Paul Plishka receives honorary doctorate from Montclair State University (08/01/99)

Paul Plishka receives honorary doctorate from Montclair State University

by Bob Quarteroni

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N. J. - Montclair State University honored Metropolitan Opera bass Paul Plishka with an honorary doctorate degree, which was presented at commencement ceremonies on May 14 at Continental Airlines Arena at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

Mr. Plishka urged the university's 1999 graduating class of 3,116 - its largest ever - to remember those who sacrificed so that they could graduate.

He told the graduates that his Ukrainian grandfather came to America in 1912 seeking a better life: "He came here and worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines for 42 years," Mr. Plishka said. "My mother was born in the United States and left school in the fourth grade to work in a dress factory to help the family succeed. The result of these hardships was a new and better life for me, my brother and my family."

"I am standing here today because of the hard work and sacrifice of so many others, people we tend to forget or just take for granted. You should be very proud of your achievements today, but don't forget those who helped make it possible. Be sure to make them proud of their part in your success," he underlined.

Mr. Plishka, who studied music at Montclair State, is noted for an extraordinary voice and impeccable artistry that combine to make him one of the world's foremost singers, praised by critics for his smooth, beautifully produced bass and polished dramatic skills.

A leading member of the Metropolitan Opera since 1967, he regularly appears with major opera companies from Seattle to Barcelona, from Houston to Paris.

Mr. Plishka has performed in many important roles since his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, where he has sung well over 1,000 performances. His voice is most often associated with Italian opera, especially "Don Carlo," "Ernani," "Simon Boccanegra" and "Aida."

His artistry was recognized in 1992 when he received the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and, several years earlier, when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great American Opera Singers.

Mr. Plishka, a Pennsylvania native, studied with the Paterson Lyric Opera Theatre after attending Montclair State University.

He has an extensive discography on Angel, ABC, Columbia, Erato, RCA and Vox records. His recording of the Verdi "Requiem" with the Atlanta Symphony and Robert Shaw won a Grammy Award for the best classical album of 1988.

Also honored at the commencement ceremonies was K-mart CEO Floyd Hall, who has substantially upgraded the recreational facilities on the Montclair State University campus. Mr. Hall received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.

Ranked fifth among the top regional universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, Montclair State University is New Jersey's largest comprehensive university and second largest institution of higher education in the state. It offers the advantages of a large university - a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs, and a diverse faculty and student body - combined with a small college's attention to students.

Bob Quarteroni is director of Public Relations at Montclair State University.

| Home Page |