On April 11, 2010, 13 incoming freshmen sat in company with family, student ambassadors, and for some fortunate few, side by side with President Dawood Farahi himself. The 2010 Freshman Scholarship Reception, held in Kean Hall, served as a formal introduction and honoring of those incoming students who were offered monetary aid based on academic achievement and merit. President Farahi delivered the keynote address by engaging the small, intimate audience with his notable story-telling and eccentricity; the smiles carried throughout. While the 13 incoming freshmen all shared the same sentiments of an eagerness for "the next step", their alikeness stops there. While some were awarded for their diligence in academia, others attributed the award to extra-curricular commitment. Luis Vargas, a freshman scholarship recipient from Morristown High School, holds the position of music director for the school's radio station, as well as being a member of the Latin club, improv-comedy club, and the National Art Honor Society. Vargas intends on being a commuting secondary education biology major.
Some of the recipients vary their involvement. Jeffrey Jaeckel, an incoming freshman from Kenilworth's David Brearley High School, is an intending criminal justice major who expands his involvement in both school based activities and personal growth areas. Jaekel contributes as a member of the swim team, plays alto saxophone in the school's band, and is involved in Boy Scouts.

Ellesa Effner could not hold back the excitement of being a new Kean cougar. "I am counting down the days," say Effner. "I tell my friends all the time how much I can't wait." Effner will be a resident student next semester in the New Freshman Residence Hall as a math education major. She is a member of Interact - a Rotary International youth service group; she also participates in fencing and marching band.

The transition, too, varies among the recipients. Veteran Michael Callahan is an incoming freshman who just served seven years in the United States Army. The sergeant was assisted by Office of Veteran's Affairs in applying and will be attending Kean under the post 9-11 Bill. Callahan's starting semester comes just after the recent military focused faculty and student veteran's panel which honored the men and women that serve this country and are a part of the Kean family.

One student's acceptance to Kean follows family footsteps. Joe Celentano, a student from North Warren Regional, is an intending secondary education chemistry major with three Kean alumni cousins. Around Celentano sat two other "Joe's" of the family and other supportive family members. "No pressure," one joked to Celentano in regards to the family tradition in-the-making. If the previous three graduations are any indication of Celentano's potential, he should be carrying on the torch some years to come.

Kean University welcomes the thirteen freshmen scholarship recipients! The other eight incoming freshman are Emily Cristaldi and Elizabeth Cron of Union County, Ashley Davis of Hunterdon County, John "JJ" Hladik of Hudson County, Timothy James of Burlington County, Scott Kinney of Middlesex County, Danny Perez of Somerset County, and Samantha Scheuermann of Bergen County. Kean University also thanks the admissions counselors who are the recruiters responsible for bringing the talented and eager thirteen of the ceremony. These recruiters are Lori Boyd, Courtney Chambers, Manuel Donelson, Delia Emery, Joe Inzitari, Cynthia Sanchez, and Christina Vazquez.

The Kean community looks to see these incoming freshmen involved and as dedicated to their higher learning as they are to the activities threaded in their lives now. Welcome new cougars, may this path be one embraced with great accomplishment!