By Angelina Persaud, Managing Editor/News Editor
Manhattan University welcomed Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., as the new interim president on Oct. 15, marking a shift in the university’s leadership after Milo Riverso, Ph.D., stepped down after a year of service.
A Rutgers University graduate, Bonato comes to MU with a wealth of experience from his roles at both a previous Catholic university, Saint Peter’s University, and Montclair State University. He has held titles ranging from interim dean to executive vice president and provost at both institutions.
Originally, Bonato was a psychology professor at Saint Peter’s University for 17 years, where he led research with students related to motion sickness and aeromedical topics. This led him to take on his current side role as vice president of Education & Research at the Aerospace Medical Association.
According to an email to the campus community from the Board of Trustees on Sept. 19, Bonato was initially a finalist in the search for a president prior to Riverso taking office. The email stated, “We sought an interim leader who has a demonstrated track record of driving growth and has the depth of experience to be able to jump into the role and immediately make a difference for our students. The Board was struck by his unbridled passion for educating and empowering students, which we’re confident you’ll see from your first interactions with him.”
Bonato also sent an introductory email to the community on Sept. 19, where he highlighted his priority to be transparent and have a strong presence on campus for students.
“I believe that one of the most important things you can be as a leader is to be present – this is why you’ll see me a lot around campus once I get started,” Bonato wrote in the statement. “I look forward to popping up in classrooms, at club meetings, on the sidelines of Jasper sporting events, and in faculty offices.”
Bonato spoke to The Quadrangle about why having a strong presence on campus is important to him and how he plans to incorporate the students into his decision-making.
“In terms of being visible, that is simply a matter of engaging with the university community, and it means going to events that the community goes to, that could be a mass, a sporting event, a club event, all of those things,” Bonato said. “Everything I do is for the students. It might not seem like that, or people don’t see what I do day to day. I can tell you that every time I make a decision about anything, I think to myself, ‘how does this affect students?’.”
Bonato also addressed the recent decline in the desire for high school graduates to attend higher education institutions and how MU plans to remedy the situation with positive enrollment strategies and a diverse approach.
“I think we have to do everything we can to help grow that traditional undergraduate base. I thought we had a great open house,” Bonato said. “I thought the energy was incredible. The faculty, everyone was super positive and I think it was a great event, but now I think we need a more diversified approach.”
He also spoke about the value he places on undergraduate research opportunities and his efforts to support an increased number of academic research projects at MU. He reflected on his experience working with students on motion sickness and aerospace-related topics and the impact he saw firsthand.
“In terms of research opportunities, I think that is something that needs to be encouraged and invested in,” Bonato said. “From my own experience, I’ve worked with about 70 students in my laboratory directly in research projects throughout my career. I know that those experiences are different from the classroom, they give you practical, hands-on experience, and it changes the perspective that the students have.”
In addition to this research, Bonato also served as editor-in-chief of the Aerospace Medical Association’s peer-reviewed journal “Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance” where he reviewed over 300 manuscripts of cutting-edge research prior to publication.
In his final message to the campus community on Oct. 2, Riverso addressed the financial difficulties of the university, stating, “Our University is in a strong position. We have been able to shrink the deficit for the upcoming year. Our tuition discount rate has been lowered by 4% and enrollment is looking to be stable to meet the budget projection. And even with the challenges, so much good has come to the institution with more on the horizon.”
Bonato spoke about his plans for continued growth and “leaving the past in the past.”
“I think from this point, it’s a matter of growing, and it’s a matter of growing in a smart way, in the right kind of programs, different deliveries of programs,” Bonato said. “I choose to look forward and try to lead people to go forward with me, collaboratively as a group, [there’s] a lot of great people here.”
Anirban De, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Engineering, spoke about his hope that students will be able to connect with Bonato and allow him to serve as a source of leadership for them.
“The President represents the university as its highest officer both inside and outside the institution,” De wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “As a career faculty member, I am sure students will find him approachable when they see him around campus. I hope students will take the opportunity when they meet him to share their thoughts and any concerns with him.”
De also shared his expectations of Bonato, which entails collaborative efforts with both administration, faculty and students.
“Dr. Bonato brings many years of experience as an academic leader,” De wrote. “I expect him to…provide the best possible college experience for our students. He will listen to the campus community, as well the broader Jasper community outside (including alumni and friends of Manhattan University), to identify ways in which to make Manhattan College strong and sustainable. I look forward to working under his leadership to make Manhattan University stronger and better for our entire campus community.”
John Packes, a junior chemical engineering student, explained that having a president with an active presence on campus is vital to the community of MU.
“I believe there is always room for change, an active presence on campus is a great trait for a president to have and I am hoping to see that from him,” Packes wrote to The Quadrangle. “I would love to be able to see him around campus and the quad. I always love having a spontaneous conversation with a professor or administrator, and would love to do the same with Dr. Bonato.”
Packes also emphasized that research, from a student perspective, would be an engaging opportunity outside the classroom and is hopeful of Bonato’s efforts to invest in the endeavor.
“I love the idea of more research opportunities,” Packes wrote. “I personally want to do research during the school year and I think the more opportunities for students to do this the better.”
Bonato shared a sentiment he felt was reflective of the community of Jaspers at MU: vibrant and welcoming.
“I knew I wanted to come here, but I was unprepared for how vibrant and how hopeful and how really dedicated so many people are here, and I’ve been really enjoying my time with the students,” Bonato said. “Every time I interact with students, I’ve gone to some of their events, at competitions, and I knew it would be good. It’s better than I thought it would be. I look forward to the future.”