“We now have profound internal disagreement about what American democracy should look like. Now, put aside the personalities, the politics, and the incessant noise that we’re surrounded by these days, and you will see big questions regarding the vision we have for this great country that will be answered through our collective actions. I want to be clear, this is not the first time we have engaged such big questions, and it’s not the last. Over the course of our history, we’ve reached different conclusions, but now it is our turn to speak up, and those privileges and obligations that we just spoke about, those are real. The people invested in Montclair State University, so all of you would be ready to step up and participate in this conversation. That’s not a choice; that is our obligation, given what has been invested in us.”
See more from the 2025 Montclair State University Commencement.
Montclair State University Commencement was one of seventy campuses participating in From Campus to Community a new national campaign to champion civil discourse and democratic engagement in this year’s commencement season. More from President Jonathan Koppell.
Back to the Map
