Passaic Today

From heartwarming moments to significant achievements, 2024 was a memorable year at Montclair State University. The Povolo quintuplets, Victoria, Ludovico, Ashley, Michael, and Marcus, made history in New Jersey by graduating with degrees in five different majors. Their story received national attention on platforms such as The Today Show and CBS Evening News.

Montclair's golden retriever Charley, the "Director of Pawsitivity" for the women's basketball team, gained nationwide recognition with appearances in People magazine and on the Sherri show. Additionally, Montclair alum Josh Dela Cruz returned for Homecoming to share insights from his Broadway career.

Montclair students actively engaged with current events. Journalism students reported on key issues ahead of the Presidential election by traveling to a battleground state to cover immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Their project "Arizona Stories: Border, Water and Politics" earned a nomination for excellence at the College Television Awards.

The university emphasized civic engagement through various initiatives. These included expanding Native American and Indigenous Studies and providing internships related to climate change. Montclair was recognized with the 2024 Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose.

Montclair's pre-college programs helped high schoolers prepare for academic success. About 400 students participated in early-college experiences last summer through programs like the Summer Bridge Scholars Program and Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF).

Student wellness remained a priority with new initiatives such as Nap Pods and Zen Dens. A $3 million grant was secured to integrate counseling services into internships.

Research at Montclair covered diverse fields including robotics and environmental studies. The university celebrated growth with achievements like being named a Fulbright HSI Leader and welcoming its most diverse incoming class.

Social media engagement saw success as Montclair's Digital Communications team produced content that resonated widely. The university's Instagram account ranked top among New Jersey colleges for followers and engagement.

Collaboration with Paterson led to projects like the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium and the One Square Mile housing initiative.

Graduations in 2024 were marked by stories of resilience and achievement from first-generation students and others overcoming personal challenges.