Students and faculty of the Ramapo community gathered in Friends Hall on March 12 for President Cindy Jebb’s annual spring State of the College Address.
Jebb started her address by playing the opening rock climbing scene of “Mission: Impossible 2” featuring Tom Cruise dangling off of the side of a cliff.
“We have a mission, and we get to choose to accept it,” Jebb said. “Let us all be, not just proud, but confident as members of a community dedicated to collaborative excellence, we are on the ascent.”
Jebb began her address by announcing the largest gift in Ramapo College history: a $4 million donation from friends of Ramapo College Susan and Nick Vallario.
“This phenomenal gift honors the public good we provide as the state’s designated public liberal arts college,” said Jebb. “It is emblematic of how our humanity is intertwined with the humanity of others.”
Jebb continued by saying that the gift will aid the college in its mission towards “national distinction.” An email was sent by the Office of the President to the Ramapo College community on March 12 after Jebb’s address listing how the donation will be used to support the college.
A portion of the gift will be used to help attract New Jersey students with new presidential scholarships. A second portion of the gift will address student well-being through the We Care Program. The final portion of the donation will be used to support Ramapo’s digital innovation, exploring emerging technologies in higher education.
“These are complex endeavors, and we will address them using the same approach our faculty deploy in the classroom,” said Jebb. “Doing so enables us to create the conditions for student-centered solutions and to be known in our surrounding community as an innovative resource for problem solving across all sectors.”
Following the announcement, Jebb recognized student Daniel Rajakumar for his part in organizing the interfaith event Faith & Chai — an event that brought together 11 campus clubs and organizations.
The Office of the President sent out an email to the Ramapo community on Feb. 25, noting that Faith & Chai was hosted by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship along with the International Student Organization and Muslim Student Association.
Jebb then brought student Gabriela Contla to the stage. Contla has served as a peer facilitator, orientation leader and is a peer advisor. Contla was recognized for attending the annual conference of the National Orientation Directors Association and was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award.
Jebb continued her address by acknowledging the achievements of Ramapo’s athletics program, including members of the men and women’s track team. She continued by recognizing the entire men’s basketball team, along with the team’s coach and trainers.
Next, Jebb invited Christiane Ezgilioglu to the stage for receiving a scholarship from the Armenian Youth Federation. She then invited Professor Shaziela Ishak for her class to be recognized for winning the Stanley Weiss award in Experimental Psychology given by the Eastern Psychology Association.
“We’re going to continue to build on the achievements from a position of strength through the positive momentum behind us, propelling us forward,” said Jebb. “We know who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going, guided by our values.”
Continuing with her address, Jebb acknowledged the fluctuating federal directives affecting higher education, “You have heard me in other forums state that we are going to set our own pace and hold steadfast to who we are, focused on our mission, our vision, our values and one another,” said the President.
She assured that the College will continue to monitor the executive orders and federal and state actions. Jebb also touched on the funding reduction by the state of New Jersey with a hopeful outlook.
“Our work is forging a campus that is welcoming to all, rich with diversity and multiculturalism, and home to inclusive and equitable programs and practices which will continue,” said Jebb. “We will continue to press on with our current priorities for enrollment, strategic partnerships, talent management and culture.”
Jebb closed by emphasizing that we are in a position of strength and that our mission is to create opportunities for members of the Ramapo community.
“This is the time to lean into building trust-based relationships,” said Jebb. “As a public college, I will continue to fight for our… higher ed ecosystem.”
jhammer@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Jessica Hammer
