Welcome Alums!
In April 1855, Newark Normal School, today's Kean University, was created. The first class consisted of 85 women who were going to be trained as teachers for the Newark School System. Two years later, in 1857, they graduated and became the first alumni of Kean University.
Today, there are over 66,000 active Kean University alumni located in all 50 states and in dozens of countries around the world. Our proud heritage in education continues as Kean still graduates more teachers than any other school in the state, but we also graduate students in over 50 undergraduate programs, 30 graduate programs, and a doctoral program. Further, the amazing ongoing expansion and beautification of our campus is absolutely breathtaking, and due in large part to contributions made by our alums.
Kean is proud to be the most diverse and third largest university in New Jersey. Its mission to provide a quality education for the students in our community; and to maintain the lowest tuition of all of the schools in the state has remained successful, even throughout the existing budget crisis. To give you some perspective on how drastic the cuts are, consider that in 1995, Kean University received 58 cents of every dollar in revenue from the state. Today only 22 cents of every dollar in revenue comes from the state of New Jersey.
We have been recipients of a prestigious education. As alumni, we have the responsibility to ensure that the degree we’ve received retains its value and relevance for subsequent generations of Kean students. Kean alumni can help ensure the University continues to achieve its goals by staying involved. I urge you to return to campus, speak to student groups and provide career insight, help mentor a student, attend a sporting event and cheer our coaches and students, enjoy a concert or a play, use the library or visit the current students, faculty and staff. Through the generosity of our alums, we can help Kean keep all of its wonderful programs in operation, we can increase scholarships to our students, and we can continue to make Kean University a focal point of the community and a university of which we all can be proud.
It is important for alums to help the Alumni Office keep our records up to date. Call our office (908-737-ALUM) to keep us informed of your accomplishments and milestones so that fellow alums can celebrate with you. Also help us keep our mailing list current so that we can be sure that you are receiving the Kean Magazine, invitations to alumni events and all other campus news.
Alumni working together, more than 66,000 strong, can make a difference in the lives of students today and the leaders of tomorrow.
Edward A. Esposito '69 '72
Alumni Association President