Monmouth’s Timeline
Since 1933, Monmouth has transformed from a junior college that offered night classes at Long Branch High School to a nationally ranked university boasting doctoral programs, Division I athletics, and state-of-the art facilities. Despite this growth, one thing remains the same: Monmouth’s Hawk Pride. Explore our rich history and learn about the students, alumni, and visionaries who have and continue to make Monmouth soar.

1933
On December 17, 1933, the establishment of Monmouth Junior College was announced in the Asbury Park Press

1933
Monmouth Junior College pennant

1933
Edward G. Schlaefer served as the founding director of Monmouth Junior College

1933
More about Edward Schlaefer

1933
Night classes were held at Long Branch High School

1933
Article about Monmouth Junior College in the Asbury Park Press

Mid 1930s
The original Woods Theater

1939
Monmouth Junior College logo


Late 1940s – Early 1950s
Copies of Monmouth’s yearbooks are archived at the Guggenheim Library; the Alumni House offers alumni the opportunity to sift through editions from almost every year

1951
Men’s Basketball Team 1951-1952

1952
Aerial view of Monmouth Junior College campus

1955
Edward Schlaefer options Shadow Lawn

1955
News about the sale hits the Asbury Park Press

1955
Dr. Eugene H. Lehman signs over the deed to Shadow Lawn estate to Monmouth Junior College for $350,000, with the provision that he serves as president of Monmouth College for one year

1956
From 1956 – 1957, Dr. Eugene Lehman served as the first president of Monmouth College

1956
This plaque honors Monmouth’s founding Board of Trustees; pictured on the right is Edward Schlaefer’s daughter, Nancy Bruch ’58, who continues to be an active member of the alumni association

1957
Edward G. Schlaefer becomes president of Monmouth College and serves through 1962

1957
Monmouth’s first commencement was held on Shadow Lawn

1958
Monmouth College awards its first four-year bachelor’s degrees and changes its name from “Monmouth Junior College” to “Monmouth College”

1958

1958

1959
Telegram from President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, congratulating Monmouth on its 25th anniversary

1959
Students enjoying social events during the summer of ’59



1960
Monmouth spirit gear

1960
Campus life

1960
The Murry and Leonie Guggenheim Foundation transfers ownership of the Guggenheim Cottage to Monmouth College and it is dedicated as the college library the following year

1960s
Exams were taken in the Great Hall

1960s
Student life in the ’60s

1960s
Car Club

1960s
Parking on campus in the 1960s

1960s
Greek chariot races were held during Spring Weekend and raised funds for the Dr. Schlaefer Memorial Scholarship Fund

1960s
Greek Life conversation with Alpha Theta Chi

1960s
Ron Kornegay ’69 ’74M, No. 22, was the first men’s basketball number to be retired

1960s
Aerial view of campus in the ’60s

1960s
Bowling team

1960s
Faculty took advantage of hosting class outside of Great Hall

1960s
Student dining hall

1960s
Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house

1960s
Tau Kappa Beta photo taken in Erlanger Gardens

1960s
Zeta Upsilon Sigma supports Monmouth Athletics by participating in spirit parade

1962
On December 13, Monmouth’s Hawk mascot, Phoenix, passed away

1962
Cheerleading squad

1962
Drum majorettes pose on steps of Great Hall

1962
Sailing Team

1962
Dr. William G. Van Note served as President of Monmouth College from 1962 – 1971

1963
Monmouth’s first campus residence halls, Elmwood and Pinewood, open

1963
Student Government Association

1964
Monmouth’s band performs at the World’s Fair in New York

1964
Shadow Lawn was a popular student hang-out between classes

1965
Students and the Alumni Association assist with fundraising efforts

1965
Volunteer fundraising efforts continue

1965
Bob Hope ’65HN receives an honorary degree from Monmouth College

1965
Monmouth’s name adorns the college gates

1966
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at Monmouth College on October 6, 1966, launching the Student Union Lecture Series

1967
Monmouth College is authorized to offer graduate programs and award master’s degrees

1968
Alumnus Harold Hodes ’68 practices his degree in political science

1968
Monmouth’s Diving Team

1968
Monmouth Swimming vs. Yale

1969
Frank Valli and “The Four Seasons” entertain at the Mardi Gras Weekend Concert in the gymnasium

1969
Musician Ray Charles plays in Monmouth’s gymnasium

1969
African American Studies Club meeting

1969
Men’s tennis

1969
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Pollak bequeathed their home to Monmouth, which led to the construction of what is now a hub for the Center for the Arts, Pollak Theatre

1970s
Move-in day

1970s
Students participate in another academic year

1970s
Social events like tug-of-war across Whale Pond Brook became popular

1970s
Tug-of-war

1970s
Triggered by the Vietnam War, Monmouth students initiated sit-in protests around campus

1970
Glamour contest in Great Hall

1970
Student life activities continued with canoe races on Whale Pond Brook

1970
Students parade from the Student Union

1971
Richard Stonesifer begins term as fourth president of Monmouth College, serving until 1979

1971
Students participated in a bikini contest during winter

1973
In 1973, construction begins on the College Center, known today as the Rebecca Stafford Student Center

1973
Convocation

1974
Famed men’s basketball coach, Bill Boylan, speaks with senior, Don Kleber ’74

1974
Men’s basketball

1976
Wendy Boglioli set world and Olympic records in swimming

1976
Women’s swimming

1977
The 1977 baseball team heads to the World Series

1979
Baseball team

1979
Monmouth students protest the faculty strike

1979
The NY Knicks trained in the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium, known today as Boylan Gymnasium

1979
Women’s basketball



1980
Samuel Hays Magill begins term as president and serves until 1993

1980s
Monmouth’s mascot, Shadow the Hawk

1980s
Former equestrian team members ride horses outside of the Great Hall

1982
Monmouth College was the location for the film, “Annie”

1982
Members of Monmouth College including President Samuel Magill sit with Eileen Quinn during filming of “Annie”

1982
Filming of the movie “Annie” in the Great Hall

1982
Behind-the-scenes photos of “Annie”

1982
Behind-the-scenes photos of “Annie”

1982
Swimming scene filmed in the Great Hall’s pool

1983
Monmouth College celebrates its 50th anniversary

1983
Students wearing 50th anniversary t-shirts

1983
Members of the Class of 1958 attended their 25th reunion

1984
Monmouth College leadership and trustees gather for a photo at Founder’s Day

1987
The Athletics Hall of Fame was established

1987
Rendering of Samuel E. and Mollie Bey Hall at Monmouth College

1988
Former Athletics Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Wayne Szoke proudly stands in front of Monmouth Athletics billboard

1988
Student Ellen Brennan ’88 processes at commencement

1988
Historic Great Hall renovations

1988
Excitement about student move-in

1988
Alumni from the 1930s hold reunion in 1988

1992
Monmouth Bookstore ad

1992
Dr. Thomas Pearson named Provost

1992
Founder’s Day

1993
Monmouth football’s first game

1993
Rebecca Stafford begins term as sixth President of Monmouth College, serving from 1993-2003

1994
The School of Graduate Studies is established

1994
Students in the Guggenheim Library

1994
Students show off their Monmouth pride

1994
Early advertisements for the athletics booster club, now known as the Blue/White Club

1995
Monmouth receives University status and changes its name to Monmouth University

1995
Spring issue of the Monmouth Magazine celebrates University status

1996
Athletics Director Dr. Marilyn McNeil stands with Jeannette Goepfert ’92 to celebrate the retirement of her women’s soccer jersey

1996
Shadow the Hawk

1997
Commencement

1997
Students enjoying the Homecoming bonfire tradition

1999
Monmouth Yearbook turns 50

1999
WMCX turns 25



2000
Celebrated Honors School benefactor Jane Freed ’81 stands with students and famed faculty member and dean, Dr. Brian Garvey

2001
Monmouth opens the Student Underpass with Sen. Joseph Palaia

2002
Graduation on the Great Lawn

2002
Thanks to Robert McAllan ’69, Monmouth celebrates the naming dedication of academic building, Robert E. McAllan Hall

2002
Storm on campus

2002
Trustee Emeritus Jules L. Plangere Jr. ’86HN at the dedication of Jules L. Plangere Jr. Center for Communication and Instruction

2002
Vision Award presented to Jules L. Plangere Jr. ’86HN

2003
Joe Sentipal ’03 is the first Monmouth football player to earn Division I-AA All-American honors

2003
Paul G. Gaffney II served as Monmouth’s seventh president until 2013

2004
Christie Pearce ’99 received Olympic gold medals in soccer with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2004, 2008, and 2012

2004
Shadow the Hawk

2005
Former Monmouth University photographer, Ralph Binder

2005
Monmouth’s Capital Campaign Kick-Off event

2006
School of Social Work celebrates its 30th anniversary with Dean Dr. Robin Mama and alumni

2006
Men’s basketball takes on Villanova during the NCAA Tournament

2006
Men’s soccer is named NEC champions

2008
Alumni gather for the Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner in the Great Hall

2009
Student Government Association continues the Homecoming King and Queen crowning tradition during halftime

2009
Last men’s basketball game held in Boylan Gymnasium

2009
The MAC, now known as the OceanFirst Bank Center, opened

2009
Monmouth celebrates the opening of the MAC, the multipurpose activity center

2010
Miles Austin ’18, NFL wide receiver for the Cowboys and two-time Pro Bowl selection

2010
Monmouth Presidents Magill, Stafford, and Gaffney

2012
Financial Markets Lab opens in Bey Hall, enabling Monmouth students to have hands-on experience analyzing real-time market and financial data

2012
Thanks to the generosity of Robert Rechnitz and wife, Joan H. Rechnitz ’84 ’12HN, Rechnitz Hall supports and celebrates the work of our fine arts and graphic design students

2012
Move-In Day

2013
Dr. Paul R. Brown served as Monmouth’s eigth president until 2017

2013
Monmouth celebrates the groundbreaking of Pozycki Hall, thanks to the generosity of Steven J. Pozycki ’73

2014
Student volunteers help welcome the incoming class by assisting during move-in

2014
Monmouth hosts the dedication of the new soccer field named, Hesse Field on the Great Lawn

2014
Men’s lacrosse take on Saint Joseph’s University for their first ever home game

2016
Brad Brach ’08 was the first ever all-star in Major League Baseball from Monmouth

2016
Swimming was reinstated as a Division I sport

2016
The Polling Institute garnered national recognition for surveys conducted throughout the 2016 presidential race and also received an A+ rating

2017
The Kessler Stadium ribbon-cutting ceremony also marks the 25th anniversary of football at Monmouth

2017
Thanks to Robert Santelli ’73, Monmouth announced the creation of the Center for American Music and Springsteen Archives

2017
Grey J. Dimenna, Esq. was appointed president in 2017 and will serve as Monmouth’s ninth president until summer of 2019

2018
Monmouth rises 10 spots in US News & World Report rankings

2018
Renovated Edison Science Hall opens and offers science students hands-on, collaborative research opportunities

2018
The Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe, formerly known as the Nauvoo, was named and designated as Monmouth’s largest ocean research vessel

2018
Athletics Hall of Fame joins Alumni Weekend for the first time

2018
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2018

2018
Thanks to world renowned sculptor, Brian Hanlon ’88, the 22-foot wide bronze sculpture, The Hawk at Brockriede Common, was formally dedicated during Homecoming 2018

2018
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy was announced as the tenth president of Monmouth University on December 14, 2018 and will take office on August 1, 2019

2019
Michael Salvatore, Ph.D. ’98, Deb Mannix ’83, and Dante Barry ’10 are the alumni awards recipients, recognized for professional achievement, outstanding leadership and volunteer commitment to Monmouth



2020
The Class of 2020 is welcomed back for an in-person Commencement after finishing the year virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2020
The Linda Grunin Simulation Lab and Learning Center opens at the University’s Graduate Center, providing students with hands-on learning and training opportunities

2021
Wilson Hall is renamed the Great Hall at Shadow Lawn as part of a larger effort to make Monmouth a more inclusive and supportive community for all

2021
Pamela Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., joins the Monmouth University community as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs