The View From Here

Hail to the new chief, the new campus hot spot, and more news from Monmouth.


Photo by Matthew Geller

The New Campus Hot Spot

Nagy Common, a refreshed outdoor gathering space adjacent to the Rebecca Stafford Student Center, was completed last fall. The transformation of the patio into a vibrant new gathering space, complete with a fire pit and ample seating, was made possible by a gift from Stafford, who served as president from 1993 to 2003.

It is named in honor of her friend and former colleague, Mary Anne Nagy ’91M, ’01M, who retired as vice president of student life and leadership engagement in 2023.

A headshot of Chief Milton Morris on campus.

Hail to the New Chief

Milton “Milt” G. Morris ’11, a 31-year veteran of the Monmouth University Police Department, was sworn in as chief last summer. A proud alumnus, Morris earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Monmouth and previously served as a sergeant.

As Seen on TV

Students from a Monmouth prelaw class who examined a blown call that denied Armando Galarraga a perfect game and appealed his case to the commissioner of MLB were featured in the ESPN documentary “28 Outs: An Imperfect Story.” The episode is available to stream on Hulu and ESPN+.

Inspiring at Any Age

Civil rights icon, activist, and author Ruby Bridges captivated a packed Pollak Theatre last fall, reflecting on her historic role as the first Black child to integrate an all-white elementary school at age 6 and her continued advocacy for racial equity and justice in education. “I really feel like my life is not my own,” Bridges said. “I believe in my heart that I am just a vehicle and that what is happening to me is happening through me.”

A headshot of Ruby Bridges speaking at Pollak Theatre.
A photo of science students Nick Brewer and Dom Acerra with Professor Burke.

Financial First

Students from the Leon Hess Business School took first place at the 2024 Student Managed Investment Fund Competition last fall. Monmouth’s fund, which is managed by students in Specialist Professor John Burke’s Hawk Capital class, achieved a 45.2% return last year and as of November 2024 was valued at over $600,000 in assets. This was Monmouth’s first time competing in the event, which drew over 300 students from 23 universities.

An infographic sidebar with the theme Universities color scheme—white, gray, light blue and dark blue with the following information: Headline: Momentum in Metrics. Text: 50 — Percentage of students in the current first-year class—Monmouth’s most diverse ever—who are first generation and/or Pell Grant eligible. 26 — Monmouth’s gains on Washington Monthly’s Social Mobility Index... 18 — ... and on U.S. News & World Report’s Top Performers on Social Mobility list in 2024. 20—Consecutive years The Princeton Review has named Monmouth one of the nation’s best universities for undergraduates. 15 — Monmouth’s ranking on U.S. News’ 2025 Best Colleges, Regional Universities North list—its highest-ever position. 10—Consecutive years Money magazine has named Monmouth to its Best Colleges in America list.