Maryann Bond Doherty ’58
Maryann Bond Doherty ’58 has chaired her Montclair State University class reunion every five years since 1963 — and plans to keep right on doing so. She also continues to give annually for scholarships — and recently added a charitable gift annuity that will pay income for life to herself and her husband Henry with the remainder going to the University Foundation.
“The gift annuity is providing for us as well as providing for the college in the long run,” Maryann explains. “Most alumni are not wealthy, and they may hesitate to give because they may have fears about their financial futures. With a gift annuity we are getting back something for our investment.”
Maryann grew up in Madison and was the first female in her extended family to attend a four-year college. She went on to a 25-year career as an elementary school teacher in several New Jersey communities, teaching multiple grade levels including gifted students and basic skills and running a math lab.
In addition to learning the basics of teaching, “Montclair State taught me how to write, how to get along with people and how to be a leader,” she says. “These things have helped me as a teacher and as a leader in many volunteer organizations.”
Maryann has volunteered and had leadership roles in the American Legion Auxiliary, Boy Scouts of America and PTAs at her children’s schools and at her church. She has served multiple terms on the former Montclair State Alumni Association Executive Board. “I love meeting and working with alumni,” she says, adding that she is proud of one of the most recent alumni — her grandson Kevin who graduated this year — just as she was celebrating her 60th reunion.