from the Executive Board of the

Morgan State University New Jersey Chapter

From the President’s Desk: Happy Thanksgiving, Morgan Alumni Family!

During this season of gratitude, we pause to say thank you for being a part of our alumni chapter community. Whether you have given your time, shared your resources, supported us from afar, or simply kept us in your thoughts with the intention to engage your presence matters, and we are grateful for you.

Every act of support big or small, seen or unseen helps us continue our mission, uplift our students, and honor the legacy of our beloved alma mater. This chapter is stronger because you are part of it.

We wish you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving filled with peace, joy, and the warmth of family and friends. May your hearts and homes be full of love and gratitude.

Forever Morgan, Morgan Forever

Claudia Ruffin, President New Jersey Alumni Chapter

NOTE: Please note: Some recipients may see the newsletter truncated. If you notice “[Message clipped] View entire message” at the bottom, simply click it to view the full newsletter and ensure you don’t miss any important updates.

Morgan State University New Jersey Chapter Meeting

Saturday, November 22, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm

Fellow Morganites!

We invite you to join us for our monthly meeting. Our chapter officers will present the latest updates and share their exciting goals for the upcoming year.

Join the Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87318286749

Meeting ID: 873 1828 6749

MSU NJAC: Pride in the Past, Purpose in the Present

🚀 Don’t wait - Join us and help keep the Morgan legacy thriving in New Jersey!

⏰ The countdown is on! Our chapter year runs July 1 – June 30, and it’s time to lock in your 2025–2026 membership with the Morgan State University NJ Alumni Chapter! 💙🧡

Whether you’re a first-time member or making a proud return, your support keeps our traditions strong, energizes our events, and ensures the Morgan legacy continues to shine right here in New Jersey.

Let’s make this year bigger, bolder, and more Bear-strong than ever join us today! 🐻✨

✨ Don’t just cheer from the sidelines be part of the action! ✨

Join or renew today and let’s keep making Morgan history together! 🐻💙🧡

• $85 for non-Life Members (both local chapter and national dues)
• $50 for Life Members (Alumni local chapter only)
• $35 for Associate Members (Non-Alumni local chapter only)

https://morganalumnj.org/membership/

There are three (3) ways you can pay your chapter dues: PayPal, if using PayPal please add $3.00 to cover their fee; Zelle, send to msunaanj@gmail.com. There is no fee to use Zelle; or mail your check to MSUAA-NJ Chapter, P.O. Box 6134, Somerset, NJ 08875.

Morganites may pay their dues for no more than two consecutive years.

🔥 Calling All Proud Morganites! 🔥

Now’s your moment to pay it forward and keep the Morgan Bears spirit roaring in New Jersey! 🐻💙 Join a Morgan State University NJ Alumni Chapter committee and put your energy, ideas, and skills to work shaping future generations, supporting current students, and making a real impact.

✨ Your time + your talents = a stronger Morgan family.



Jump in today let’s make greatness happen together! 🚀

Click Here to Join a Committee

Alumni Mixer: Mingle & Celebrate the Bear Way!

All alumni and friends are invited to join us for a fun evening filled with Bear pride, holiday cheer, and meaningful community impact.

This event supports the Morgan State University NJ Alumni Chapter Fundraiser a chance to gather, reconnect, and give back.

✨ Wear Your Orange & Blue!

Show your MSU spirit and shine merry & bright.

Your attendance helps us award scholarships, strengthen our programs, and uplift the community we proudly serve.

Don’t forget to present this flyer (on your phone or printed) when paying so your contribution is included!

🤝 Food Pantry Donation Encouraged

Please bring a non-perishable food contribution to support local families in need.

The first 20 attendees to will receive a gift!

Legacy HBCU Experience College Fair Recap

We are happy to have participated in the Legacy Experience held on September 20th.

Congratulations to Experience the Legacy for another successful college fair experience and to all who attended and participated in a great unique historical experience.

MSUAA NJ Chapter Represents at the Newark Board of Education Senior College Fair – October 3rd

The MSUAA NJ Chapter proudly represented Morgan State University at the Newark Board of Education Senior College Fair on October 3rd. Our volunteers engaged with hundreds of seniors eager to explore their post-secondary options. Many students showed strong interest in The National Treasure, and we were excited to share information about academic programs, campus life, and scholarship opportunities. It was a rewarding day of connecting with future Bears!

MSUAA NJ Chapter Attends Paterson Public Schools College Fair – October 29th

On October 29th, the MSUAA NJ Chapter participated in the Paterson Public Schools College Fair, where we had the opportunity to meet enthusiastic students from across the district. Our team provided insight into Morgan State University’s rich history, student support resources, and admissions process. The energy was high, and we were thankful for the chance to introduce Morgan to so many promising scholars.

MSUAA NJ Chapter Engages Students at East Orange Campus High School Post-Secondary College Fair – October 30th

The MSUAA NJ Chapter continued its outreach efforts on October 30th at the East Orange Campus High School Post-Secondary College Fair. Students visited our table with thoughtful questions about campus culture, major selection, and financial aid. We enjoyed helping them explore pathways to higher education and highlighting what makes Morgan State University a standout choice.

MSUAA NJ Chapter Connects with Students at Hackensack High School College Fair – October 30th

Also on October 30th, our chapter proudly represented Morgan State University at the Hackensack High School College Fair. We connected with a diverse group of students interested in STEM, business, the arts, and more. Our volunteers shared information on Morgan’s academic excellence, vibrant campus community, and commitment to student success. It was a productive and inspiring event, closing out a strong month of outreach.

MORGANITES! 📣 Volunteer Opportunity – College Fair Representative

Our future Bears need YOU!



Help inspire and guide the next generation of students toward Morgan State University and the HBCU experience.

Whether you can greet guests, share your college journey, or hand out materials your presence can make a difference.

Volunteers Sign up today and let’s show up strong for Morgan!

https://signup.com/go/ObMWKqG

MSUAA NJ Chapter Supports North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on College Tour

The MSUAA-NJ proudly partnered with the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to support their Delta Teens L.I.F.T. Program's annual college tour. We provided snacks to keep the students energized throughout their journey. 🧡💙 #MorganMade #Delta Teens #CommunityInAction.

We hope each student found the tour inspiring and that their visit to The National Treasure, Morgan State University, sparked excitement about the academic and cultural opportunities waiting for them. We look forward to continuing our partnership in uplifting future scholars and showcasing the excellence of Morgan State University.

🎉 Happy Birthday, November Morganites! 🎉

The Morgan State University New Jersey Alumni Chapter sends heartfelt wishes to all of our amazing members celebrating a birthday this November! 🍁🎂

This month, we celebrate you our strong, passionate Scorpios and our bright, adventurous Sagittarians. Whether you’re embracing transformation, setting bold goals, or chasing new adventures, may this season bring you abundant joy, good health, and endless reasons to smile.

November reminds us to pause in gratitude and we are deeply thankful for each of you who continue to represent the Morgan legacy of excellence, leadership, and community here in New Jersey and beyond. 💙🧡

So here’s to another year of growth, greatness, and Bear pride!

Happy Birthday to all our November Bears! 🐻✨

Keep shining, celebrating, and showing the world what it means to be Morgan Made! 🎈

Charles Spicer and Claudia Ruffin, MSUAA NJ Chapter President

🌟Proud Morganite Spotlight: The Morgan Man, Charles F. Spicer Jr. and the Artist

Morgan graduate Charles F. Spicer Jr. has an enduring connection to the pop icon Prince.

Charles F. Spicer Jr., Class of 1986, first met a young Prince Rogers Nelson in Rahway, New Jersey, in 1976 a meeting that grew into a lifelong friendship. Today, he serves as co-owner of Prince Legacy, LLC, a role that allows him to protect Prince’s intellectual property and manage access to the late artist’s vault of unreleased music.

At Morgan, “Spice” was a telecommunications major from 1982 to 1986, known for his dedication to WEAA Radio, where he worked as an audio engineer, overnight host, and campus DJ. His passion for broadcasting later expanded into television, where he directed award-winning commercials and earned several Telly Awards for excellence in video and television.

Following Prince’s passing in 2016, Spicer was appointed as a court advisor during the estate’s probate process and later became co-owner of Prince Legacy, LLC. In 2023, he curated and produced the Grammy-nominatedPrince’s Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe Box Set, featuring over 75 tracks including 33 unreleased recordings along with a 120-page hardcover book and two hours of video content. The project earned a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Historical Album.

Now based in New Jersey, Spicer remains deeply connected to his alma mater. Whether meeting fellow Bears in his community or returning for Homecoming, his Morgan pride runs deep.

The MSUAA NJ Chapter appreciates Spice’s support and presence at our events.💙🧡

🌟 Proud Morganite Spotlight: Ivy Harrington Takes First Runner-Up at Miss USA 2025

The Morgan State University New Jersey Alumni Chapter proudly celebrates Ivy Harrington, Miss New Jersey USA 2025, for earning First Runner-Up at the 74th Miss USA Pageant held last weekend in Reno, Nevada! 👑✨

A proud Neptune, New Jersey native, Ivy is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and personal development. She holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Morgan State University.

Combining her expertise in media, marketing, and leadership, Ivy is committed to making a lasting impact in the world of communications and beyond.

A four-time Miss New Jersey USA competitor, Ivy’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose. After competing in 2020 and placing in the Top 5 in both 2022 and 2024, she captured the state title in 2025 making history as the oldest woman ever crowned Miss New Jersey USA. Her success boldly proves that dreams have no expiration date.

Through her platform, Ivy inspires women and girls everywhere to embrace their power, defy societal timelines, and chase their dreams with courage and confidence. 💙🧡

🟦 Morgan Continues Record-Breaking Growth

With significant gains in graduate, transfer, and Black male student enrollment, Morgan State solidifies its position as one of the nation’s fastest-growing HBCUs.

Morgan State University’s steady rise in national prominence and student demand shows no signs of slowing. For the fifth consecutive year, the University has set a new all-time enrollment record, welcoming 11,559 students for the 2025–26 academic year.

The University recorded significant increases in graduate, transfer, and international student populations. The School of Graduate Studies reached a new high of 2,005 students, while new transfer enrollment climbed to 403, a 10% increase over last fall. The number of Black male students enrolled also rose by 10%, underscoring early success as Morgan looks to address one of higher education’s most pressing challenges.

In 2024, Morgan enrolled 10,739 students and received 24,414 applications. This year, applications surged to 26,516, a 9% increase, reflecting the University’s growing reach and appeal. Of the new students entering Morgan, 51% hail from outside Maryland, representing 32 states, reaffirming the University’s expanding national footprint. International enrollment climbed to 1,130 students, further enhancing campus diversity and global engagement.

Morgan’s expansion in both undergraduate and graduate education reflects a deliberate strategy to serve a broader, more diverse student population while maintaining academic excellence and community relevance.

💙MacKenzie Scott Awards Morgan State University a Transformative $63 Million Gift

In an extraordinary reaffirmation of Morgan State University’s mission and trajectory, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has awarded the University a $63 million unrestricted gift, her second transformative contribution to Morgan in less than five years. This latest donation brings Scott’s total giving to the University to $103 million, a powerful endorsement of Morgan’s demonstrated capacity for growth, stewardship, and societal impact.

Morgan now the nation’s third-largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) has emerged as a national model of strategic expansion, innovation, and academic excellence. Over the past five years, the University has achieved record enrollment growth, launched dozens of new degree and certificate programs, and established a suite of research centers addressing some of society’s most urgent challenges, including urban health, climate change, artificial intelligence, and educational equity.

We are deeply grateful to donors like MacKenzie Scott, whose visionary philanthropy continues to create lasting, generational impact at Morgan. Her extraordinary gift propels us forward breaking barriers, advancing equity, and driving us closer to our vision of becoming one of the nation’s premier public research universities.

🎶 Morgan State University Presents “Echoes of Motown: A Musical Requiem of Rhythm & Resistance"

The Morgan State University Department of Fine and Performing Arts proudly presents Echoes of Motown: A Musical Requiem of Rhythm & Resistance an electrifying celebration of Motown’s legacy through song, dance, and storytelling.

Directed by Dr. Tyrone Stanley, this powerful production features celebrity choreographer SayQuon Keys and The Voice star Mac Royals, alongside Morgan’s talented musical theater majors. Together, they reimagine the timeless hits of legends like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes honoring Motown’s enduring spirit of hope, love, and liberation.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.

📍 Gilliam Concert Hall, Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center

🎟️ Tickets: $25 General Admission | $20 Groups (10+)

Visit www.murphyfineartscenter.org or call 443-885-4440.

Experience the rhythm, the resistance, and the soul of Motown Morgan style! 💙🧡

Chapter Newsletter Submissions

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any chapter news to share, such as Alumni Spotlights, upcoming HBCU events, sporting events, charity events, college fairs, committee meetings or announcements about recent passings, please email us at prvp@morganalumnj.org. We look forward to hearing your updates!

Issue: November 2025