Kent Manahan Speaks to
MHI Media Group    

New Jersey residents who watch public television with some regularity are familiar with the face and voice of Kent Manahan, evening anchor for New Jersey Network News. In her talk, “On the Newsbeat in New Jersey,” on October 8, Kent gave a riveting account of the daily routine in a busy newsroom as the priorities for program content shift with breaking news. Kent also spoke about the beginnings of her career.  As an aspiring journalist, she began reporting when public television was in its infancy in her state.  Kent has been able to combine her work at NJN with raising a family of six, including one set of triplets, thanks to a very supportive husband and relatives.

In the course of her reporting assignments, Kent has had numerous encounters with celebrities and heads of state, but one of the projects that has meant the most to her was a ground-breaking news special, “Battered Wives, Shattered Lives,” one of the first broadcast programs to take an in-depth look at domestic abuse.  Kent will be winding up her nearly three decades of newscasting at the end of the year when she will retire from her anchor chair and devote her considerable reporting skills to developing news specials and other in-depth stories for NJN. In the question and answer session, Kent gave many insightful but impartial comments on the current presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as a wide range of career-related advice for the young journalists and writers in the audience. 

Murray Hill Institute sponsors Evenings of Conversation for Women in Media twice a year. Mirta Ojito, Assistant Professor, Columbia University School of Journalism, will be our next guest, on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.

Grant from Morgan Stanley
Murray Hill Institute was grateful to receive a $2,500 grant from Morgan Stanley through their Volunteer Incentive Program.  This grants program supports organizations for which Morgan Stanley employees volunteer.  Marisu Rodriguez, a manager at Morgan Stanley, has been involved for several years as a volunteer in the Murray Hill Institute’s Young Professional Evenings of Conversation. She has spoken to the group and also has participated in the planning and organization of the activities.  This is the third grant  that Murray Hill Institute has received from Morgan Stanley and we are most appreciative of this support, which will go to defray the costs of our mentoring programs, conferences and lectures.   

Murray Hill Institute Fall Benefit
Over 70 guests gathered for an evening of conviviality and dancing at the seventh annual dinner benefit for Murray Hill Institute.  This popular event was held on Friday, September 26, 2008 at the Double Tree Hotel in Fort Lee, New Jersey.  Kathy McGarry, President, Board of Directors of the Murray Hill Institute, spoke about the mission of the organization.  Laura Scott spoke about the many benefits she has experienced from participating in Murray Hill Institute activities.  

Our thanks go to the members of the Benefit Committee and all who worked so hard to make this evening a success.  Murray Hill Institute relies to a large extent on the help and support of volunteers, and we appreciate all of the support that so many have provided to us throughout the year, whether it is by participating in a matching contribution programs through your company, volunteering your help for special events, helping us spread the word about our programs and events, or writing articles and features for the MHI newsletter.  

Culture and Core Beliefs Series
Prof. Thomas Swanzey of Fairleigh Dickinson University was the guest speaker at the fall lecture of MHI’s Culture and Core Beliefs series on October 24.  In his talk, “‘Just a Spoonful of Sugar’ The Difference Medieval Aesthetics Makes,”  Dr. Swanzey gave a lively and witty account of the symbolism and iconography that played so great a role in medieval aesthetics.  Drawing from a wide variety of examples from art and literature of the period, Prof. Swanzey demonstrated how allegorical meanings, which were recognized by virtually everyone at that time, are embedded in sacred and secular works alike.  Familiarity with these representations is crucial for correctly interpreting the art and literature of the middle ages.  

Evenings of Conversation for Young Professionals: Events in November and December    

Tuesday, November 11, 7:30 pm: Alice Tepper Marlin, President, Social Accountability International will speak on “Making Workplace Human Rights a Vital Part of the Business Agenda .”

Catherine Stutzer, of Wells Fargo Bank, will speak on "Handling Serious Illness in the Workplace" later in the fall or early winter.  Final information will be posted soon on our website.

Friday, December 12, 7:30 pm:  A Christmas Musicale of Flute, Violin, and Piano music will be presented by some of the “serious amateurs” featured in our “Cultural Corner” article this month.  Join us for a festive evening of chamber music and good cheer.