KEANmag
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After retiring as a teacher from the Fayetteville-Manlius
(N.Y.) Central School District, Diane found herself in
a new role of teaching the teachers. She began advising
teachers on how to use the technology of cable television
in the classroom. She served as the Cable in the Classroom
Coordinator for NewChannels Corp. and Time Warner
Cable in more than 100 schools in upstate New York.
After 12 years with Cable in the Classroom, Diane retired
with her husband Bob in Syracuse, NY. And while she
had not returned to Kean for decades, she maintained a
connection to her alma mater through with regular gifts to
the Kean University Foundation.
Then, President Farahi paid her and Bob a visit at their
Syracuse home.
“I could immediately sense that this couple was sincerely grateful for
all their personal success, and genuinely interested in findings ways to
give back that really made a difference,” President Farahi said. “I told
her and Bob they had to come see the place, they had to look at the
faces of the students we are serving and at the world-class facilities these
students now had access to. I knew it would have a tremendous impact.”
Diane had not been to the Kean campus for more than 50 years and
did not know what to expect. What she found made a big impression.
“Dr. Farahi took us around campus and I was utterly amazed,” she
said. “The grounds and the campus are gorgeous. When I attended, the
campus was all mud. We walked over wood planks to get to class.”
Diane recalled the challenges she faced as a commuter students,
especially the lack of a place to feel at home while waiting for your next
class to begin. She explained that in the student center there was only
one small room with chairs where people could sit and play cards.
“We talked about what Bob and I could do to help. I realized I
wanted to do something with one of the buildings that was here when I
was. The student center was a perfect fit,” she said.
Kean University officially renamed its University Center the
Miron Student Center in a joyful ceremony attended by faculty,
administrators, students, and family and friends of Diane and Bob.
During her remarks at the ceremony, Diane spoke of her family’s
economically challenged circumstances and of her gratitude to
Kean University—which was called Newark State College when she
attended—for changing the trajectory of her life.
“If not for Newark State College, life would have been very different
for me,” she said. “It gave me the chance to forge ahead and to become
a teacher, which was all I ever wanted to be. My strong love of teaching
and of children has continued to this day. It’s my great pleasure and a
great honor to be able to give something back to Kean University after
all that Kean has done for me.”
Diane’s gift certainly makes the lives of the Kean students that much
better. The thousands who frequent the facility each day now have
exciting (and late night) dining options, comfortable furniture in the
atrium, and a new air conditioning system.
Kean student Alexandra Ostralaza says the entire feel of the Miron
Student Center has changed, noting it’s more welcoming and there is
plenty more to do.
“I like that I can come back here and see what’s been going on. I can
tell the difference from back when it was just the UC to now being the
Miron Student Center. It’s so much better,” she said.
Today, Diane and Bob Miron are long-time residents of Syracuse,
New York. Married for more than 50 years, they have three children
and nine grandchildren.
(above) The “College Center” circa 1960. (below) The renovated game room and lounge
is still a place for students to gather to relax and study, and thanks to benefactors Diane
and Bob Miron, now has expanded features. (bottom) A view of the Alumni Atrium in the
Miron Student Center from above.
