Founded as the private collection of financier J.P. Morgan and opened to the public in 1906, the Morgan is home to one of the world’s great collections of rare books and manuscripts and famously called the “Bookman’s Paradise.” Students from the cross-listed course American Archives (ENG 501 / HIST 463), taught by Professor , recently visited its collections as part of the semester’s immersive exploration of how archives are made and what they conceal. Each student also researched a primary document from a local New Jersey collection, practicing hands-on how to work and write with archival materials.

At the Morgan, they stood before one of its Gutenberg Bibles, confronting the material origins of the print culture they had been studying all semester, and learned that the trailblazing Belle da Costa Greene chose to pass as white for her personal safety and professional survival during a deeply segregated time. The Bookman’s Paradise, it turns out, had its own hidden chapter. Both encounters spoke directly to the course’s central question: how archives preserve and forget — and whose stories are remembered, and who is cast away.

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants across MCEAS Consortium institutions, Walker joined the workshop led by Heather Wolfe, Curator of Manuscripts at the Folger Shakespeare Library and leading English paleographer. Through virtual sessions and an in-person day in Philadelphia, Walker developed literacy in reading historic handwriting styles, examined manuscript collections, and practiced writing with ink and quills.

It’s harder than it sounds. To the untrained eye, historic English handwriting, particularly “secretary hand,” the dominant script from the late 15th through the mid-17th century, can look like little more than chicken scratch. But even once you learn to recognize the letterforms, the challenge isn’t over: the alphabet was slightly different, spelling was inconsistent, and words were abbreviated in ways that can turn even a short sentence into a puzzle.

Walker’s completion of the workshop means she can now read what others can’t and bring those voices from the past back to let them speak to us.

Montclair students interested in future MCEAS opportunities are encouraged to contact Montclair State MCEAS mentor Steffi Dippold at dippolds@montclair.edu

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants across MCEAS Consortium institutions, McDevitt’s project examines a handwritten Shaker songbook composed by Marcia E. Hastings, a spiritual leader and Eldress of the Canterbury, New Hampshire community, between 1839 and 1842, now housed at the Shaker Museum in Chatham, New York. Placing Hastings’s manuscript alongside other hymnal traditions, McDevitt explores competing ideas of authorship and authenticity in Shaker sacred song, and what they reveal about the community’s radical vision of a dual-gendered God.

Montclair students interested in future MCEAS opportunities are encouraged to contact Steffi Dippold at dippolds@montclair.edu.

A first-generation college student from Barnegat, Holler graduates from Montclair with a degree in Political Science and a minor in English. Throughout her four years, she balanced the demands of academics with a rigorous schedule as a student-athlete, competing on both the university Dance Team and while also participating in community-focused work and preparing for her future in law.

“My favorite part of being at ����vlog, aside from the connections I made and what I learned, was being on the Track and Field team,” Holler says. “I learned to manage being a student-athlete during stressful times while also creating amazing friendships and bonds.”

Excelling in Competition and in the Classroom

Athletics became one of the defining parts of Holler’s college experience. During her freshman and sophomore years, she competed on the Dance Team, helping the team earn both state and national titles, while also competing in track and field.

Although she had participated in track for more than a decade, Holler challenged herself to try a new event during her junior year: the heptathlon, one of the sport’s most demanding multi-event competitions. In her first season competing, she earned All-Conference honors, placed third in the conference championship, recorded the second-highest score in school history and qualified for regional competition.

This past indoor season, Holler continued to make her mark, ranking among the top performers in program history in both the 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon.

Holler says one of her proudest accomplishments has been recognizing her own growth throughout college and learning to appreciate the work she has put into her goals.

“It’s so easy to criticize yourself and demand more,” she says. “But if you gave it everything you had, then whatever result you get is a success.”

Finding Purpose Through Political Science

Holler chose Political Science because of her long-term goal of attending law school. Pairing the major with a minor in English allowed her to strengthen both her understanding of political systems and her writing skills.

A particularly meaningful experience came in Advanced Public Policy Analysis with Fanny Lauby, where students worked on developing policy solutions for real-world issues affecting communities in New Jersey.

“We experienced for ourselves what policymakers actually do,” Holler says. “This was meaningful to me because it exposed me to a possible career path early on.”

She also credits faculty mentors including , , and with helping shape her academic journey through their mentorship, enthusiasm and support.

“One thing I learned from my time in CHSS and at Montclair State that will stick with me is that I have so many people in my corner supporting me,” she says.

Learning Through Service

Outside of athletics and academics, Holler also dedicated time to tutoring fifth-grade students through the Ignite teaching fellowship program. Four mornings a week before class, she worked with students on math lessons and helped build their confidence in the classroom.

“That was an amazing experience,” she says. “I loved being able to help the kids I worked with.”

The experience taught her adaptability, communication and time management, skills she says will continue to benefit her long after graduation.

Looking Ahead

This summer, Holler plans to take the LSAT and begin applying to law schools as she prepares for the next chapter of her academic and professional journey.

Looking back, she says college taught her that success is not about perfection, but about persistence, growth and continuing forward even through challenges.

Quoting Vincent van Gogh, Holler reflects on a lesson she will carry with her beyond graduation: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

For Holler, those small things — practices, assignments, friendships, setbacks and accomplishments — ultimately came together to shape a college experience defined by determination and growth.

Department Scholarships and Awards

Frank G. and Nicole McGuire Scholarship: Madelyn McDevitt

Bessie Saslaw Solomon Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Shalongo and Lena Stein

Shari Kandell Scholarship: Robert Moore

Marie Frazee-Baldassarre Award for Excellence in Writing about Film: Gabrielle Williams

Bernard Fleischmann Memorial Award: Ashley Harkcom

Janet Holt Scholarship: Amina Odinaeva
Elizabeth Dean Eler Memorial Award: Malak Bayoumy

English Department Teacher Education Award: Mariam Kamladze

Anthony Lovasco Shakespeare Award: Avery Maglies

Murray Prosky Prize in Irish Literature: Amina Odinaeva

Vivien L. Kwiatek Scholarship: Victony Garcia, Rylee Garrett, Paula Milian, Hailey Read, Althea Shatsky, Leila Vinnik, Tianna Willie

Graduate Scholarships and Awards

Mary Bondon Graduate Scholarship: Chris Recio

Lawrence H. Conrad Memorial Scholarship: Hailey Read

The drive was organized by Wendy C. Nielsen (English Department), in collaboration with Jennifer Dudeck‑Lenis (Social Work and Child Advocacy) and Jeff Gonzalez (English), who delivered the donations to Bridge of Books in Monmouth County. Contributors included but are not limited to the Child Advocacy Club (President Jaclyn Alicea and Secretary Ashley Rahill, mentored by Nydia Monagas and Jennifer Dudeck‑Lenis), the English Club (advised by Jeffrey Gonzalez), Steffi Dippold (History and English), Laura Nicosia (English and ISST), Wendy Nielsen, their students, and English alumna Chloe Driscoll.

Access to books is access to possibility. This collaboration showed what our community can accomplish together—from student leaders and alumni to staff and faculty—so more New Jersey kids can become addicted to reading and the world of imagination.
– Wendy C. Nielsen, faculty organizer

About Bridge of Books Foundation
Founded in New Jersey in 2003, Bridge of Books has grown from a volunteer‑led effort into a statewide partner that collects and distributes books through drives, individual donations, publishers, and community events—always with the goal of getting as many books as possible into the hands of kids who need them.

VOCES, created by Latinos of Montclair, is a Latino thought leaders series dedicated to creating an open space to uplift the voices and perspectives of Latino/e authors, artists, elected officials, community advocates, business leaders, and culture makers. Each gathering is designed to create space to reflect on Latinidad at this moment – its complexities, its beauty, and its future.

The event will take place at ����vlog’s Conference Center and is expected to draw an audience from across New Jersey of community members, students, and literature enthusiasts.

Díaz, best known for his celebrated works The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Drown, has long been recognized for his groundbreaking exploration of identity, diaspora, and belonging. His writing, deeply rooted in the Dominican American experience, has reshaped contemporary literature and inspired a generation of readers and writers to examine the intersections of culture, history, and imagination. In recent years, Díaz has extended his voice beyond fiction, contributing powerful op-eds that confront the realities facing American Latinos amid an increasingly polarized political climate.

At this special VOCES event, Díaz will discuss “the intersections of culture, history, and imagination in the context of the current political climate,” engaging in a candid fireside conversation followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

. ����vlog students, faculty and staff can attend for free, but must reserve a ticket and show their University ID at the door. Books will be available for purchase on-site.

�ٲ��ٱ�:��Thursday, December 4
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: University Hall Conference Center

About the VOCES Latino Thought Leaders Series

The VOCES Series, created by Latinos of Montclair, is dedicated to uplifting the voices and perspectives of Latine authors, artists, elected officials, community advocates, business leaders, and culture makers. Each gathering creates an open space to reflect on Latinidad at this moment – its complexities, its beauty, and its future. Through intimate fireside conversations, VOCES celebrates literature, identity, community building, and the power of storytelling to inspire social and cultural transformation.

About Latinos of Montclair

Latinos of Montclair is a New Jersey–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community, celebrating culture, and amplifying the diverse voices of the Latino community through arts, education, and civic engagement. The organization produces signature cultural programs such as the Latino Heritage Celebration, Día de los Muertos Festival, and the VOCES Thought Leaders Series.

“I began to get more involved in the Montclair community and eventually fell in love with the student body,” she says.

Switching her major to English during her first year opened the door to new opportunities and connections. A class called Great Books and Ideas () made her feel confident and inspired, and a memorable trip through the Literary London class helped her form lifelong friendships.

Faith quickly became a powerhouse presence in the English department: vice president of the English Club, producer of its podcast, and co-creator of the Hawk+ show . She also served as secretary for creative arts magazine and was the first recipient of the Dr. Edwin Fulcomer Internship Award in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

But it’s —the knitting, crocheting, and fiber arts club she founded—that’s closest to her heart. “It’s flourished in such an amazing way,” she says. “The most rewarding part is meeting lots of people.” In 2025, the club was named Special Interest Club of the Year.

Behind her accomplishments are mentors who made a lasting impact: Dr. Lee Behlman, Dr. Jeffrey Miller, Dr. Jeffrey Gonzalez, and Dr. Laura Nicosia. “Each of them helped me in a different way—whether it was building confidence, opening doors, or guiding me into the Combined BA/MA program.”

Faith’s journey has changed how she defines success. “It’s not about a bulleted list of achievements—it’s about meeting people and improving their lives,” she says.

With her English BA complete and studies for her English MA underway, Faith’s not done yet – she’s ready to deepen her study of literature and its power to connect, inspire, and make change. Her advice to new students? “Talk to people and go for it. Whatever ‘it’ is, don’t let college pass you by.”

And as for that old myth that English is an “easy” major? Faith says: “It’s not easy—at least not if you care. English teaches you to understand the messages behind what you read. And in today’s world, that’s more important than ever.”

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students and Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions, our English major and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.