On the 'Threshold of a New Era,' Kean President Marks Opening Day

Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., today announced record enrollment of registered new students and highlighted the University’s role as an anchor institution during his annual Opening Day address.

“The energy in this room is palpable,” he said, standing before a capacity crowd in Wilkins Theatre on Kean’s Union campus, as the speech was streamed to the Kean Ocean campus in Toms River and Wenzhou-Kean University in China.

“We are on a transformational journey together, and the path ahead of us is full of innovation, progress and success. Over the past three years, we achieved remarkable milestones, uplifting our community and building a stronger, more vibrant Kean University.”

Repollet has instituted a vast number of changes and improvements, and overseen continuous growth, since joining the University in 2020.

“We now stand at the threshold of a new era, marked by growth, innovation and equity. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but together, we will continue to break new ground,” he said. “As we begin our fourth year together, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.”

Repollet took the stage after a welcome from Kean University Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Fastook ’06H and a fun introduction of the University’s mascot, Kean Cougar “Keanu,” who bounded onto the stage sporting a new look.

“What do you think of our new-and-improved mascot?” Repollet asked, eliciting roars of approval and applause.

Following that, the president got down to his message. 

“This Fall we welcome the largest number of new students in Kean’s history,” he said. “Our worldwide enrollment will top 17,000 students, joining us from 82 different countries and 35 states. I want us to all stop and think about just how far the Kean brand reaches across the globe.”

Repollet cited the University’s continued commitment to its work as an urban research university; outlined Kean’s role as an anchor institution, providing economic vitality and cultural offerings to the area; and congratulated the College of Business and Public Management for its recent accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

He also lauded faculty research. This past year, Kean faculty secured more than $18 million in grant funding, he said. 

As he neared the close of his speech, Repollet described changes coming to campus. Included are the creation of a Student Bill of Rights for Advising; a revised General Education curriculum; implementation of the Moon Shot for Equity initiative to close equity gaps in higher education; and additional resources devoted to Kean’s ongoing health and wellness programs.

The Kean.edu website is also now available in Spanish, fitting for a University that is a Hispanic-Serving-Institution, he noted.

The president also introduced the University’s new, proposed mission statement and core values, which will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at its September meeting.

The new draft mission statement reads: “Kean University, New Jersey’s first Urban Research University, creates a world-class, innovative and inclusive society through equity and excellence in teaching, learning, global research, and impactful public engagement.”

The core values are academic excellence, equity, inclusivity, wellness, social mobility and public impact.  

“They will inform our decisions and help formulate our goals and objectives as we move ahead. They are a reflection of who we are, and the culture we shape, together, each day,” Repollet said.

“We’re going to show the world what the path ahead – the path of ascension – looks like. We are going to show the world that Kean Cougars Climb Higher together.”