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Impending Winter Storm

Due to the impending storm, all classes and activities at Kean’s main campus in Union, Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands will operate remotely on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. 

The University will observe a Winter Wellness Day on Tuesday, January 27, following the storm. Classes and activities will not run, and employees are not expected to work. 

Due to ongoing power problems at the Kean Ocean Gateway Building, all classes and activities at Kean Ocean will also be conducted remotely on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. This only applies to Kean Ocean. 

Only essential personnel should report to work as scheduled during the remote period or on Tuesday. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor. 

Keanu’s Kitchen will remain open for residential students on the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. 

All vehicles parked on the Union campus must be relocated to the Vaughn-Eames overnight parking lot by 6 p.m. on Saturday to allow for storm cleanup. Vehicles parked elsewhere on campus are subject to relocation. 

Architecture Student Named National Rising Black Designer

Aug 05, 2021
Michael Graves College Architecture Senior Marquis Major

A Kean University architecture student has received a prestigious national scholarship for young Black designers for his creative vision and outstanding design.

Marquis Major, of Deer Park, New York, was awarded the National Rising Black Designer Scholarship from Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm. He was awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition and books and has an opportunity for a future internship.

“Winning this scholarship will help me greatly in my career. Gensler is a globally renowned firm and being selected out of countless applicants will look fantastic on my resume,” Major said. “The field of architecture is a difficult profession, but winning this award has given me the confidence to trust my design ideas.”

“I am delighted that Marquis Major has been awarded the Gensler National Rising Black Designer Award,” said David Mohney, FAIA, dean of Michael Graves College. “Marquis is a talented student, and this award clearly recognizes his promise as a future professional. The award speaks to Kean's leading reputation as a diverse institution.” 

School of Public Architecture Lecturer Camille Sherrod helped develop Kean’s chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, which seeks to advance a more inclusive professional practice and assisted Michael Graves College students in applying for the award. She said the scholarship will give Major a career boost.

“From the perspective of validation, being selected as a winner of a national scholarship can go a long way in opening doors within the profession, a profession where Black men are largely absent,” Sherrod said. 

Major’s interest in architecture began after a tragic event. 

“Superstorm Sandy destroyed part of my childhood home so we were forced to renovate it. During the renovation, I started to become incredibly interested in architecture and design,” he said. “I was actually able to help with the redesign, which sparked my love for architecture.” 

Major credits Kean’s faculty, including Sherrod, Assistant Professor Craig Konyk and Adjunct Professor Joy Siegel, for encouraging students to find their own creative style.

“They help us learn the ins and outs of design while also allowing us the freedom to test things out and make our own mistakes,” he said. “They also host seminars where guest speakers come to present, giving us access to a multitude of different design perspectives and showing us how versatile a design degree can be.”

After graduation, Major plans to work at an architecture firm and design projects that benefit his clients and communities as well. 

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