Dear Colleagues:  

I write today with important information on two significant administrative changes here at Monmouth. Effective June 30, 2023, Bill Craig, vice president for finance, and Jeff Stapleton, director of athletics, will be retiring after long and influential careers at Monmouth. While I am reluctant for these colleagues to depart in June after a collective 75 years of service to the University, I am delighted for them to reap the benefits and enjoyments of a well-earned retirement.

William “Bill” Craig joined Monmouth as controller in 1981 and was promoted to vice president for finance in 1988. In this capacity, he has led the Division of Finance, which includes the accounting, investment and treasury functions of the University including budgets, grants fiscal management, the mailroom, the University Store, the Central Box Office, the Digital Print Center, and the Office of Purchasing. Bill is also the administrative liaison to the Audit, Finance and Budgets, and Investment committees of the Board of Trustees. In a 2021 report by “The Record” on the fiscal viability of private colleges and universities in New Jersey, Monmouth ranked second only to Princeton in financial strength. This acknowledgment represents the culmination of more than four decades of careful financial stewardship. During his tenure, Monmouth grew from a college to a university that today offers 33 bachelor’s, 24 master’s, and four doctoral programs, and is the fifth largest employer in Monmouth County. Guided by Bill’s financial acumen, the University has completed nearly $300 million in new construction under his watch, and today, as he retires, the University has virtually no debt, an accomplishment recently touted in Inside Higher Ed.

Jeff Stapleton has been an active and integral part of the success and advancement of the Monmouth University Department of Athletics for the last 33 years, most recently as the University’s seventh director of Athletics. In that role, he led Monmouth’s transition into the Colonial Athletic Association, and stewarded the addition of women’s rowing to Monmouth’s athletic programs. His leadership of the department follows a tenure of 31 years as deputy director of Athletics, where one of his key responsibilities was overseeing the development and construction of some of the top fields and facilities in mid-major Division I athletics. Over the past 20 years Jeff has been a key figure in the construction of the $57 million OceanFirst Bank Center, the $16 million Kessler Stadium and renovations to all of Monmouth’s athletic facilities, including renovations to the varsity weight room, the field hockey facility, Boylan Gymnasium and the eight-lane outdoor track. And, the new Student Wellness Center, on which we hope to break ground in 2024, is possible due to Jeff’s leadership.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside Bill and Jeff during my time as president at Monmouth. They are exceptional administrators whose commitment to our University cannot be overstated, and whose contributions to our financial strength and athletic success will endure.

I look forward to celebrating their dedication to Monmouth at our Awards and Recognition ceremony this morning, and in other special ways throughout the coming month. I will share our plans for filling these significant positions in the very near future. Please join me in thanking Bill and Jeff for the lasting mark that each has made at Monmouth University.  

Thank you.  

Pat  

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

We are looking forward to celebrating our 2023 spring commencement ceremonies later this week. We will again be honoring our undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students with distinct events, and for the second year, fostering a new tradition with an all-undergraduate class gathering held the day before degree conferral. This event will provide a special opportunity for the undergraduates in the Class of 2023 to celebrate their collective achievements in the company of their closest friends and classmates. All ceremonies this week will be held in the Dr. Marilyn A. McNeil Arena of the OceanFirst Bank Center.

The graduate and doctoral commencement ceremony is on Wednesday, May 10 at 10 a.m., followed by the all-undergraduate class gathering at 4 p.m. Three additional school based degree conferral ceremonies will occur the next day, Thursday, May 11. The ceremony for graduates of the Leon Hess Business School will be at 10 a.m., the ceremony for graduates of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences at 1 p.m., and the ceremony for graduates of the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Social Work, School of Education, and School of Science at 4 p.m. For additional details, including livestream links of each ceremony, visit monmouth.edu/commencement.

Linda Deutsch ˈ65, acclaimed journalist with the Associated Press who covered court cases for 50 years, earning the extraordinary distinction of AP Special Correspondent—a title shared by only 18 reporters since the news cooperative was founded in 1846—will deliver a commencement address at both ceremonies, and will receive an honorary degree at the all undergraduate class gathering.

If you have any questions about our commencement activities, please do not hesitate to contact Vice President Mary Anne Nagy, the chair of the Commencement Planning Committee, at 732-571-3417.

I hope you share my excitement at welcoming our special guest and honoring our graduates in the days ahead. It gives me special pride to host these in person events on our beautiful campus, which has served as a second home to our graduates for the past several years. Please keep our graduates and their families in your thoughts as we prepare for this year’s commencement exercises.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our campus community safe, the University recently conducted a review and analysis of the actions taken during our shelter-in-place event on March 22-23, 2023. I realize how unsettling the events of that evening and early morning must have been for our students, families, and employees. As we strive for continuous improvement, we identified a number of action steps to implement in order to further optimize campus safety.

A key theme that emerged across constituent groups was a need to improve communication, both in process and channels. Our review identified a number of concrete steps our community can take collectively and individually to improve timely and critical dissemination of information:

• Emergency Notification System. The University utilizes an emergency notification system to provide the campus community with timely notifications for events such as closings, delayed openings, power outages, and conditions that warrant specific action be taken such as shelter-in-place or immediate evacuation. Moving forward, all students and employees will be automatically enrolled in the Emergency Notification System upon enrollment or employment with their University email, and all cell phone numbers available in our system will be added. University community members will not be able to opt out of the receipt of the email communications at a minimum. The University is also evaluating including emergency contact information provided by students and employees in the system.
• Family Communication. The University will establish an opt-in list for all parents and families so that we may deliver timely communications updates. Students will be able to register parents for the opt-in list at any point while they are actively enrolled at Monmouth. During shelter-in-place or lockdown events, the University will identify a designated reunification location for parents/friends/family members early in the crisis and communicate that location frequently.
• Communication Frequency. In addition to sharing new information or instructions as needed, ongoing updates will be shared a minimum of every 60 minutes during shelter-in-place events, lockdowns, or other active emergency events.
• Media Communication. The University will identify a designated location for members of the media.
• Alternate Forms of Communication. With the guidance of an outside consultant, explore alternate methods of audio communication (e.g., PA system, siren system, etc.) throughout campus in the event technology or power is down.

The University is also committed to ensuring optimal staffing, resources, and mutual aid coordination, both in emergent situations and daily operations, and we have identified the following action steps:

• Staffing Levels. The University will continue to assess and evaluate the number of police, dispatcher, and civilian personnel to support safety and security efforts on campus, including a review of the call-back (emergency return to campus) program for police, safety officers, and other civilian personnel.
• Outside Evaluation. The University will engage an outside consultant to conduct a threat assessment and risk analysis for those areas beyond the scope of the Monmouth University Police Department (MUPD).
• Dedicated Emergency Communication Channels. The University has installed additional dedicated phone lines for the exclusive use by emergency response personnel.
• Mutual Aid Coordination. The University will update its protocol with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department Office of Emergency Management to coordinate the check-in location for outside agencies providing mutual aid. The University will also evaluate ways to enhance communication among multiple responding agencies.

A key component to successful emergency response is preparedness and our review concluded the need for more training for our campus community that will enhance response, and inform and manage expectations in emergency situations. Specifically, we have committed to the following:

• Police Trainings. The University will increase active shooter training for all MUPD staff, including participation in active shooter partnership planning with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and participation in FBI communications training.
• Student Trainings. The University will provide active shooter training to all students to help them better understand what happens and what to expect when a shelter-in-place order is activated.
• Employee Trainings. The University will offer active shooter training, including building-specific drills, to all employees during onboarding for new hires and as part of ongoing employee training.

The University will, of course, continue to assess and identify opportunities for improvement to campus safety, but I felt it was important to specify some of our action steps for you at this juncture. Thank you all for your partnership and collaboration in keeping our campus safe. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at president@monmouth.edu.

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, Temitayo Olufemi Sunday Ali, who was known affectionately on campus as “Tayo”.

Tayo was a fourth year student expecting to complete his degree at the end of the fall 2023 semester. He died early Saturday morning, April 15, 2023, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near his home in Egg Harbor Township.

I know you will join me in extending our deepest sympathies to Tayo’s family, friends, and Tau Delta Phi fraternity brothers at this most difficult time. Flags on campus have been lowered in Tayo’s memory.

As the Monmouth University family grieves Tayo’s passing, support services are available through Counseling and Prevention Services at 732-571-7517 or the Office of Student Life at 732-571-3417. Information regarding services for Tayo are not available at this time.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Office of Student Life.

Please take a moment today, in your own way, to think of Tayo and his family.

Thank you.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Colleagues:

As mentioned on today’s open call, an anonymous donor has committed $21 million to Monmouth in support of high-achieving students facing financial hardship. This tremendous scholarship gift – the largest in the University’s history – will help recruit and retain deserving students with financial need, changing the life trajectory of scholarship recipients for generations to come.

This gift is wonderfully emblematic of our University’s enduring commitment to educational access, and I am incredibly grateful to the donor for their endorsement of our mission. Please see the below press release to learn more about this transformational gift.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Monmouth University Announces Largest Gift in Its History

Outright gift of $21 million will expand educational access.

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (March 27, 2023) – Monmouth University is pleased to announce the largest single gift in its 90-year history, an outright gift of $21 million from a donor who has chosen to remain anonymous. The gift will establish a new scholarship program that will aid undergraduate students who meet specific academic and financial criteria by helping provide access to a private university education that would otherwise be financially challenging or unattainable for them.

“This transformational gift is a true game-changer for our students,” said Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy. “Promoting and supporting social mobility is one of the most important things we can do in higher education, and this commitment is squarely aligned with Monmouth University’s ambition to integrate academic excellence and educational access like no other university in our category. We are extremely grateful that our generous benefactor shares this commitment.”

According to Amanda Klaus, vice president for University Advancement, the gift will be structured with $20 million dollars invested in a perpetual endowment, and $1 million deployed for immediate scholarship use—all with the intention of supporting academically high achieving students at the greatest financial risk.

“This historic gift will have an immediate impact at Monmouth University,” said Klaus, who is an alumna of Monmouth. “But its true benefit will be demonstrated when we see deserving students graduate and succeed in careers of their choice that will help provide them with long-term financial security, allowing them to transform their lifelong personal and financial trajectories. This is the real power of education and I hope this lead gift will inspire others to support scholarships.”

Leahy emphasized the short-term and long-term benefits of the scholarship funds: “This gift will allow our students to unleash their potential immediately, and just as importantly, it creates the possibility for generational impact through social and economic mobility,” he said.

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Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

At 9:15 p.m. on March 22, 2023, the Monmouth University Police Department received a call with a report of a person with a possible weapon on campus in the area of Magill Commons. Upon investigation, additional reports of shots fired were unfounded.

Police were dispatched to the area and the campus was immediately alerted to shelter in place. Multiple law enforcement agencies were called in to assist in searching and securing the campus, including the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Long Branch, Ocean Township, and West Long Branch police departments.

Detectives were able to utilize video footage and other technology based on the description provided and identified a person of interest, a currently enrolled student. Based on interviews with that person, law enforcement personnel were able to determine that the person was in possession of a curling iron that was mistaken for a weapon. Based on this update to the investigation, the University lifted the shelter-in-place order at 1:40 a.m. on March 23.

All of us are thankful that this situation was resolved successfully and without incident, and we appreciate the support and cooperation we received from our students and staff who adhered to the shelter-in-place restriction. On behalf of the University, I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of the responding law enforcement agencies who assisted in our investigation.

In acknowledgment of the impact of this situation on the community, the University will have a delayed opening for offices at noon on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Classes with start times at-or-after 12 noon will meet as scheduled.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

It is with great sadness that I write to share news of the passing of trustee emeritus and former Board Chair Paul S. Doherty, Jr. a beloved alumnus of the Class of 1967. His contributions to the University were immeasurable, and his unwavering dedication to its success will be deeply missed.

As a Board Chair, Paul helmed the successful Vision for Distinction fundraising campaign. Along with his wife, Diane, he established the Doherty Family Endowed Scholarship, and provided vital support for the president’s residence on campus, Doherty House, which is named in their honor. In recognition of his many contributions to the University, Paul was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2004 and was elected a Life Trustee the same year.

As a student, Paul was deeply involved in campus life, serving as a class officer, a member of the Phi Delta Sigma fraternity, and a passionate athlete who participated in intramural sports. Later, as an active alumnus, he was instrumental in bringing football to Monmouth’s campus as a charter member of The Touchdown Club, for which he was inducted into the Monmouth Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

Paul and Diane later contributed generously to the construction of the OceanFirst Bank Center and Kessler Stadium, which is home to The Doherty Family Deck on the second floor. We are fortunate that Paul’s enormously successful business career was matched by his passionate connection with Monmouth University, and we are grateful for all that he has done to support the University and its mission.

As a tribute to Paul’s life and his lasting legacy on our university community, the Monmouth University flag will be flown at half-staff.

We extend our deepest condolences to Diane, the Doherty family, his alumni community, friends, and all those who knew Paul. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the many ways he helped to shape Monmouth University.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy

President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

I am writing with an update to the University’s policy regarding the University’s COVID-19 vaccination protocol.

Effective with the start of the Summer 2023 semester, which begins on May 15, we will no longer require that all members of the community get the COVID-19 vaccine primary series or bivalent booster. Students and faculty engaged in clinical/field work or other experiential learning are required to follow each clinical or field site’s policies, which may include proof of full vaccination.

We continue to highly recommend that all members of the community get the COVID-19 vaccine primary series as well as the bivalent booster as recommended by the CDC. We also encourage all students and employees to continue to inform the University of their COVID-19 vaccination status on the health portal to ensure that the University can respond appropriately to any outbreak situation on campus, consistent with prevailing CDC guidelines.

Please note, if the CDC and/or New Jersey Department of Health guidelines change, the University will revisit this policy and may change its requirements.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work to keep our campus healthy and safe. If you have specific questions about our COVID-19 protocols, please contact Health Services at health@monmouth.edu.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

We awoke this morning to the tragic news of another shooting on a college campus—this time, at Michigan State University. The entire Monmouth University community extends its deepest condolences to those affected—directly and indirectly—by this senseless act of violence.

It is at times like these that I am especially grateful for the round-the-clock protection of our Monmouth University Police Department. While there is no known or immediate threat, today and in the coming days, our police have heightened vigilance in an effort to keep our campus as safe as possible.

The safety of our community depends on each of us looking out for one another. Please know that there are resources and services available through Counseling and Prevention Services to any member of our community who seeks them.

We wish our higher education colleagues in East Lansing, Michigan peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

I write today with an important administrative update. Effective June 30, 2023, Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President of Student Life and Leadership Engagement, will be retiring from Monmouth after an impressive and impactful career at the University. While I know VP Nagy will be deeply missed by the entire university community—staff, students, alumni, and trustees alike—I am delighted for her to enjoy the rewards of a well-earned retirement.

VP Nagy has dedicated nearly her entire professional career to the advancement of Monmouth University. She first joined Monmouth’s program services department in 1986 and, after a series of promotions, was elevated to her current position as vice president in 1994. Her responsibilities today include overseeing the areas of campus safety, conference and event services, counseling and prevention services, crisis management, fraternity and sorority life, health services, judicial affairs, off campus and commuter services, residential life, student engagement and student center operations, transitions and leadership programs, and student support and veteran services.

Twice in her career, VP Nagy took on the role of interim vice president for advancement for one-year terms, overseeing the areas of advancement services, alumni engagement and annual giving, development, and stewardship and donor relations. Since 1991, she has managed the university’s commencement programs—both on and off-campus—for all of our graduating students and their families. And, her tireless leadership of the crisis management team has been critical in helping the Monmouth community navigate the uncharted territory of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A two-time alumna of Monmouth (M.S. Ed, MBA), VP Nagy has demonstrated her commitment to Monmouth in countless ways during her 37 years of service to the university. She has been a steady and thoughtful leader on this campus for nearly four decades, and her many contributions to Monmouth will be felt for generations to come. We will have ample opportunity to celebrate her dedication to Monmouth before June 30, but I wanted to share this news now, in order to best plan for this transition. I will take some time to converse with campus constituents in the coming weeks to determine the best way to fill this large void. I will continue to share updates with the university community as they become available. For now, please join me in thanking VP Nagy for the incredible impact she has made on Monmouth University.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President