Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As we head into our extended Thanksgiving break, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on this semester’s successes, and express my gratitude for the many ways you strengthen our University.

Our students and faculty have distinguished themselves through scholarship, creativity, and competition. The Model UN team represented Monmouth with distinction at Oxford University, earning recognition for diplomacy and collaboration. The new Cyber Hawks delivered a strong showing in their national cybersecurity contest debut, demonstrating the practical strength of our academic programs in technology and defense. The Debate Hawks excelled in regional tournaments, continuing a proud tradition of critical inquiry and persuasive communication.

Our student-athletes also excelled both on the field and in the classroom. This season, a number of our fall teams—men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and football—posted strong performances and represented Monmouth with pride. Equally impressive, the latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate reports that 91 percent of Monmouth student-athletes earned their degrees, with a dozen programs earning perfect scores.

The fall semester also saw continued momentum for the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music. The 50th anniversary of “Born to Run” brought scholars, artists, and visitors from around the world to explore the history and impact of American music. We also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Urban Coast Institute, whose research has advanced coastal sustainability in New Jersey and beyond.

As you gather with family and friends, or find your own way to rest, I hope you’ll take a moment in the coming days to step back and recognize what we’ve accomplished together. I look forward to finishing the semester with energy, enthusiasm, and success when we return.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Each year on November 11, we pause as a nation to honor those who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Their service, on land, at sea, and in the air, whether in battle or in quiet posts across the world, has protected the freedoms that define our democracy and the principles that bind us together.

At Monmouth University, we are privileged to count veterans and military-connected students, faculty, staff, and alumni among our community. Their example reminds us that leadership emerges through service, and that service can take many forms. For some veterans, service extends beyond the uniform trough teaching, mentoring, or volunteering to strengthen the institutions that sustain our shared freedoms.

Among those freedoms are the right to think independently, to speak openly, and to learn without fear—values that form the foundation of higher education and that generations of service members have fought to protect. In defending the Constitution, they have safeguarded not only our borders but also the intellectual freedom that gives meaning to university life.

This Veterans Day, we recognize that the responsibility to uphold those freedoms belongs to all of us. The courage and commitment of our veterans challenge us to engage fully as citizens—to listen generously, to seek understanding, and to contribute to the common good.

I encourage you to attend our Veterans Day celebration today at 11:00 a.m. in the Pompeii Room, Great Hall to recognize the extraordinary contributions of military service members within our campus community.

To every veteran and military family in the Monmouth community, thank you. Your service strengthens this country, and your continued presence enriches this university.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On this solemn day, we join together as a community to remember the lives lost in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Whether you have a personal memory of where you were on that fateful day, or learned about the events as a historical fact, together we live in a nation forever changed by the attacks.

As we reflect on this day of loss, we honor the 2,977 individuals who perished and the countless acts of courage that emerged during those dark moments. In their memory, we will observe the tolling of the University bells at the times below. We invite everyone in our community to pause for a moment of silence during each bell toll to pay tribute to those we lost.

8:46 a.m.  │ American Airlines Flight 11 strikes the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 a.m.  │ American Airlines Flight 175 strikes the South Tower.
9:43 a.m.  │ Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon.
10:10 a.m.│ United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in Pennsylvania, after heroic actions by passengers and crew.

We also encourage members of our community to visit the 9/11 Veterans Memorial located near Nagy Common between 9 a.m. and noon today. We will plant flags, and will hold an additional moment of silence at noon to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who responded in the immediate aftermath, and rose in service and sacrifice in the years that followed.

Beginning at dusk, we will illuminate the facades of the Great Hall and the Guggenheim Memorial Library in blue, in conjunction with the annual Tribute in Lightled by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.  This simple but striking gesture recalls the clear blue color of the sky on that September morning 24 years ago, and shines a light on all who responded, those we lost, and all who continue to mourn and carry the memory forward.

I hope that through our collective remembrance, as a university community, we may ensure that the lessons and legacies of September 11 endure. May we never forget.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to share with you that Andrew Brannen will soon join Monmouth University as the new Vice President and Chief Business Officer. His appointment concludes a comprehensive national search process that resulted in more than 70 applicants.

Since 2017, Andrew has worked in various senior administrative roles at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. He first joined Kean as the Vice President for Administration and Finance, was later promoted to the Senior Vice President for Finance, and most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, he has been responsible for oversight of the following areas: budget, human resources, information technology, finance, student accounting, financial planning and analysis, procurement, business services, and in recent months facilities. During his tenure at Kean, Andrew served an extensive stint as the Acting Executive Vice-Chancellor at Wenzhou Kean University in Wenzhou, China, and has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the College of Business and Public Management.

Kean employs more than 2,000 full and part-time faculty and staff, has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of over 15,000 students, and offers more than 120 programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Kean recently received designation as an R2 Research University by the Carnegie Classification, and has earned distinction of being both a First-Gen Forward Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. And, more than half of Kean students are Pell Grant-eligible.

Prior to working in higher education, Andrew spent nearly two decades as a city administrator in various municipalities, most recently for the neighboring Township of Ocean. Andrew earned an M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois, an M.P.A. degree from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. degree in government from the University of Notre Dame.

He is acutely aware of the current higher education landscape in America, particularly in New Jersey. His expansive role as CFO at Kean University, coupled with his familiarity with Monmouth County and New Jersey, position him well for success as the Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Monmouth University.

Andrew will begin his new position at Monmouth in mid-July, and will have ample opportunities to meet members from across the university community in the ensuing months. I look forward to introducing Andrew to all of you more formally over the summer.

I am grateful to the members of the search committee who worked diligently over the past several months to help narrow a deep and competitive applicant pool. Please join me in thanking Mary Byrne, Dr. Matt Harmon, Dr. Bob McCaig, Emily Miller-Gonzalez, Tim Rehm, Lu-Ann Russell, and John Sonn both for serving in this capacity and for representing the university community so well during the course of this search.

Please join me in congratulating Andrew Brannen on his new role, and in welcoming him to Monmouth University.

Sincerely,

Pat
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Students:

As we wind down the Spring semester, I want to extend my congratulations to each of you. Your dedication and perseverance have been evident throughout this academic term, and I commend you for your achievements.

To our graduating seniors: You are about to join a distinguished alumni family of nearly 60,000 Hawks. Your time at Monmouth University has prepared you to make meaningful contributions in your chosen fields. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at the upcoming commencement ceremonies.

And, to our continuing students: Whether you plan to take summer courses or to start up again in the fall, we are here to support your ongoing academic journey and future successes.

This semester has been marked by significant milestones for our university community. Notably, Monmouth University has been designated in the “Research Colleges and Universities” category in the 2025 Carnegie Classification update, placing us among a select group of institutions recognized for their research and scholarship activity. Our Middle States site visit exceeded expectations, and we have every indication of a favorable result in our reaffirmation of accreditation in June. These are strong indications that your university remains on the move!

Our students have distinguished themselves in every area. The Leon Hess Business School team earned first place at the national Student Managed Investment Fund competition. Four hundred sixty-four student-athletes were named to the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, with our Field Hockey Team earning the top GPA in the nation. On the field, three recent football players signed contracts with NFL teams. Mission-driven student groups traveled to India. Model UN and the Debate Hawks continued to compete well against teams from some of the finest schools in the nation. Love Blue Monmouth led multiple beach cleanups, removing significant amounts of trash from local shorelines, and senior Diederik Boonman even discovered a new invasive species along the Jersey Shore. And, just last week, Alex Kalina won the statewide UPitch NJ new enterprise pitch competition.

This sense of accomplishment reflects more than individual success. It speaks to the strength of the community you continue to build. Monmouth is a place where students from a wide range of backgrounds come together to learn, to lead, and to support one another. You have helped shape a university environment that affirms belonging, and the senior administration and I will continue to ensure that all students find here at Monmouth a safe and supportive environment. As I often say, we are a place that doesn’t just tolerate each other’s differences; we celebrate them. That is not a given on every college campus. It is the result of your commitment—and a source of great pride for me personally.

As we look ahead, I encourage you to take pride in your recent accomplishments and to make the most of the upcoming summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

In just under a week, we will welcome a visiting team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as part of our reaffirmation of accreditation process. As I have mentioned in many of my open calls, this is a significant milestone in the life of the University, and your role in it is essential.

From April 6-9, a team of peer evaluators—colleagues from institutions across our region—will visit Monmouth to assess our performance in alignment with the MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. During their time on campus, they will engage with students, faculty, staff, trustees, and administrators. Their charge is to verify that Monmouth meets the rigorous expectations of accreditation, and to evaluate how effectively we advance academic excellence, support student success, and uphold inclusive access.

This visit is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to share our aspirations for the future. The evaluators will have examined our Self-Study Report, and will rely on authentic conversations to understand who we are as an institution. In preparation for their visit, it may be helpful for you to reflect on how your work connects to Monmouth’s mission, how you assess your outcomes, and how you contribute to our shared progress.

The visiting team may request additional meetings with individuals or groups; however, please mark your calendar for the Open Session on Monday, April 7 at 3:30 p.m. in Pollak Theatre, and the Oral Summary of the Team’s Findings on Wednesday, April 9 at 9:15 a.m. in the Great Hall Auditorium.

In preparation for the visit, I encourage you to explore the resources available on our MSCHE website, including our full Self-Study Report, the Self-Study Report Summary, and a site visit guide. These materials provide helpful context and key takeaways from our community-wide effort.

Reaffirmation of accreditation is more than a compliance exercise. It is a moment to share our distinctive qualities and to demonstrate the strength of our work. The evaluation team will see what I see every day—an extraordinary community that believes deeply in our mission and demonstrates it in action.

Thank you for the vital role you play in our success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to provide an important update on the future of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Following a year-long review of all of the University’s Centers and Institutes, I have made the decision, in close collaboration with our Board of Trustees, to close the Polling Institute, effective July 1 of this year. This comprehensive review over the past year was to examine and evaluate each center of distinction relative to its impact on student engagement and outcomes, as well as each one’s alignment with the institutional priorities and goals outlined in our current strategic plan. While the Polling Institute has done excellent work, its public polling mission is no longer aligned with our current strategic goals.

I realize this is a significant change given the decades of outstanding work led by Patrick Murray, the founding director of the Institute since its inception in 2005. Patrick’s skilled analysis and media aplomb established the Monmouth University Poll as one of the top polls in the country for both accuracy and transparency, including a top-five ranking from the poll analysis website FiveThirtyEight. At its height, the Institute played a prominent role in helping to elevate the University’s image and to amplify its reputation to households across the country.

However, the changing political and media landscapes have made it both more difficult and more expensive for polling organizations to operate. In addition, our efforts over the years to integrate the work of the Polling Institute with both the student experience and the broader academic enterprise at Monmouth University have been met with mixed results. The considerable resources required to operate the Polling Institute annually will be redeployed to other strategic initiatives at Monmouth, in particular to those activities that offer direct transformational impact on our students.

I am grateful to Patrick and his team for their decades of service to the University, and I am especially appreciative for their efforts to deliver on the Institute’s mission to foster greater public accountability by ensuring that the public’s voice was heard.

Sincerely,
Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

The senior administration and I have been closely monitoring the news coming out of our nation’s capital regarding changes to American higher education. In fact, I spent much of this past week in Washington, DC, attending the national meeting of the American Council on Education – our sector’s leading advocacy organization – at which there was much discussion about the potential effects of these orders. It is safe to say that much uncertainty and confusion surrounds them. We are still not sure how these will play out in the days and months to come, either around the country or here at Monmouth. Patience right now is a virtue.   

In the meantime, I assure you that our values as an institution remain steadfast. I encourage the members of the Monmouth University community to keep doing what we always strive to do – that is, to create an environment where all of our members feel welcome and supported, a place where our differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. 

We will continue to watch the directives coming out of Washington, especially as they play out in the courts and intersect with long-standing state protections, and I will keep the University community informed of any necessary changes to our policies and/or practices. Remember: here at Monmouth, hawks fly together!

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Today, as we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day, we are called to reflect on the important intersection of history and progress. This moment reminds us of Dr. King’s enduring vision of a just and united society—a vision that challenges us to recognize our shared humanity and to confront the barriers that divide us.

Dr. King’s 1966 visit to Monmouth still echoes in our community, particularly his assertion: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. […] No racial group is an island entire of itself. We are all tied together, and when there is injustice, in any race, it diminishes all people in this country.” These words remind us that our destinies are interconnected, and the pursuit of equity, dignity, and freedom for all is a collective endeavor.

As we navigate a time of political change and continued social challenges, let us recommit ourselves to Dr. King’s ideals of courage, empathy, and action. At Monmouth, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to advancing social mobility, diversity, and academic excellence. At the heart of our mission is honoring the intrinsic worth of every individual, and building a legacy of understanding and mutual respect through education.

May this day inspire us to continue to engage thoughtfully with one another, to listen with open minds, and to take meaningful steps toward creating the “beautiful symphony of brotherhood” that Dr. King envisioned.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and relaxing break for each of you. As we begin a new year, I wanted to write and thank you for the many ways in which you have supported Monmouth University over the past twelve months. Together, we achieved extraordinary progress in 2024, and I anticipate that 2025 will be even more exceptional as we continue to collectively support our students and their Monmouth experience.

This past year, we continued to rise as a leader at integrating excellence and access. We earned our highest-ever ranking in U.S. News & World Report and were recognized for our leadership in social mobility—affirming our mission to provide transformative opportunities to deserving students of all backgrounds. We also welcomed one of the most talented and diverse incoming classes in our history, further strengthening our vibrant learning community.

Across campus, the Monmouth spirit was on full display. Our students distinguished themselves—through award-winning initiatives like the Hawk Capital Fund, the achievements of the Debate Hawks and Model UN, working collaboratively with the faculty to develop patents, beating numerous nationally-ranked sports teams, and the inspiring volunteerism of The Big Event. Our faculty continued to earn recognition for impactful scholarship and global collaborations, advancing our reputation for academic excellence.

We also celebrated milestones that will shape Monmouth’s future, including breaking ground on the new home for the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music—a project that will enhance our national profile and expand academic opportunities. At the same time, enhancements to Nagy Common and the Rebecca Stafford Student Center are fostering the connections and collaboration that drive our success.

Looking ahead, the future is bright. A month ago, we proudly launched the largest fundraising campaign in Monmouth’s history—Excellence. Access. Ambition.—with a bold goal of $175 million. This campaign will accelerate our vision to elevate academic excellence, expand access to education, and strengthen spaces and resources on campus, including the new Student Wellness Center and Campus Gateway.

Thank you for everything you do to support our students. I look forward to celebrating all the milestones and opportunities that await us.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and inspiring new year.

Sincerely,

Pat