Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

At the 11th hour of the day, on the 11th day of the month, in the 11th month of every year our nation comes together to remember all the men and women who have safeguarded our freedoms through their service in our armed forces. We call it, of course, Veterans Day.

In this year it is perhaps particularly important that we pause to celebrate this day. In the aftermath of a long and at times contentious election cycle, Veterans Day is a day of national unity, providing an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate the sacrifices made by our fellow citizens in protecting our country.

As members of a shared university community, we should take this unique opportunity to reiterate two of our fundamental values here at Monmouth University, inspired by our rights as a nation that so many have fought to protect. First, we will continue to defend the rights of individuals to express themselves, even if their comments are deemed controversial by some. And, second, the expression of opinions on this campus must be offered in a respectful manner, recognizing, and even celebrating the diversity that is representative of Monmouth University. Together, these values—free expression and strong community—are fundamental to the mission of every American university.

So, as we celebrate our nation’s veterans and the sacrifices that they have made for us, let us reaffirm our dedication to fostering greater understanding in an environment of mutual respect here in our small part of the country.

Please join us today in Anacon Hall at 11 a.m. as we gather with the Monmouth University Student Veterans Association to recognize the contributions of military service members within our campus community, and listen as student veterans share stories from their time in service. Additionally, we will toll the bells at 11 a.m., recalling the armistice that concluded World War I. This act of remembrance symbolizes our ongoing gratitude for all veterans and their families and recognizes the sacrifices they all have made.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

As we enter the Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for all we have accomplished at Monmouth University this academic year. Our collective dedication and hard work continue to propel us to new heights, and I am so proud to serve Monmouth together with you.

This year, we achieved our highest ranking ever in U.S. News & World Report, marking an incredible rise of 13 places over five years. At the same time, our tremendous progress in social mobility metrics was further recognized by U.S. News and Washington Monthly. We also welcomed our most diverse incoming class, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant learning community.

From the groundbreaking of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music to the ribbon-cutting for Nagy Common, and from outstanding student achievement among the Hawk Capital Fund, Model UN, Debate Hawks, and fall sports teams, to impressive university-wide collaboration as part of the Middle States reaccreditation process, we have much to celebrate as a campus community this Thanksgiving season.

Amid these successes, I remain deeply grateful for our shared commitment to mutual respect, civility, and kindness. These values remain at the cornerstone of our success, ensuring that Monmouth is a supportive learning environment. Please enjoy a restful and well-deserved break, refreshed for the opportunities and achievements that lie ahead. Thank you for all that you do to make Monmouth a national leader at integrating excellence and access.

Sincerely,
Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Colleagues:

As mentioned on yesterday’s open call, I am pleased to share an important update on the Office of Human Resources. Earlier this month, Robyn Salvo left Monmouth University for another opportunity. After a successful internal search, I am delighted to announce that Kathleen (Kathy) Stein, will be stepping into this critically important role for the university, effectively immediately.

Kathy first joined the Monmouth community in 2003 as the compliance coordinator in the Office of the General Counsel. During her 21 years at Monmouth, Kathy has served as coordinator of benefits, senior benefits administrator, director of benefits, and executive director of human resources. Her progressive leadership experience at Monmouth coupled with her collaborative and compassionate approach to supporting and resolving employee issues make her an exceptional candidate for the associate vice president for human resources position.

I look forward to seeing our efforts and initiatives in human resources flourish under Kathy’s vision and leadership. Please join me in congratulating Kathy on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,

Pat

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

I am pleased to invite you to the dedication of Nagy Common—the newly refreshed patio at the Rebecca Stafford Student Center—on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. This space will honor the indelible legacy of Mary Anne Nagy ’91M ’01M, former vice president of student life and leadership engagement, who retired in June 2023 after nearly four decades of service to Monmouth University.

A two-time alumna of Monmouth (M.S. Ed, MBA), VP Nagy demonstrated her commitment to Monmouth in countless ways during her 37 years of service to the university, including her personal philanthropy.

In recognition of her impact, and thanks to a generous gift from President Emerita Rebecca Stafford ’03HN, Monmouth will dedicate the new outdoor gathering space at the Rebecca Stafford Student Center as Nagy Common next Thursday, October 16. I hope you will be able to join us for this special event.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President

Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:

As we officially begin a new academic year today, I want to warmly welcome our outstanding faculty, our dedicated staff, and our ambitious students—both those who are returning to Monmouth and those who are joining our community for the first time.

We have been busy this summer making progress on several exciting projects that will enhance the Monmouth experience for all. The installation of Nagy Common, a beautiful outdoor space for connection, is nearing completion. In addition, significant improvements to the interior of the Rebecca Stafford Student Center are well underway, ensuring that this hub of student life continues to serve as a vibrant gathering place.

We have completed the buildout of the new Monmouth University Police Department facility, including the Parking and ID Services Office, which is now located on the main campus next to the Northwest Parking Lot. This provides much improved space for our police department in its round-the-clock efforts to protect the campus.

I am also thrilled to announce that we will soon break ground on the new Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music. This state-of-the-art facility, which will be funded completely through outside donations, will celebrate the legacy of some of America’s most iconic artists, enriching our academic offerings, and further elevating Monmouth’s national—indeed international—profile.

Our incoming first-year class continues our commitment to integrating excellence and access as outlined in our current strategic plan. This class boasts the greatest diversity ever, the second highest average GPA in our school’s history at 3.62, the third highest percentage of out-of-state students, and the highest SAT scores among those who submitted test scores as part of their application. And, fully one half of our incoming students are FLI students—that is, either first-generation or low-income. These impressive achievements reflect the talent and dedication of our incoming students and the growing reputation of Monmouth University as a destination for a rigorous and supportive education.

In this new academic year, I also want to emphasize the importance of fostering a community where diverse perspectives and respectful dialogue are valued. Our strength lies in our ability to listen to and learn from one another. As such, I encourage each of you to approach every interaction with an open mind and a commitment to understanding.

I am confident that this will be another successful year, filled with great achievements for our students, faculty, and staff. Welcome back!

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President