Passaic Today

Montclair State University’s dedication to public service and community partnerships was highlighted on the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Student volunteers participated in various activities, including building homes, feeding the hungry, and organizing donations at nonprofit organizations across New Jersey.

The university's Bonner Leaders, NextGen Service Corps, AmeriCorps members, and Greek life organizations demonstrated their commitment to racial justice, equity, health improvement, and student achievement through their collaborative efforts with local communities.

Recently, Montclair received the prestigious Carnegie Leadership Designation for Public Service Efforts. This recognition is awarded to institutions committed to advancing leadership in public goods such as justice, equity, diversity, and liberty. Montclair is among 25 U.S. colleges and universities to receive this designation and is the only public institution in New Jersey to do so.

Montclair's initiatives include training students for public service careers through programs like the NextGen Service Corps and the Bonner Leader Program. Additionally, the university is involved in a project called “One Square Mile” in Paterson aimed at transforming one of New Jersey’s poorest cities.

In Paterson’s public schools, Montclair faculty support teachers in multicultural classrooms while Upward Bound prepares high schoolers for college. Last year, all Upward Bound participants who graduated from high school were accepted into post-secondary degree programs. The Communities Organizing for Prevention and Empowerment (C.O.P.E.) Initiative sees Montclair students assisting in classes that aim to prevent substance misuse and HIV spread among African American and Latino youths.

Montclair also contributes to harm reduction efforts and criminal justice reforms on Paterson’s streets. The partnership includes reviving Hinchliffe Stadium with a $5 million gift from alumnus Chuck Muth ’77 and his wife Laura. This allows for the creation of a museum that tells the story of the Negro League baseball integration.

On September 7th, students, faculty, and staff participated in activities such as cleaning parks, organizing food pantry donations, packing book bags, and working with adults with cerebral palsy. A campus-wide donation drive contributed school supplies for Eastside High School in Paterson. This year saw a record participation of 360 volunteers from Montclair and Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.

The Center for Community Engagement sponsors these events to honor those who died or responded during the September 11 attacks while fostering unity reminiscent of that time. Similar events are held annually to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

University President Jonathan Koppell emphasized public service as a cornerstone of his administration by joining students in these efforts. He stated: “We are a community that is capable of so much when we work together.”