{"id":209405,"date":"2025-11-06T12:51:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T17:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/?page_id=209405"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:09:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:09:18","slug":"montclair-250","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/montclair-250\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair 250"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Montclair<\/figure>\n

The 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation can be an occasion for looking back. It can also be a time to look forward. The American Experiment began in 1776 and has been evolving and changing ever since. The founders of this bold experiment in self governance understood that a democratic republic required perpetual vigilance and it needed to be adaptable.<\/p>\n

They also recognized that an educated citizenry is essential to democracy. This required universal education, which required teachers. Originally founded as Montclair Normal School, a teachers\u2019 college, Montclair maintains its mission to prepare students to \u201cflourish as collaborative, compassionate citizen-leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beginning with the President\u2019s Fall 2025 lecture series through the end of 2026, ÌÇÐÄvlog will be exploring various facets of what American innovation and ideals mean two and a half centuries later. This work will span across academic disciplines to show the full range of how far our country has come and where we must improve.<\/p>\n

For more information, please contact us at montclair250@montclair.edu.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

President\u2019s Lecture Series<\/h2>\n

In this lecture series, President Jonathan Koppell explores the American Experiment, its founding principles, the role of higher education and both contemporary and future challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n

Each session will include a formal lecture focusing on different aspects of the American Experiment with an emphasis on audience engagement and participation.
\n<\/p><\/div>

\n
\"President<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

Upcoming Lectures:<\/h2>\n

Ideals, Interests and International Engagement: The United States in World Affairs
\n<\/span>Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:00-7:30pm Presentation Hall<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

America\u2019s role in shaping the global political and economic order has shifted repeatedly over the last 250 years, reflecting the evolution of American interests and longstanding debates regarding the role of the United States in world affairs. Drawing on foundational principles, pivotal historical moments, and contemporary challenges, this lecture explores how American power, values, and institutions have influenced international norms, security, and governance and also how international dynamics have shaped American democracy. The lecture considers tensions between ideals and practices \u2013 democracy, markets, sovereignty, nation-building, imperialism, isolationism, intervention \u2013 in U.S. engagement abroad. Participants will be invited to reflect on the ways in which American leadership on the global stage has shaped our nation and what that implies in the current era.<\/p>\n

May Faculty\u00a0Showcase: Toward an Engaged University
\n<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In this 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the question of what sustains an educated, engaged citizenry has never felt more urgent.<\/p>\n

Montclair 250<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0has highlighted the importance of an educated citizenry to the ongoing American experiment. As an R2 public university with Carnegie designations of Community Engagement and Leadership for Public Purpose, and as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution, Montclair is uniquely positioned to lead this conversation.<\/p>\n

The May Faculty Showcase is intended to be a true gathering of our academic community. Its success depends on broad participation\u2014not only from those presenting, but from those who join to listen, learn and engage. We are intentionally building in time for conversation, reflection and networking because the most transformative ideas emerge when we show up for one another.<\/p>\n

Please join us on May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Montclair 250 Events:<\/h2>\n

Hamilton Movie Night
\nWednesday, April 8, 2026; 6:30-9:30pm
\nCalcia Hall 140<\/h3>\n

A screening of the filmed broadway musical Hamilton with a brief pre show presentation on Hamilton’s legacy and America’s founding. Presented by the Montclair History Club.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Trip
\nSaturday, April 11, 2026<\/h3>\n

A free student-led educational trip to Philadelphia centered on visits to the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and multiple sites within Independence National Historical Park (Such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center). The trip emphasizes thoughtful engagement with America\u2019s founding ideals, as well as the contradictions and difficult histories associated with them, all while standing in the spaces where those ideas were first articulated and debated. Furthermore, the trip encourages thoughtful reflection on the past 250 years of our nation\u2019s past and a space to discuss our next 250. Presented by the Montclair History Club.<\/span><\/p>\n

David Witten: A Piano Recital Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
\nSunday, April 12, 2026; 5:00pm
\nLeshowitz Hall<\/h3>\n

This program will feature specific and relevant repertoire connected with George Washington with Francis Hopkinson (one of the signers of the Declaration),\u00a0 Hollywood Stars and Charles Ives, etc.\u00a0
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pickle Palooza
\nMonday, April 13, 2026; 1:30-3:30pm
\nStudent Center<\/h3>\n

Join us for Pickle Palooza! A celebration of the sandwich’s polarizing pal, the pickle! There will be pickle tastings, photo opps, costumes, information on voting, gardening, mason jar decorating and so much more. Check it out! A silly celebration to celebrate spring! It’ll be a big dill!<\/p>\n

A familiar food highlights serious themes in American history and civil discourse: from colonial preservation practices to regional food traditions, pickles have long been part of the American story\u2014shared across cultures, generations and communities.<\/p>\n

“We Declare”: A Poets Forum
\nTuesday, April 14, 2026; 4:00-5:30pm
\nVan Fossen Theater<\/h3>\n

Join us for a performance of poems connected to freedom, independence, prosperity and justice.<\/p>\n

Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History
\nSaturday, April 18, 2026; 12:00-3:00pm
\nCrane House & Historic YWCA Museum, 110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ<\/h3>\n

Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare first-hand accounts, primary and secondary source documents at the Crane House & Historic YWCA. Artifacts include a bill of sale for an enslaved person in the household, an 1800s newspaper, census data, personal letters, oral histories, and mid-century Jet and Ebony magazines. These artifacts provide a springboard for discussion about race both in the past and in the present-day. Tours begin at 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm at the Nathaniel Crane House & Visitor Center located at the back of the parking lot. No reservations required. Admission is $12\/adult; $10\/student\/senior with ID; $8\/child; under 2 free. MHC members are free! Free admission programs include: Families First program, military personnel, NARM, MHC members, Montclair students, and Montclair Public Library Members.<\/p>\n

Time will Tell: Youth Perspectives on the Declaration of Independence (time capsule for 2051)
\nMonday, April 27, 2026; 4:00-5:00pm
\nUniversity Hall, 1050<\/h3>\n

A panel of Honors students will discuss motivations and methods used in the collection of objects and stories for a 25-year time capsule documenting perceptions of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.<\/p>\n

French Poems of Independence (Haiti, France, Senegal)
\nWednesday, April 29, 2026; 12:30-1:15pm
\nFeliciano School of Business, 221<\/h3>\n

Readings by students, faculty, staff, and community members (in French, English, and Kreyol) of poems written to celebrate French language declarations of independences inspired by the American Revolution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Historic Pine Street Walking Tour
\nSaturday, May 16, 2026
\nBaldwin and Pine Street, Montclair NJ
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Join us for a walking tour of the Pine Street neighborhood, where we\u2019ll explore its architectural gems, uncover fascinating historical facts, and share lively anecdotes\u2014contributions from those familiar with the area are warmly welcomed. This historic district tells the rich story of Montclair\u2019s Italian immigrant community, its residents, and local businesses. The tour includes a special treat from Nicolo\u2019s Bakery and is led by Director Angelica Diggs and Board of Turstee Donato DiGeronimo. Total walking distance is approximately 1 mile.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20\/person. $15\/person for Members (contact our office for the coupon code) Tickets are required in advance. Register here: https:\/\/events.humanitix.com\/historic-pine-street-waking-tour-may-16th-at-11-am<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation can be an occasion for looking back. It can also be a time to look forward. The American Experiment began in 1776 and has been evolving and changing ever since. The founders of this bold experiment in self governance understood that a democratic republic required perpetual […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":411,"featured_media":209407,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-209405","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/411"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209405"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209405\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":209551,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209405\/revisions\/209551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/209407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}