Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. A quarter century has passed since the shock and horror of that September morning. Long enough that, according to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 100 million Americans are too young to remember the day.

That fact carries a particular meaning on our campus: for the first time, every traditional-age student in our community was born after the attacks, learning about the event rather than living it. For some of us, September 11 remains very personal. We remember exactly where we were, and how we felt. Others still grieve friends and loved ones they lost.

However we come to this day, we live together in a nation forever changed by the attacks. We honor the 2,977 individuals who died in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the countless acts of courage that rose to meet that challenge. We remember the first responders who climbed as others descended, the passengers who acted so that strangers might live, and the many who, in the days that followed, refused to let one another grieve alone.

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 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.		United Airlines Flight 175 strikes the South Tower.
9:37 a.m.		American Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon.
10:03 a.m.		United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after the heroic actions of its passengers and crew.

I also encourage members of our community to visit the 9/11 memorial between Edison Science Hall and Nagy Common. Built with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center, it is something you can touch, something you can feel, and something that can connect you to our shared national tragedy, even if you only watched it on TV, or learned about it in a classroom.

We will plant American flags around the memorial between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m., we will screen a short documentary, “Monmouth County 9/11 and Its Aftermath,” produced by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office in partnership with the Monmouth County Historical Association. The screening will take place in the Great Hall Auditorium.

The work of carrying the memory of 9/11 forward now falls, in part, to a generation who must be taught what it is impossible for them to recall. This is the charge of history and of education. It is a responsibility this University is proud to accept. Through our collective remembrance, may we ensure that the lessons and legacies of September 11 endure — not only for those who witnessed that day, but for all who will come after. May we never forget.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As we begin today a new academic year, I want to take this opportunity to share my excitement for all that lies ahead. To our returning students, faculty, and staff, welcome back! If you are joining our community for the first time, I hope you are already beginning to feel at home. We begin the year at a remarkable moment in Monmouth’s history, with considerable momentum behind us and even more opportunity ahead.

Much has happened since we concluded the spring semester. This past June, the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music opened on Monmouth’s campus to rave reviews, underscoring our deep and abiding commitment to the arts. To that end, I am pleased to share that anyone with a Monmouth University ID can enjoy free admission to the Center during the academic year. Visitors to the Center may schedule a timed entry by registering here in advance of your visit, or reserve tickets at the admissions kiosk the day of your visit. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit this impressive new building in the coming months.

We also successfully concluded Excellence. Access. Ambition. The Campaign for Monmouth University, raising $190 million and surpassing our ambitious $175 million goal. The generosity behind this historic effort has strengthened nearly every part of the University, from scholarships and academic programs to facilities and student experiences. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this campaign such an extraordinary success.

Our growing national reputation continues to reflect that progress. This summer, The Princeton Review once again named Monmouth among the nation’s best colleges, continuing a distinction the University has earned for more than two decades. Money magazine also recognized Monmouth among its Best Colleges in America for the 12th consecutive year. And very soon, we will learn where Monmouth debuts in the National Universities category of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. This is the first time that we will be ranked in this nationwide category, placing us on a list of the finest universities in the nation, another important milestone in our continued evolution from a junior college that opened its doors in the midst of the Great Depression to a national university with a research designation.

There is plenty to look forward to this fall as well. Our fall athletic teams have already begun competition, with multiple teams ranked nationally in their respective sports. And, at this past weekend’s football home opener, we also celebrated the remarkable legacy of Kevin Callahan, our founding head football coach, by naming the field at Kessler Stadium in his honor. It was a fitting tribute to a coach and colleague whose impact will endure for many years to come.

We also begin this year with a new strategic plan that will guide the next phase of Monmouth’s progress. Building on the accomplishments of Excellence. Access. Ambition., it will help us continue strengthening the academic experience, expanding opportunity for our students, and advancing Monmouth’s growing national profile.

Monmouth continues to move forward because of the talent, ambition, and commitment of our students, faculty, and staff. I am grateful to have all of you here, and I look forward to seeing what we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Welcome back, Hawks!

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of one of our students, Scott Timothy Sanczyk. Scott was in his first semester as a business major at Monmouth University following his transfer from Lafayette College. He died on Saturday, March 28, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

The University grieves the tragic and untimely loss of a member of our community and extends its deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow students at this most difficult time. Flags on campus have been lowered in Scott’s honor.

As the Monmouth University family mourns Scott’s passing, support services are available for students, faculty, and staff through Counseling and Prevention Services at 732-571-7517 or the Office of Student Life at 732-571-3417. Students can also utilize Uwill services—our mental telehealth provider offering night and weekend support—for free and confidential teletherapy at 833-646-1526.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember Scott’s life on April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, 2 Miller Road, Kinnelon, New Jersey.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Office of Student Life. And, please take a moment today, in your own way, to think of Scott, his family, and his friends.

Thank you.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that President Emeritus Grey J. Dimenna passed away on March 26 following a motorcycle accident.

Grey devoted decades of service to Monmouth University, first as our inaugural general counsel, and later as the University’s ninth president. He brought to both roles a steady hand, sound judgment, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives.

He cared deeply about our students. During his time as vice president and general counsel, Grey mentored scores of student interns in his office, guiding many to successful careers in law. That same dedication to student outcomes guided his leadership as president. He approached decisions with a consistent focus on student welfare, placing student success at the center of our work.

Grey often described Monmouth as a family, and he led in a way that made that sentiment real. He built lasting relationships across campus, and took pride in the accomplishments of his colleagues. Following his second retirement, he remained personally invested in the life of this University, and continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music. Those who knew him will also remember his sense of humor and the pride he took in being, as he would say, the “funniest man on campus.”

On behalf of the University, I extend my deepest condolences to Grey’s wife, Nancy, their family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him. We will share information regarding memorial arrangements and the wishes of his family as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As our nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it is an opportunity for us to remember Dr. King’s visit to our campus on Oct. 6, 1966, and to reflect on his challenge to our community and our nation “to unite to make justice a reality.”

He spoke here at a time when civil rights activists were being intimidated, beaten, and even killed. While some members of the crowd hissed and booed openly, King’s optimism enthralled his audience, leaving a profound impression on those who heard his message. King invoked a vision of mutual destinies bound together, and a faith that “we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”

As we prepare to return to our classrooms tomorrow, I hope you will carry with you Dr. King’s acknowledgement “that we are tied in a single garment of destiny,” and “that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals.”

To that end, I hope you will join us for the 8th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Lecture in Social Justice event on Jan. 30. The President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion will host former NFL player and thought leader, Wade Davis. More details about the virtual event are available online.

I am grateful for the persistent work of our dedicated students and colleagues and the intentional efforts across our campus to foster a truly welcoming and inclusive community.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

2025 may be coming to a close, but we are just getting started…
Thank you for your support throughout this calendar year.

Let’s celebrate our progress, close the year with gratitude, and look towards all that we are bringing to 2026.

Wishing you a restful break and a Happy New Year!

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

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.
9:37 a.m.  │ Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon.
10:03 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