CUNY Appoints New Presidents

Berenecea Johnson Eanes

Having worked as interim president there since last fall,Berenecea Johnson Eanes was appointed president of York College of the City University of New York

York College, located in Jamaica, Queens, enrolls nearly 8,500 undergraduate students, according to the latest data supplied to the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 38 percent of the student body.

Dr. Eanes has previously served as vice president for the Division of Student Affairs at California State University, Fullerton and had been on the staff at Cal State Fullerton for seven years.

Dr. Eanes is a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans. She earned a master’s degree at Boston University and a Ph.D. in social work at Clark Atlanta University.

Anthony E. Munroe

Effective October 1, 2020 Anthony E. Munroe joins Borough of Manhattan Community College as president.

Since 2017, Dr. Munroe has been president of Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey. He was previously president of Malcolm X College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago system.

Borough of Manhattan Community College is the largest in the CUNY system with more than 25,000 students, according to the latest U.S. Department of Education statistics. African Americans make up 27 percent of the student body.

Dr. Munroe is a graduate of Regents College of New York. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and earned an MA in public health and a Ph.D in health education from Columbia University in New York.

The City University of New York is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has 25 colleges spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving 275,000 degree-seeking students of all ages and awarding 55,000 degrees each year. More than 80 percent of the University’s graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the city’s workforce in every sector. The University’s historic mission continues to this day: provide a public first-rate education to all students, regardless of means or background.

COVID-19 Didn’t Stop an Edison Job Corps Graduate From His Career Goals

Emmanuel Tolentino enrolled at the Edison Job Corps Center in February 2019. His goals were to complete a vocational trade, obtain his GED, and graduate with a great job. Emmanuel’s first career technical training choice was HVAC. Within a few months, he obtained his high school diploma and was off and running in HVAC. Within nine months, Emmanuel was awarded his HVAC trade completion certificate. He then attended a career transition readiness course where he worked on multiple job-readiness assignments, financial literacy, and resume writing. Edison career transition services staff met with Emmanuel on multiple occasions to conduct mock interviews and address any pending barriers to employment. He was ready for a new job! Then, the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. Like all Job Corps students, Emmanuel was sent home for break; however, he continued to interact with the center via distance learning and completed assigned tasks. Emmanuel expressed interest in participating in an online solar panel installation training that was being offered by one of the center’s employer-partners: Solar Landscape, a leading New Jersey developer, designer, installer and owner of commercial and community solar projects. Emmanuel was committed to the virtual training in the midst of the pandemic because he wanted to better himself. After successfully completing this training, Emmanuel was offered temporary employment. Hiring managers at Solar Landscape were very impressed with Emmanuel and decided to offer him a permanent position making $63/hour! Emmanuel was thrilled.

New President at Rutgers Jonathan Holloway’s Historic Arrival

By R.L. Witter

He’s the son of a teacher and a military man. Respect, discipline, order, and the Zion AME church were big parts of his childhood. “We learned the value of sharing, we learned the value of respecting people, of being decent. I learned the value of presuming the best in people and hoping not to be disappointed,” Jonathan Holloway said from his New Jersey home of less than one month. His selection as the new president of Rutgers University was announced in January 2020, before COVID-19 hit the United States and for many the world began to seemingly stand still. “We thought it would be two weeks or so,” Holloway recalls. But that quickly changed. “Our March visit was cancelled; then April and May.” His arrival was delayed until the last week of June and on July 1 he found himself thinking, “I’m now in charge of a 100,000-person community having spent six hours on the campus.” Then he asked himself, “So is this how New Jersey usually is? I don’t know how people spend their time in New Jersey.”

Always the First Raised in Maryland, Holloway comes to Rutgers by way of Northwestern University. He was provost there, and dean of Yale College at Yale University prior to that. He was the first African American to hold each of these positions, and is the first Black president of Rutgers University. “It weighs on me, it affects the way I’ll be a leader here,” he explained. “Certainly, we take this present moment when this country might finally be reckoning with its own practices with regard to race and inequality, I recognize I have a certain set of information and orientation that could be of service to the University.” As an historian and former history professor, the magnitude of his accomplishments are not lost on him. “I do know though, the expectations are going to be unreal. First at Yale, first at Northwestern. I’m not looking to leave Rutgers at all, but if

there is anything for me after Rutgers, the odds are extremethere is anything for me after Rutgers, the odds are extremethere is anything for me after Rutgers, the odds are extremely high I’ll be the first Black person to hold that position.” ly high I’ll be the first Black person to hold that position.” ly high I’ll be the first Black person to hold that position.” He continued, “I just find it sad that there’s been such a sysHe continued, “I just find it sad that there’s been such a sysHe continued, “I just find it sad that there’s been such a systemic commitment to not believing the human potential of temic commitment to not believing the human potential of temic commitment to not believing the human potential of Black and brown people in this country that these things are Black and brown people in this country that these things are Black and brown people in this country that these things are still firsts. Rutgers existed for 254 years and while I’m quite still firsts. Rutgers existed for 254 years and while I’m quite still firsts. Rutgers existed for 254 years and while I’m quite proud of being the first African American president to hold proud of being the first African American president to hold proud of being the first African American president to hold the position, it also reflects a commitment—sometimes conthe position, it also reflects a commitment—sometimes conthe position, it also reflects a commitment—sometimes conscious, other times not conscious at all—that they could not scious, other times not conscious at all—that they could not scious, other times not conscious at all—that they could not find someone until this moment who they deemed ready to find someone until this moment who they deemed ready to find someone until this moment who they deemed ready to run the University. I think I’m pretty good at what I do; I’m run the University. I think I’m pretty good at what I do; I’m run the University. I think I’m pretty good at what I do; I’m not that good. It’s a damning statement about our larger sonot that good. It’s a damning statement about our larger sonot that good. It’s a damning statement about our larger society that we’re still in the era of firsts in my lifetime.” ciety that we’re still in the era of firsts in my lifetime.” ciety that we’re still in the era of firsts in my lifetime.”

The Why of Rutgers The Why of RutgersThe Why of Rutgers Holloway didn’t waste any time in diving right in at Rutgers. Holloway didn’t waste any time in diving right in at Rutgers. Holloway didn’t waste any time in diving right in at Rutgers. On his first day, he announced he would take a 10 percent On his first day, he announced he would take a 10 percent On his first day, he announced he would take a 10 percent pay cut and a made a considerable donation to the Scarlet pay cut and a made a considerable donation to the Scarlet pay cut and a made a considerable donation to the Scarlet Promise Grant program. “It’s the right thing to do. I think Promise Grant program. “It’s the right thing to do. I think Promise Grant program. “It’s the right thing to do. I think during a time of challenge, someone who is leading a comduring a time of challenge, someone who is leading a comduring a time of challenge, someone who is leading a community also needs to recognize they’re serving the commumunity also needs to recognize they’re serving the commumunity also needs to recognize they’re serving the community,” he said. “Any time of challenge is an opportunity for nity,” he said. “Any time of challenge is an opportunity for nity,” he said. “Any time of challenge is an opportunity for a leader to say some version of, ‘We share more things in a leader to say some version of, ‘We share more things in a leader to say some version of, ‘We share more things in common than we don’t; we’re only going to be better if we common than we don’t; we’re only going to be better if we common than we don’t; we’re only going to be better if we recognize that fact and each other’s humanity.’ We all want recognize that fact and each other’s humanity.’ We all want recognize that fact and each other’s humanity.’ We all want the same things. We want to be acknowledged, we want to the same things. We want to be acknowledged, we want to the same things. We want to be acknowledged, we want to be respected, we want to have a roof over our heads, food, be respected, we want to have a roof over our heads, food, be respected, we want to have a roof over our heads, food, and clothing. When those things are being put at risk, then a and clothing. When those things are being put at risk, then a and clothing. When those things are being put at risk, then a leader has to do something about it.” leader has to do something about it.” leader has to do something about it.”

His wife, Aisling Colón, was instrumental in his decision His wife, Aisling Colón, was instrumental in his decision His wife, Aisling Colón, was instrumental in his decision to even consider the presidency at Rutgers. They dated in to even consider the presidency at Rutgers. They dated in to even consider the presidency at Rutgers. They dated in high school then reconnected 12 years later. This fall marks high school then reconnected 12 years later. This fall marks high school then reconnected 12 years later. This fall marks 22 years since being reunited. “She encouraged me,” Hollo22 years since being reunited. “She encouraged me,” Hollo22 years since being reunited. “She encouraged me,” Holloway said proudly. “She said, ‘Jonathan, the difference you can way said proudly. “She said, ‘Jonathan, the difference you can way said proudly. “She said, ‘Jonathan, the difference you can make — this will be important to you and I think you should make — this will be important to you and I think you should make — this will be important to you and I think you should do it.’ Rutgers won’t get to know her well this first year bedo it.’ Rutgers won’t get to know her well this first year bedo it.’ Rutgers won’t get to know her well this first year because she’ll be with our son in Chicago; but she’s looking cause she’ll be with our son in Chicago; but she’s looking cause she’ll be with our son in Chicago; but she’s looking forward to being part of the community as well.” Meanwhile, forward to being part of the community as well.” Meanwhile, forward to being part of the community as well.” Meanwhile, Holloway is settling into the community. “We really have Holloway is settling into the community. “We really have Holloway is settling into the community. “We really have been so beautifully supported by the Rutgers administrative been so beautifully supported by the Rutgers administrative been so beautifully supported by the Rutgers administrative community—there’s been a wonderful outreach… I’ve felt community—there’s been a wonderful outreach… I’ve felt community—there’s been a wonderful outreach… I’ve felt very warmly embraced—especially during COVID.” very warmly embraced—especially during COVID.” very warmly embraced—especially during COVID.”

Rutgers had more to offer Holloway than a prestigious tiRutgers had more to offer Holloway than a prestigious tiRutgers had more to offer Holloway than a prestigious title and fulfilling position. “One of the reasons I was so excittle and fulfilling position. “One of the reasons I was so excittle and fulfilling position. “One of the reasons I was so excited to put my name in the hat at Rutgers is the idea of being ed to put my name in the hat at Rutgers is the idea of being ed to put my name in the hat at Rutgers is the idea of being at a university with an explicit mandate to serve the public. at a university with an explicit mandate to serve the public. at a university with an explicit mandate to serve the public. It’s really exciting to me . . . I think a lot of cool things can It’s really exciting to me . . . I think a lot of cool things can It’s really exciting to me . . . I think a lot of cool things can be done at a public institution,” he said. “Part of my personal be done at a public institution,” he said. “Part of my personal be done at a public institution,” he said. “Part of my personal agenda as president is to try to make sure Rutgers stays accesagenda as president is to try to make sure Rutgers stays accesagenda as president is to try to make sure Rutgers stays accessible, becomes even more accessible. I wanted to be able to sible, becomes even more accessible. I wanted to be able to sible, becomes even more accessible. I wanted to be able to support students who need a little bit of extra help to get by. support students who need a little bit of extra help to get by. support students who need a little bit of extra help to get by. Rutgers’ Scarlet Promise Grants were exactly what I was lookRutgers’ Scarlet Promise Grants were exactly what I was lookRutgers’ Scarlet Promise Grants were exactly what I was looking for. It was a ten-minute conversation with my chief of staff ing for. It was a ten-minute conversation with my chief of staff ing for. It was a ten-minute conversation with my chief of staff and it was clear that was where I needed to make my gift.” and it was clear that was where I needed to make my gift.” and it was clear that was where I needed to make my gift.”

The How at Rutgers The How at RutgersThe How at Rutgers “My vision has been fundamentally delayed by COVID. The “My vision has been fundamentally delayed by COVID. The “My vision has been fundamentally delayed by COVID. The things I was hoping to do for Rutgers really to elevate its amthings I was hoping to do for Rutgers really to elevate its amthings I was hoping to do for Rutgers really to elevate its ambitions internally and elevate its reputation externally, that’s bitions internally and elevate its reputation externally, that’s bitions internally and elevate its reputation externally, that’s still stuff we need to do, but the resources we need to do still stuff we need to do, but the resources we need to do still stuff we need to do, but the resources we need to do that stuff are gone or need to be redeployed in other places. that stuff are gone or need to be redeployed in other places. that stuff are gone or need to be redeployed in other places. Our revenue streams for schools like Rutgers that are deeply Our revenue streams for schools like Rutgers that are deeply Our revenue streams for schools like Rutgers that are deeply tuition dependent have been really wiped out and we are all tuition dependent have been really wiped out and we are all tuition dependent have been really wiped out and we are all feeling deeply uncertain about how we’re going to proceed feeling deeply uncertain about how we’re going to proceed feeling deeply uncertain about how we’re going to proceed not just this fall, but in forward looking years,” said Hollonot just this fall, but in forward looking years,” said Hollonot just this fall, but in forward looking years,” said Holloway. “My present hope is the Legislature really recognizes way. “My present hope is the Legislature really recognizes way. “My present hope is the Legislature really recognizes the value of Rutgers to New Jersey’s economy and invests the value of Rutgers to New Jersey’s economy and invests the value of Rutgers to New Jersey’s economy and invests in us deeply as an engine of positive social change for the in us deeply as an engine of positive social change for the in us deeply as an engine of positive social change for the state. If we don’t get that kind of support, I don’t have an state. If we don’t get that kind of support, I don’t have an state. If we don’t get that kind of support, I don’t have an answer right now about how we are going to become our best answer right now about how we are going to become our best answer right now about how we are going to become our best version of ourselves.” version of ourselves.” version of ourselves.”

The decision to have the Fall 2020 semester at Rutgers The decision to have the Fall 2020 semester at Rutgers The decision to have the Fall 2020 semester at Rutgers take place mainly remotely was complicated. “We know the take place mainly remotely was complicated. “We know the take place mainly remotely was complicated. “We know the undergraduate cohorts will navigate through this virus relundergraduate cohorts will navigate through this virus relundergraduate cohorts will navigate through this virus relatively unscathed, so it’s easy to say, ‘Bring them all back!’ atively unscathed, so it’s easy to say, ‘Bring them all back!’ atively unscathed, so it’s easy to say, ‘Bring them all back!’ Continued on next page

Dr. Holloway delivers remarks in front of a portrait of Dr. Holloway delivers remarks in front of a portrait of Dr. Holloway delivers remarks in front of a portrait of M. William Howard, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors M. William Howard, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors M. William Howard, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors 2007-2010 and Pastor Emeritus Bethany Baptist Church 2007-2010 and Pastor Emeritus Bethany Baptist Church 2007-2010 and Pastor Emeritus Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. in Newark, NJ. in Newark, NJ.

HISTORIC ARRIVAL HISTORIC ARRIVAL cont’d from previous pagecont’d from previous page

But think of all the support staff,” Holloway said. “The peoBut think of all the support staff,” Holloway said. “The people cleaning for undergraduates, feeding undergraduates, ple cleaning for undergraduates, feeding undergraduates, teaching undergraduates—they are at risk. And if we have teaching undergraduates—they are at risk. And if we have to take care of them and provide them with a safe environto take care of them and provide them with a safe environment, then it’s going to take that much longer to get the ment, then it’s going to take that much longer to get the students back on campus. My heart goes out to the students students back on campus. My heart goes out to the students unhappy about this, and feel it’s unfair. Yeah, it is unfair. It unhappy about this, and feel it’s unfair. Yeah, it is unfair. It would make a lot more sense financially to have the students would make a lot more sense financially to have the students back. But I’m not going to ignore the health and safety of my back. But I’m not going to ignore the health and safety of my staff and faculty.” staff and faculty.”

While the decisions are both difficult and complicated, While the decisions are both difficult and complicated, President Holloway has a firm grasp of the mindset and President Holloway has a firm grasp of the mindset and emotional strength needed to navigate the labyrinth of a emotional strength needed to navigate the labyrinth of a global pandemic and come out healthy and ready to move global pandemic and come out healthy and ready to move forward when the coronavirus subsides. “Especially during forward when the coronavirus subsides. “Especially during this time, we need to treat one another with grace as our this time, we need to treat one another with grace as our first move. This is hard on everybody and the more we can first move. This is hard on everybody and the more we can just recognize we need to help one another and the value we just recognize we need to help one another and the value we find in that, I feel that’s really the best way to get on the other find in that, I feel that’s really the best way to get on the other side of this thing.” side of this thing.”

As he navigates the administrative and health and safety As he navigates the administrative and health and safety challenges of COVID-19, Holloway is also aware of the tenchallenges of COVID-19, Holloway is also aware of the tension and stress the pandemic has placed on everyone and sion and stress the pandemic has placed on everyone and is readying himself for the possibility of pushback or disapis readying himself for the possibility of pushback or disappointment from students. “The part that weighs on me is the pointment from students. “The part that weighs on me is the anticipation of that moment—I don’t know when it’s going anticipation of that moment—I don’t know when it’s going to come, but it will come,” he explained solemnly. “It’ll most to come, but it will come,” he explained solemnly. “It’ll most likely be Black students or their allies; they’ll come with some likely be Black students or their allies; they’ll come with some version of, ‘We thought you would be better. We thought version of, ‘We thought you would be better. We thought when you came here the administration would finally listen when you came here the administration would finally listen to us. We thought we finally had an administration that gets to us. We thought we finally had an administration that gets the things we deal with.’ I had that experience at Yale, I had the things we deal with.’ I had that experience at Yale, I had it at Northwestern… That stuff is cutting; it cuts to the core. it at Northwestern… That stuff is cutting; it cuts to the core. That moment’s going to come; it’s built into the logic of the That moment’s going to come; it’s built into the logic of the system. And it’s going to hurt. But it happens.” system. And it’s going to hurt. But it happens.”

When that moment inevitably comes, Holloway will meet When that moment inevitably comes, Holloway will meet it with the sense of hope he learned as a child and has carried it with the sense of hope he learned as a child and has carried with him throughout his life. “I am a historian who writes with him throughout his life. “I am a historian who writes on these topics; I have lived through these things… I know on these topics; I have lived through these things… I know how this country is organized. I understand how these syshow this country is organized. I understand how these systems are built and they’re deeply unfair.” His voice softened. tems are built and they’re deeply unfair.” His voice softened. “I know all of these things; but I also have to get out of bed “I know all of these things; but I also have to get out of bed each morning and if I let myself be consumed by things that each morning and if I let myself be consumed by things that speak to another example of disregard, another example speak to another example of disregard, another example of inequity or disrespect—I wouldn’t be able to function. of inequity or disrespect—I wouldn’t be able to function. No one promised me fairness. So, my attitude is I choose No one promised me fairness. So, my attitude is I choose to be hopeful because I need to get up, get out of bed, and to be hopeful because I need to get up, get out of bed, and engage the world.” engage the world.”

Witnessing HistoryWitnessing History If ever the stars aligned around the selection of a university If ever the stars aligned around the selection of a university president, they did when Holloway accepted the position at president, they did when Holloway accepted the position at Rutgers. Who could’ve known last January there was going to Rutgers. Who could’ve known last January there was going to be this global pandemic and in the middle of it, racial and sobe this global pandemic and in the middle of it, racial and social unrest would take place on a level unseen in fifty years in cial unrest would take place on a level unseen in fifty years in America? How fortuitous is it for Rutgers to have a renowned America? How fortuitous is it for Rutgers to have a renowned historian at the helm? “There are plenty of examples in our historian at the helm? “There are plenty of examples in our own history and other country’s histories that say this is really own history and other country’s histories that say this is really resonating with 1968 in the U.S. and around the world… Comresonating with 1968 in the U.S. and around the world… Comparisons are often overdone in the sense that we can become parisons are often overdone in the sense that we can become captive to the comparison. It breeds a really dangerous situacaptive to the comparison. It breeds a really dangerous situation,” Holloway explained. “There are plenty of things you can tion,” Holloway explained. “There are plenty of things you can point to that really resonate to different points of social unrest point to that really resonate to different points of social unrest or social protesting in our past, but boy, is this different. And or social protesting in our past, but boy, is this different. And it’s different because of social media; because people can get it’s different because of social media; because people can get organized without a central leader. Take Black Lives Matter… organized without a central leader. Take Black Lives Matter… people were skeptical. It’s a hashtag, it gets retweeted, but what people were skeptical. It’s a hashtag, it gets retweeted, but what does it do? But look at it now. We have never seen this before, does it do? But look at it now. We have never seen this before, not at this scale.” He continued. “My hope is that we will not not at this scale.” He continued. “My hope is that we will not return to normal because normal is what got us here. That we return to normal because normal is what got us here. That we get to a place where decency is valued, again. Where praying for get to a place where decency is valued, again. Where praying for another is valued again. That it’s not about who won, but what another is valued again. That it’s not about who won, but what we accomplished together. I don’t recognize this country right we accomplished together. I don’t recognize this country right now; that is a very hard thing for me to say, but it’s true.” now; that is a very hard thing for me to say, but it’s true.”

Family TiesFamily Ties “My wife and I both have family here,” he said. The smile “My wife and I both have family here,” he said. The smile was audible in his voice. With his wife and son in Chicago was audible in his voice. With his wife and son in Chicago until next year and his daughter studying at a different uniuntil next year and his daughter studying at a different university, that New Jersey family is a welcome respite for the versity, that New Jersey family is a welcome respite for the intrepid university president. One of those relatives is Gusintrepid university president. One of those relatives is Gustav Heningburg, II. Holloway affectionately refers to him tav Heningburg, II. Holloway affectionately refers to him as “Little Gus.” “He’s been making connections for me and as “Little Gus.” “He’s been making connections for me and said to call him if anybody messes with me,” he chuckled. said to call him if anybody messes with me,” he chuckled. He’s also enjoying time with another cousin, Michael HenHe’s also enjoying time with another cousin, Michael Heningburg. “Big Gus,” better known as Gus Heningburg, was ingburg. “Big Gus,” better known as Gus Heningburg, was a first cousin of Holloway’s mother and a giant among New a first cousin of Holloway’s mother and a giant among New Jersey construction, philanthropy, Black History, and too Jersey construction, philanthropy, Black History, and too many other things to name here. Holloway reflected on his many other things to name here. Holloway reflected on his first interview for his current position and remarked, “When first interview for his current position and remarked, “When I mentioned the family connection to Gus Heningburg, the I mentioned the family connection to Gus Heningburg, the air in the room changed.” As he shook hands and said his air in the room changed.” As he shook hands and said his farewells, almost every person on the panel had something farewells, almost every person on the panel had something personal to tell him about his first cousin once removed. personal to tell him about his first cousin once removed. “I did not really understand how important Big Gus was to “I did not really understand how important Big Gus was to New Jersey,” he reflected. New Jersey,” he reflected.

As Holloway leads Rutgers through this most precarious time, As Holloway leads Rutgers through this most precarious time, he’ll be following in his family’s tradition of service. “I choose to he’ll be following in his family’s tradition of service. “I choose to believe Gus knows I am where I am now and that his legacy is a believe Gus knows I am where I am now and that his legacy is a major asset to me as I make my way forward here,” Holloway remajor asset to me as I make my way forward here,” Holloway reflected. “And I hope I do him proud.” With his intellect, talent, flected. “And I hope I do him proud.” With his intellect, talent, and dedication, Holloway is destined to make “Big Gus” proud. and dedication, Holloway is destined to make “Big Gus” proud. And if those natural gifts aren’t enough or anybody messes with And if those natural gifts aren’t enough or anybody messes with him, “Little Gus” will have his back. That’s how New Jersey is.him, “Little Gus” will have his back. That’s how New Jersey is.

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Rutgers’ Effort to Keep College Affordable, Hasten the COVID-19 Recovery Rutgers’ Effort to Keep College Affordable, Hasten the COVID-19 Recovery

As students enter or return to college in a world grappling with a pandemic that continues to cause personal, emotional, psychological and financial damage, Rutgers University is focused on the effort to repair and rebuild. As students enter or return to college in a world grappling with a pandemic that continues to cause personal, emotional, psychological and financial damage, Rutgers University is focused on the effort to repair and rebuild. Rutgers’ efforts to fight the pandemic include its development of the first COVID-19 saliva test and coronavirus Rutgers’ efforts to fight the pandemic include its development of the first COVID-19 saliva test and coronavirus research, and work to understand the economic and employment impacts on New Jersey and the nation. research, and work to understand the economic and employment impacts on New Jersey and the nation. Just as importantly, the university is working to ensure that a Rutgers education remains accessible to all Just as importantly, the university is working to ensure that a Rutgers education remains accessible to all qualified students, including those facing life-changing situations that make it difficult to afford tuition. qualified students, including those facing life-changing situations that make it difficult to afford tuition. Nationwide, growing numbers of students are unable to complete their degrees because of limited resources, Nationwide, growing numbers of students are unable to complete their degrees because of limited resources, while others are saddled with debt after graduation. During the pandemic-driven economic contraction, these while others are saddled with debt after graduation. During the pandemic-driven economic contraction, these needs are greater than ever. needs are greater than ever. Rutgers helps qualified students in need in many ways, including through its Scarlet Promise Grants program, Rutgers helps qualified students in need in many ways, including through its Scarlet Promise Grants program, which during the 2019-2020 academic year provided financial help to 11,000 students so they could stay in which during the 2019-2020 academic year provided financial help to 11,000 students so they could stay in school and pursue the careers of their dreams. school and pursue the careers of their dreams.

Last year, Rutgers University and its Board of Trustees announced an effort to raise $3 million for the Scarlet Last year, Rutgers University and its Board of Trustees announced an effort to raise $3 million for the Scarlet Promise Grants endowment within 10 years to help support the grants in perpetuity. But amid the pandemic, Promise Grants endowment within 10 years to help support the grants in perpetuity. But amid the pandemic, the university and its donors stepped up in an even greater way. the university and its donors stepped up in an even greater way. On July 1, his first day as Rutgers president, Jonathan Holloway announced the dedication of $125,000 in On July 1, his first day as Rutgers president, Jonathan Holloway announced the dedication of $125,000 in presidential discretionary funds to kick off a $10 million focused campaign for the program, along with his own presidential discretionary funds to kick off a $10 million focused campaign for the program, along with his own donation of $75,000. donation of $75,000. Just one month after that announcement, donors gave $3 million toward the program – the full amount sought Just one month after that announcement, donors gave $3 million toward the program – the full amount sought during the first fundraising challenge. These gifts have allowed Rutgers to expand the program at a moment during the first fundraising challenge. These gifts have allowed Rutgers to expand the program at a moment when the need has been exacerbated by the recent pandemic and resulting economic conditions that have when the need has been exacerbated by the recent pandemic and resulting economic conditions that have affected many students’ families. affected many students’ families. In a July 1 message to the campus community, President Holloway said, “It is my hope that the global network of Rutgers friends and families will come together in this campaign in the spirit of being Scarlet Forever. Please know that there is nothing modest about any gift that might come in as each dollar is a declaration of faith in the transformative power of a Rutgers education.” In a July 1 message to the campus community, President Holloway said, “It is my hope that the global network of Rutgers friends and families will come together in this campaign in the spirit of being Scarlet Forever. Please know that there is nothing modest about any gift that might come in as each dollar is a declaration of faith in the transformative power of a Rutgers education.” In calling the Scarlet Promise Grant Program “the best vehicle we have to address the financial needs of our most economically at-risk students,” President Holloway communicated Rutgers’ commitment to keep college accessible In calling the Scarlet Promise Grant Program “the best vehicle we have to address the financial needs of our most economically at-risk students,” President Holloway communicated Rutgers’ commitment to keep college accessible during a pandemic and economic upheaval, in order to help ensure New Jersey’s and America’s recovery. during a pandemic and economic upheaval, in order to help ensure New Jersey’s and America’s recovery.

Welcome to Rutgers, President Holloway

Embracing new leadership in a new era for New Jersey.

Dear members of the 2020 graduating class, W e, the faculty of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, extend to each of you our heartfelt congratulations on this significant achievement and we look forward to embracing you as you move forward in the work of ministry. The final term of your journey toward your degree was marked by intense disruption including widespread loss of life to a global pandemic, ongoing reminders of the brutality of anti-Black racism, and righteously angry protests against the violence of anti-Black racism. It is an understatement to say this has been a difficult semester. In times like this the reign of God can seem far away, even impossible. This seeming impossibility is a grim reminder to us of the “but not yet” part of the common “already but not yet” description of the coming reign of God. In the face of a global pandemic and overwhelming loss of life, especially of those we love and hold dear, we were brutally reminded, “but not yet.” In response to the horrific images of brutal anti-Black racism on our screens and in our communities, we cry out, “but not yet.” When the threats of violence by the state, looming fascism, and authoritarian consolidation of power seem ready to crush us, we are glimpsing the “but not yet.” However, even in the trauma, urgency, and intensity of these brutal reminders of “but not yet,” we have seen glimpses of the “already,” that give us hope in the possibility of the coming reign of God. We have felt the “already” as we witnessed medical workers and other essential workers laboring at potentially great cost to themselves to care for the ill and serve their wider communities. We have digitally seen the “already” as we watched our ministers, who hastily reoriented themselves to a digital world, pour themselves into digitally car ing for their congregations. We have heard the “already” in the insistent shouts of protestors that “Black lives matter!” We have smelled the “already” in the riotous smoke and flames that burned down manifestations of an economy meant to exclude entire groups of people. We have glimpsed the “already” in the pivotal moments of learning with you this term. And in the midst of all these glimpses, we also confess that the divine peace of reconciliation and the cosmic victory over injustice was “already” proclaimed in Christ’s life, death, and resur rection (Luke 4:18-21; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; Col. 1:15-20). In this season of brutal reminders of “but not yet,” of the seemingly impossible, we celebrate you. Amidst the “but not yet” of this time, we see in you the “already,” the possibility of the coming reign of God. You have worked hard for this moment. At times, you may have felt that “but not yet” also described the seeming impossibility of your long and arduous journey toward a theological degree. But here you are, “al ready” to graduate. As you enter into this world of “but not yet,” we pray the world will see the “already” in you. We pray that in this world of seeming impossibility you will remind us and the world of the presence and possibility of the coming just and expansive reign of God. With great expectations for you and your ministries, The Faculty of New Brunswick Theological Seminary Willard Ashley, Jaeseung Cha, Michael Granzen, Nathan Jérémie-Brink, Jinhong Kim, Micah McCreary, Janice McLean-Farrell, Patrick Milas, Jeffrey Pettis, Raynard Smith, Terry Smith, Beth Tanner, Faye Taylor, Andrew Wymer.

The New Brunswick Theological Seminary faculty

wrote the above letter of support to the graduating class of 2020.