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KEANmag
Message From The
Alumni President
It seems like only yesterday that I was on a plane returning from my third Kean University
commencement ceremony in about two weeks. First was the Nathan Weiss Graduate College
ceremony held at the NJPAC in Newark, followed two days later by the Undergraduate
Commencement at the Prudential Center, also in Newark. The third ceremony was a little
further away – in Wenzhou, China. I was so proud to be a part of the first Commencement for
our Chinese campus. It was a spectacular event as almost 200 students received their diplomas
at the Opera House in Wenzhou. The most moving part of the ceremony for me was hearing
our alma mater being sung in both English and Chinese. During the graduation exercise, I
unveiled a plaque designating the creation of a Wenzhou-Kean University Alumni Association
in China. Imagine, the Class of 2016, the first Kean alumni halfway around the world!.
Speaking of the first alumni association, do you know when our first Alumni Association was
founded? I didn’t knoweither, sowe checked the archives, and learned that the first meeting of the
Kean Alumni Association was in 1914. At that first meeting, officers were elected and the decision
was made to charge 25 cents as annual dues. Times have certainly changed!
This past June, the new officers of today’s Kean Alumni Association were sworn into office. These
include: Carol Blumenfeld ‘03 as Vice President, Gary Luciano ’72 and Donna Madrigal ’88 & ’91
MPA as Secretaries, and David Kirpan ’01 as Treasurer. I am both proud and humbled to say that I
was re-elected to serve as President for the next four years. I must extend a very special thank you
to Frank Budney ’77 and Jane Bodzioch ’69 & ’83 MA who have stepped down from their elected
positions. They have both dedicated themselves to the Alumni Association and worked tirelessly
for many years, and while they are no longer officers, I know that they will continue to serve the
Board well in the years ahead.
Last month I read about the oldest living person in the United States, Adele Henderson Dunlap,
who is 113 years old. What makes this extra special is that Adele is an alumna of the class of 1923 of
The Newark Normal School, the predecessor to Kean University. I was able to send her a personal
letter from the Association and give to her one of our gold Kean University Alumni Association
medallions which are presented to alumni who have achieved something special. I am sure
everyone can agree that Mrs. Dunlap certainly falls into that category.
I encourage all Kean alumni to return to campus to see how much the University has grown and
changed. See a sporting event or take in the arts at one of the many theaters and galleries. I know
you will have a good time and be impressed by what you see happening on our campus!
As the fall seasonmoves into full swing, I hope you continue to followour website, Facebook page,
and e-newsletters to keep up with all of the wonderful things happening on campus. As always,
I thank you for your continuing support and I look forward to serving you, my fellow alumni, for
the next four years.
Ed Esposito ’69 ’72 MA
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