prestigious United States Attorney General Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 49 CLASS NOTES

They reacted about as she’d expected. Finding her “They were like, ‘Come home immediately, you’ve gone in- sane,’” she jokes now. element But Bhattacharya, who also goes by the stage name Ishi- HOW ISHITA BHATTACHARYA WENT FROM Bhattacharya says PRE-MED TO PIONEERING CHOREOGRAPHER. ta Mili, says she has no regrets she’d love to work with about the waves of change she Rosalía, an urban flamenco set off with that single deci- singer from Barcelona BY MOLLY PETRILLA now making big waves sion—and the new Urban Indi- in pop culture. “She is an dance style and professional the perfect example of n the spring of 2017, Ishita Bhattacharya ’16 called someone who was shaped troupe she’s created since. by a traditional cultural her parents from India and announced that, after Though she’s been dancing art form and created since she was three years old, something completely new years of working toward medical school and with an from it using urban and I Bhattacharya says she spent modern influences,” says acceptance already in hand, she had decided not to go. most of that time struggling to Bhattacharya.

50 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 photos MATT FURMAN find a style that felt like a true fit. Day Job In Indian classical dance, which Bhattacharya didn’t she studied for most of her life, completely put she had trouble connecting to science on the the ancient stories each dance back burner when explored, and coveted the fast, she opted to forgo powerful parts that consistent- medical school and ly went to male dancers. found her own dance When Bhattacharya discov- company. After grad- ered urban hip-hop at age 16, uating summa cum she thought she’d found her an- laude with a degree swer. The new style felt freeing. in chemistry from She came to Monmouth through Monmouth Universi- the Monmouth Medical Schol- ty, she enrolled in a ars Program to pursue a chemis- Master of Business try degree, and joined a hip-hop and Science program dance company in nearby Ma- at Rutgers, with a tawan, New Jersey. But soon she concentration in began noticing the limits of that drug discovery and style, too. development. She “I still felt like I was confined graduated last se- by a style that didn’t necessari- mester and currently ly reflect my whole experience,” works in sales and she says. “I had to put my ‘In- business develop- dianness’ away in a box [while ment for a biotech dancing hip-hop] and con- company. sciously make sure not to bring that out.” After an ACL tear took Bhat- tacharya off her feet in 2015, she spent time considering her future in dance. She decided that “if I go back [to dancing] at all, I want to make something that speaks to me and that says what I want to say, how I want to say it.” Fresh out of her knee brace, she choreographed a new piece for a dance showcase. People liked it, so she made more. At first she didn’t even have a term for what she was doing, but eventually it came to her: Urban Indian. Drawing from both Indian classical and modern hip-hop styles, Bhattacharya says that her cho- reography is primarily rooted in ers. The group has performed at Eventually Bhattacharya hopes re-examining old Hindu myths, the Seattle International Dance to create a longer show that could our relationship with nature, Festival, Lincoln Center Out of play in large venues and tour the and the structure of society. Her Doors, and other venues around world. And, yes, she knows that goal is to offer Indian audienc- the U.S. She says audiences have won’t be easy. “Currently there es a fresh take on familiar moves been as varied as the styles she are no opportunities that exist and stories while also attracting is melding. for this style, so I have to create audiences who’ve never even “We’re always trying to make them,” she says. “It’s less about seen Indian dance before. sure we’re reaching different opening doors versus building In July 2017, Bhattacharya types of people and that our those doors to open. founded her own Urban Indi- work is truly global, in that it “In the past year especially, I really an dance troupe—IMGE (Ishi- can speak to anybody,” she says. have found my purpose,” she adds. ta Mili Global Exposé)—which “We’re trying to break down “And my parents aren’t mad at me includes 15 professional danc- barriers.” anymore, so that’s good news.”

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 51 CLASS NOTES

values of American democra- program at Regent’s College (now cy. Prior to her appointment, Regent’s University) in London 2010s Antoine spent over two years during her junior year in fall 2010. » Andrew Beuschel ’10, ’11M serving as the organization’s Fellow Monmouth alumni who received the prestigious United state outreach and engagement traveled to Spain for the wed- States Attorney General Award manager, leading and supporting ding included the mother of the for Distinguished Service in successful organizing campaigns bride, Lori Labbree Thomson ’84, Policing. Beuschel was one of 23 to pass public financing of brother of the bride, Trey Thomp- officers from around the country elections in numerous Maryland son ’19, Lisa Rauschert Herrick to be selected for the award localities, a statewide ballot ’84, Victoria Vasso ’12, Lacy Holo- that recognized his work in the initiative on same-day voter vacko ’12, Demanuel Edmondson field of criminal investigations. registration, grassroots activities ’12, and Michael Cunningham ’12. During 2018, Beuschel, who was and events in support of redis- The couple spent their honey- working as a narcotics detective tricting reform, and several state moon in Africa as members of a in the Evesham Township Police legislative campaigns. Antoine, tour group with World Travelers Department in Marlton, New Jer- who is the first black and Hai- Association, an organization sey, arrested numerous suspects tian-American woman to serve founded by Jorge Branco ’12, for heroin/fentanyl distribution in the role, has extensive history where they went on safari and and successfully investigated working on political campaigns participated in community service two drug-induced deaths from and volunteering in local commu- efforts with Aloito Africa and heroin/fentanyl—one of which nity organizations. Zanzibar Learning 4 Life Founda- involved a 15-year-old victim. tion. The bride recently became a Beuschel, who was a member » William Palmer ’11. See note for board-certified behavior analyst, of Sigma Pi at Monmouth, is an Kathryn (Blanchard) Palmer ’15, and the groom recently complet- officer with the Riverton Police ’18M. ed his MBA at the University of Department, located in Riverton, California, Berkeley. New Jersey, but was assigned » Lauren Brajer ’12 is now the to the detective bureau investi- social media and content strate- » Victoria Vasso ’12. See note for gating narcotics-related crimes gist at Rizco, a creative campaign Chelsea Labbree Thomson ’12. and undercover operations with agency based at the Jersey the Evesham Township Police Shore. From research and being » Nicole Vitale ’12 was recently Department. up to date on trends to strategic hired as head of production at content creation, plan execu- 300 Entertainment in New York » Christian Ries ’10 founded tion, and analytics, Brajer will City. Previously, she served software company Bid Ops, help drive further engagement as senior manager of digital at which provides a web-based for Rizco’s clients’ social media Ultra Records, also headquar- business-to-business software- accounts. tered in New York City. Vitale, a as-a-service analytics solution former WMCX general man- for procurement and cross-func- » Jorge Branco ’12. See note for ager, directs and manages the tional teams to optimize strate- Chelsea Labbree Thomson ’12. digital department and asset gic sourcing workflow. Bid Ops delivery of all new records and helps companies, governments, » Michael Cunningham ’12. See singles in coordination with and other entities to buy the note for Chelsea Labbree Thom- Warner Music/Atlantic Records. goods and services they need son ’12. 300 Entertainment is one of faster, with better management the leading independent urban of risk and with cost savings via » Michael DonDiego ’12. See note labels in the world, started by partnerships marked by longev- for Morgan (Celiano) DonDiego former Def Jam President Kevin ity and equity. Ries, who was ’15. Liles and current head of music president of Phi Alpha Delta, at YouTube, Lyor Cohen. Its a co-captain of the Monmouth » Demanuel Edmondson ’12. See current roster includes, among University sailing team during his note for Chelsea Labbree Thom- others, Fetty Wap, Young Thug, senior year, and a member of the son ’12. Megan Thee Stallion, and Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society, is Gunna. currently chief operating officer » Lacy Holovacko ’12. See note for for Bid Ops. Chelsea Labbree Thomson ’12. » Brittany Hardaker ’13 was named one of Hotel Management » Joanne Antoine ’11M was » Chelsea Labbree Thomson ’12 magazine’s 30 Under 30 in Hos- named executive director of wed Daniel Mombiedro in Torre- pitality for 2019. Hardaker, who Common Cause Maryland, a non- mocha, Spain, on June 21, 2019. recently celebrated her four-year partisan grassroots organization The couple met when Thomson anniversary with Wyndham Hotels dedicated to upholding the core participated in the study abroad and Resorts, the largest hotel

52 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 ALUMNI WEEKEND June 12–15 All alumni are invited back.

SCHEDULED EVENTS INCLUDE Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony All Alumni Marquee Rooftop Celebration 50th Reunion Reception 25th Reunion Toast Golf Outing Family Day

Registration and more information online. monmouth.edu/alumniweekend

Reconnect. Relive. Reminisce. ALUMNISpring 2020 MONMOUTH 53 CLASS NOTES franchising company in the world, » Alexa Mazurkiewicz Haring Triforce Commercial Real was nominated for always being ’14 recently managed a pro- Estate LLC and a property and responsive and for living and duction team for two sold-out casualty insurance broker at exuding the company culture day Rolling Stones shows at MetLife Safe Harbour Group Ltd., was in and day out. Stadium. This August, Har- named co-chair of the Rockland ing was asked to manage a staff Business Association’s newly » Steven Mark Leonardi ’13 wed of 10 production runners at the established Rockland Emerging Matthew Joseph Garrido on East Rutherford, New Jersey, Business Owners & Profession- Dec. 7 at Battleground Country stadium for a Rolling Stones als committee. The committee is Club in Manalapan, New Jersey. tour stop that amassed 170,000 geared toward supporting young Several alumni attended, includ- fans over two nights. Previously, business professionals aged 39 ing Vincent Buddle ’13, Michelle Haring worked as a production and younger. Coby ’13, Krista DiNocera ’13, manager at Madison Marquette, Matthew Ventimiglia ’13, and an investment company that » Morgan (Celiano) DonDiego Ricardo Nunes ’13, who were manages six properties in Asbury ’15 wed Michael DonDiego ’12 all members of the wedding Park, New Jersey, which required at Crystal Springs Resort in party. Leonardi is a manager for her to run production adminis- Hamburg, New Jersey, on Oct. associate communications at tration for venues including The 5, 2019. The couple met in 2011 the PVH Corporation, the New Paramount, Stone Pony, Wonder at Monmouth University, where York-based parent company of Bar, and House of Independents. Michael was a member of Tau Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Haring is also a former assistant Kappa Epsilon and Morgan was and other apparel companies. production manager at the Stone a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Garrido, who graduated from Pony, a role she earned after The couple, who live in Char- Kutztown University in Kutz- completing an internship she lotte, North Carolina, had about town, Pennsylvania, is an agency obtained while at Monmouth. 45 fellow Monmouth alumni in account manager in New York at attendance, with the majority Indeed.com. » Jason Horowitz ’14, ’15M, being from Greek life. who is a broker of record for » Kathryn (Blanchard) Palmer ’15, ’18M wed William Palmer ’11 at the Grand Cascades Lodge in Hamburg, New Jersey, on Sept. 29, 2019.

» Danny Robinson ’15 played as the keyboardist for The Pember- tones in the Jams on the Sand summer series held in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in August. He also recently released his first single, “Rock It,” available on all major music platforms.

» Lauren Mrazik ’17 ’18M and Matthew Sheehan ’17, ’18M were engaged on Aug. 25, 2019. The couple, who got engaged at Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank, New Jersey, are planning an April 2021 wedding ceremo- HAVE Help determine the newest ny at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, members of the Alumni YOUR SAY New Jersey, with a reception to Association Board of Directors. follow at Nanina’s in the Park in Look for an email this spring to Belleville, New Jersey. The bride- to-be is a physical education cast your vote. Don’t receive emails teacher at David C. Abbott Early from us? Visit monmouth.edu/ Learning Center in Morganville, stayconnected to ensure your voice New Jersey, and the groom-to-be is a tax consultant for Deloitte in is heard. New York City.

54 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 » Morissa Schwartz ’17M earned IN Memoriam her doctorate in literature from » ALUMNI Drew University after success- SEND Henry Blumenthal ’50 (May 6, 2016) fully defending her dissertation on nihilistic libertarianism in pop US John B. “Jack” Julian ’59 (Oct. 29, 2019) culture. F. George Campbell ’60 (July 22, 2016) YOUR Bernice S. Eisenberg ’61 (Nov. 23, 2018) » Matthew Sheehan ’17 ’18M. See Judith K. Getchell ’61 (Oct. 2, 2019) note for Lauren Mrazik ’17, ’18M. Rudolph F. Schafert ’61 (Aug. 30, 2014) NEWS Preston F. Gillam ’63 (July 25, 2019) » Joseph Kellett ’18. See note for » Online: Robert Talbot ’63 (Jan. 7, 2016) Kelly Santoriello ’18. monmouth.edu/ Charles P. Kaempffer ’64 (Oct. 14, 2019) ClassNotes George Vasbinder ’64 (June 9, 2019) » Kelly Santoriello ’18 and William K. Comella ’65 (Sept. 20, 2019) Joseph Kellett ’18 first met » By email: in middle school. They were classnotes@mon- Marilyn E. McGowan ’65 (Oct. 13, 2018) “just friends” and didn’t start mouth.edu Stephen Weissman ’66 (April 19, 2019) dating until their senior year of Vincent J. Wemlinger ’66 (Oct. 11, 2019) high school. A few days before » By mail: Noele H. Lowe ’67 (March 3, 2019) decision day, they both decided Class Notes, Mary D. Lynch ’67 (Sept. 18, 2019) to attend Monmouth. The couple Monmouth magazine, James C. Brooks ’68A (Oct. 5, 2019) says Monmouth is where many of 400 Cedar Ave., Helen E. Delia ’68 (Sept. 16, 2019) their best memories were made West Long Branch, Frank J. Mazza ’68 (Nov. 12, 2019) and where they accomplished a NJ 07764-1898. lot, both together and individual- Milton Turner ’68 (Aug. 12, 2019) ly. Almost a year after graduating, Lucious Zachary ’68 (Sept. 28, 2019) they got engaged at the Morris Camcy B. Courten ’69 (Nov. 8, 2017) Arboretum located outside of James Delaney ’70M (Nov. 13, 2019) Philadelphia. They are planning Virginia K. D’Espies ’70 (Feb. 2, 2016) to get married at Clark’s Landing Monmouth University encourages alumni to William H. Hawkins ’70 (April 14, 2012) in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, in share news regarding Joan E. Norman ’70 (Oct. 21, 2019) July 2020. career changes, awards and honors, marriages, Louis J. Martinelli ’71 (Nov. 2, 2019) anniversaries, births, John C. Avery ’72 (Aug. 17, 2019) » Former Monmouth Univer- and other life events for sity men’s lacrosse midfielder inclusion in Class Notes. Barbara Hartz Kurkjian Bassett ’72 (Oct. 25, 2017) All submissions are subject Nancy L. Caron ’73A (July 30, 2019) Gordon Phillips ’19 was chosen to editing for clarity and by the Vancouver Warriors in the length. We welcome sub- Edward J. Ruloff ’74 (Sept. 26, 2019) sixth round of the 2019 National missions of high-resolution Larita R. DiPaola ’75, ’97M (Nov. 7, 2019) digital images for possible Lacrosse League Draft. Phil- inclusion with your class John S. Slater ’76 (Sept. 12, 2019) lips, who was the 80th overall note; however, we reserve Luberta H. Pruitt ’79M (Nov. 7, 2019) selection, is the first Monmouth the right not to print sub- mitted photos due to space Robin D. Rose ’79 (July 15, 2019) player to be picked in the limitations or issues with William E. Ivory ’80 (Aug. 25, 2019) National Lacrosse League Draft. image resolution. Amy J. Lee ’87 (Sept. 20, 2019) The National Lacrosse League In addition to the news items sent by alumni, the Grace E. Moran ’90 (Jan. 4, 2018) is a men’s professional box University receives press lacrosse league with 13 teams releases from businesses Leslie Pineiro ’00 (Sept. 16, 2019) and organizations an- William J. Hamilton Jr. ’09M (Oct. 10, 2019) across North America, including nouncing alumni achieve- five in Canada. A team captain ments, and subscribes to as a senior, Phillips scored seven an online news clipping service that provides news » FACULTY + STAFF goals and had 20 assists for 27 items about alumni. These Robert M. Kelly (former adjunct professor) Dec. 8, 2019 career points, including three items are edited and placed in the appropriate Michele B. Lassen ’85 ’87M (former associate director of man-up goals. He graduated class section. Monmouth alumni affairs) Sept. 11, 2019 ranked seventh in Monmouth magazine staff members Edward “Eddie” Ortiz (facilities management staff) Oct. 11, 2019 history with 20 career assists and try to verify the accuracy of this information; Robert Rechnitz (professor emeritus of English and finished third in Monmouth his- however, the University tory in ground balls and caused cannot be responsible for Amercan literature) Oct. 12, 2019 turnovers with 103 and 42, re- incorrect information con- Donna Brann Sterling (former university advancement tained herein. If you would spectively. He was named to the like us to correct any inac- staff) Feb. 9, 2019 2016 MAAC All-Rookie Team and curacies that have been printed, please contact the was a Second Team All-MAAC magazine at magazine@ » FRIENDS selection as a senior. monmouth.edu. Carol L. Greene (friend) June 26, 2019

Spring 2020 MONMOUTH 55 CLASS NOTES

REMEMBRANCE “ LaRose ’69, a family friend. He was a “Most people didn’t know that because they didn’t want to put Robert visionary. their names on anything. Bob Just a was always so humble about the wildly impact they had in the region. It was never about self-aggran- Rechnitz brilliant dizement for him.” 1930–2019, PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF ENGLISH man, who LaRose says she first met Dr. onmouth University was saddened by the was full Rechnitz during her undergraduate days at Monmouth, loss of dedicated colleague and University of wit, and and later worked with him on Mbenefactor Robert M. Rechnitz, Ph.D., who died who never a campaign to raise money to peacefully on Oct. 12, 2019, at the age of 89. lost his build the current home of Two River Theater, the company he A professor of English and opportunities for students, aca- love for founded while still teaching at American literature, Dr. Rech- demic programming, and Mon- Monmouth. Monmouth. “He was a vision- nitz taught at Monmouth for mouth’s Center for the Arts and It really ary,” says LaRose. “Just a wild- more than 30 years and was Urban Coast Institute. The cre- was a part ly brilliant man, who was full named Professor Emeritus in ation of Rechnitz Hall, Mon- of wit, and who never lost his 1996. In 2001, he was recog- mouth’s premier instructional of his love for Monmouth. It real- nized with the Maurice Pollak space and gallery for art and de- heart. ly was a part of his heart,” said Award for Distinguished Com- sign; the Urban Coast Institute’s LaRose. munity Service at the Universi- Marine Science and Policy Ini- ” The Monmouth University ty’s Founders’ Day celebration tiative; and the Endowed Chair community extends its heart- and convocation. in Marine and Environmental felt condolences to the entire Along with his wife, Mon- Law and Policy are all a direct Rechnitz family. Dr. Rechnitz’s mouth alumna Joan Rechnitz result of the Rechnitzes’ philan- contributions to education, the ’84, ’12HN, Dr. Rechnitz estab- thropic commitment. arts, the environment, health lished a legacy of philanthro- “They gave generously to wor- care, and more have enhanced py that extends throughout thy nonprofits all along the Jer- the lives of many and will un- the Monmouth County region. sey Shore: hospitals, schools, doubtedly serve generations of Their generosity has support- social service agencies, arts students and community mem- ed scholarship and internship programs,” says Carol Cohen bers for years to come.

56 MONMOUTH Spring 2020 Leave Your Legacy

Alumna’s blended gift allows her to see the impact on Contact Emily Miller- Monmouth students for generations to come. Gonzalez, director of planned giving, at ore than five decades after she blazed a trail through Monmouth and enjoyed 732-263-5393 or a distinguished career in journalism with the Associated Press, Linda Deutsch ’65 [email protected] continues to give back to the University that gave her so much. to help customize M your giving to create a

Linda first created an annual scholarship in journalism to see the impact of her combination that best philanthropy during her lifetime. Wanting to do more, she then decided to make a fits your needs and significant planned gift by endowing the scholarship through her trust. philanthropic goals.

In celebration of her thoughtful planning, generosity, and professional accomplishments, she will be forever remembered by the newly named Linda Deutsch ’65 Student Journalism Center, home to the student-run newspaper, The Outlook.

Join Linda and make your own impact with a blended gift to support today’s students, and future generations of Hawks, by establishing an annual scholarship now, and endowing it permanently through your will or trust. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

400 Cedar Ave. West Long Branch, NJ 07764 monmouth.edu

1,000 WORDS » A story in a picture COLLEGE HANGOUTS For generations of students, the West End and its environs have served as an extension of campus, offering places to grab a bite, catch a show, or just relax with friends. Where was your favorite hangout in college? Send your stories and photos to magazine@monmouth. edu or to the address above. photo NAME NAME