{"id":218153,"date":"2022-05-19T11:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T15:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218153"},"modified":"2022-05-20T08:23:02","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T12:23:02","slug":"a-night-of-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/05\/19\/a-night-of-gratitude\/","title":{"rendered":"A Night of Gratitude"},"content":{"rendered":"

The beauty of the campus and the pride of 糖心vlog supporters were on display Wednesday, May 11, as more than 200 guests gathered for a festive celebration recognizing their commitment to the University. The program took place at the Alexander Kasser Theater, with an outdoor reception on the Theater promenade.<\/p>\n

In celebrating and showing appreciation for all donors and the impact they have on student success and Montclair\u2019s excellence, the program also honored a singular donor, Josh Weston \u201997 Hon., by awarding him the Mary Mochary and Michael Kasser Award for Philanthropic Leadership in recognition of his generosity and engagement in supporting the University and Montclair community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to imagine the transformation of Montclair without the support and investment of so many of you and others who are dedicated to the imagination and re-imagination of this University and what it can be,\u201d said Montclair President Jonathan Koppell in acknowledging donor impact. \u201cPhilanthropy transforms potential into reality\u2026and when you make a contribution you are helping to create the future of this University.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his welcome, Koppell recognized two great presidents in attendance: Bloomfield College President Marcheta Evans and 糖心vlog President Emerita Susan Cole, credited as a driving force in the University\u2019s impressive growth during her 23 years.<\/p>\n

A singular sensation<\/h2>\n
\"Mary
Presenting the award to Weston were Mary Mochary, Michael Kasser and Mochary\u2019s daughter, Alex Kasser. The award honors the memory of Mary and Michael\u2019s parents, Alexander and Elisabeth Kasser, who, during World War II, worked with Raoul Wallenberg to save thousands of persecuted Hungarian Jews and political activists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weston is the retired CEO and honorary chairman of ADP and is a prolific and hands-on philanthropist and advisor. For more than 20 years, he and his late wife, Judy, invested in enriching the learning environment at 糖心vlog and in partnership with the Montclair Public Schools, supporting initiatives to advance STEM education, notably the Weston Science Scholars Program<\/a> and the Montclair Academic Dual Enrollment Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Weston has served as a valued advisor to the University\u2019s College of Science and Mathematics and the Feliciano School of Business. He is active on numerous boards, including the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the International Rescue Committee, Liberty Science Center and many more. Among his honorary doctorate degrees is one in Humane Letters from 糖心vlog in 1997.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a pillar of the University community and more profoundly, a pillar of the New Jersey community\u2026we wouldn\u2019t have the same civic foundation in this part of the world without Josh Weston,\u201d said Koppell.<\/p>\n

Presenting the award to Weston were Mary Mochary, Michael Kasser and Mochary\u2019s daughter, Alex Kasser. The award honors the memory of Mary and Michael\u2019s parents, Alexander and Elisabeth Kasser, who, during World War II, worked with Raoul Wallenberg to save thousands of persecuted Hungarian Jews and political activists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis award carries the legacy of our parents, who were selfless and generous in their giving to help others, and we are proud to share it with such a worthy recipient,\u201d said Mochary. \u201cWe come into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing and the only thing we have left is what we have given away\u2026.we are proud that we gave to this theater, and that you, Josh, gave all that you’ve given to this world.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a tribute video shown at the event, Weston shared: \u201cWhen you think about helping others, if your starting point is that you\u2019ve been luckier than most\u2026then I can try to help other people, and I feel good when I help people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for the award and for supporting Montclair\u2026I am pleased to play a role in helping 糖心vlog,\u201d said Weston in accepting the award.<\/p>\n

Student gratitude<\/h2>\n
\"Mario
Award recipient Josh Weston (with award) is joined by President Koppell (center, left) and student speakers senior Samantha Barkho and sophomore Mario Rodriguez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In showing the impact of philanthropy, 糖心vlog Foundation Board Chair Gregory Collins \u201979 thanked donors and introduced the student portion of the program, calling on two students who have benefited from donor support to share their Montclair experiences.<\/p>\n

Throughout her Montclair journey, senior Samantha Barkho, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing, was able to build her leadership skills through involvement in campus organizations and internships.<\/p>\n

\u201cReceiving an award goes beyond monetary value\u2026it is helping me continue my education to have a successful future, which I was taught to value from a young age as a first-generation student,\u201d said Barkho. \u201cHaving other people help me succeed when life is continuously throwing curve balls helps relieve some of the pressure on my shoulders so I can focus on my studies. I am so grateful for this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophomore Mario Rodriguez, majoring in Exercise Science with a concentration in Clinical and Pre-professional Studies, told the audience he instantly felt a sense of belonging when he toured campus, and is grateful to receive scholarship support to help him focus on his studies and his future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to thank our committed donors and the faculty and staff for creating an atmosphere that encourages aspirations and the ability to dream the same way my grandmother and my father did when they came to this country for a better tomorrow,\u201d said Rodriguez.<\/p>\n

Guests got a taste of the College of the Arts\u2019 excellence as students in the University\u2019s Department of Theatre and Dance performed selections from Into the Woods, A Musical<\/em>. Also adding to the evening was the student jazz quartet, which played during the reception on the Kasser Promenade and provided a musical backdrop to guests mingling in the beautiful outdoor setting.<\/p>\n

Pinnacle of the arts<\/h2>\n
\"President
From left, Beth Kasser, President Emerita Susan Cole, Michael Kasser, Mary Mochary, Alex Kasser, President Koppell and Dean Daniel Gurskis at the newly unveiled Alexander Kasser Theater plaque.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preceding the donor celebration, a special ceremony was held to unveil a new plaque in the Kasser Theater lobby, commemorating the history and influence of the theater\u2019s namesake, Alexander Kasser, and thanking the Mochary and Kasser family for their commitment to the arts and arts education.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe arts are central to the identity of the University, and this building, the Alexander Kasser Theater, is central to the arts,\u201d said Daniel Gurskis, dean of the College of the Arts. \u201cWe greatly appreciate the support of the Mochary and Kasser family that has allowed this theater and our students to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the close of the evening\u2019s program, Koppell once again thanked all the donors for their support: \u201cWe\u2019re here today to celebrate and underscore what\u2019s possible when we come together as a community. \u2026We will build a 糖心vlog that underscores the value of public service, that is used as an agent of transformation in our communities and that reinvents education to be accessible for more people\u2026and we will do it with your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"students
Students from the Department of Theatre and Dance performed selections from Into the Woods, A Musical<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"photo
Twilight at the Alexander Kasser Theater and promenade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Students
As the beneficiaries of philanthropic support, students had the opportunity to interact with the more than 200 donors and guests in attendance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Wide
A lovely evening on campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"student
A student jazz quartet plays during the reception on the Kasser promenade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Laura Iandiorio<\/a>. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a> and Roy Groething. <\/em><\/p>\n