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Trustee Establishes New Communication Scholarship

Scholarship Honors Former Communication Student, Raymond Michelli


In honor of their son Raymond, who passed away in October of 2011, Thomas and Roseann Michelli have established an endowed scholarship to be awarded to a communication major with an interest in sports announcing.

Raymond, also called Ray, graduated from the University in 2000 with a Bachlor’s degree in communication and a strong passion for sports. Although a lifelong battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy separated Raymond from participating in sports, he pursued his love for sports in other ways. This passion was so profound that Kevin Callahan, University’s head football coach, called and offered him a position as the team’s statistician, which Ray proudly took, his father said.

“Ray’s experience at Monmouth was pretty special. He got to go to all of the football team’s games, and was very insistent about his obligation,” said Thomas Michelli, a member of the University Board of Trustees, “He really enjoyed the Athletics and Communication programs.”

In addition to athletics, Ray also worked at WMCX as both a DJ and a sportscaster. The hosts of Ray’s sports announcing show were referred to as “The Brew Crew.” Roseann Michelli, Raymond Michelli’s mother, said, “Ray did so much at Monmouth. It was like his second home,” she said.

“Ray was a delight as a student. He brought passion and engagement to the classroom, and students and faculty alike were inspired by his dedication to his craft,” said Chad Dell, Chair of the Department of Communication.

One University member who grew particularly close with Ray over the years was Chris Cavallaro, professor of radio/television. Cavallaro taught a course with Ray in introduction to radio production as well as a course in advanced radio production in the late 1990s. “Ray was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. He was always smiling, always cracking wise jokes, and always remaining positive despite his condition. He truly touched me,” said Cavallaro.

Even after Ray graduated in 2000, he still came to WMCX to do air shifts. Ray was also a frequent guest at the Communication Awards every April, and had only stopped attending a few years prior to his passing. As stated in a previous Outlook article published on October 26, 2011, both Dell and Cavallaro say that Ray continued to work through his disease to fulfill education and live his life fully.

The Department of Communication named its radio studio in his honor as a result of a prior gift by the Michelli family, which further prompted the idea of forming a scholarship. “We think Monmouth University is a phenomenal institution, and we want to continue to stay involved as much as possible for as long as we can,” Thomas Michelli said.

“I’m really touched by this gift, which will mean so much to students pursuing their dreams in sports broadcasting, and which is a wonderful remembrance of an outstanding member of our community,” said Dell.

The first scholarship will be awarded on May 5 at the annual Communication awards ceremony by both Thomas and Roseann Michelli. The recipient of this $2,050 scholarship will be chosen by a committee of three faculty members.

“To award a scholarship will be an ongoing way for us to keep Ray’s legacy alive,” said Thomas Michelli. “This is something where every year we can meet the awarded student and be more involved.”