Excellence in Science

Marcia Daley Bradley, Ph.D. ‘62

Marcia Daley Bradley, Ph.D. has been on the cutting edge of entomological research and teaching.  She received two grants from the National Academy of Science to research how insects genes can be altered by predictable responses to different external stress.  The results were published in the British journal, Comparative Chemistry and Physiology.

Graduating from Caldwell College in 1962 with a major in biology and minors in philosophy and chemistry, Marcia worked at Merck Pharmaceutical before beginning study and research at New Mexico State University.  Seven years of effort culminated in the doctoral degree. Marcia’s major research was on the effect of external factors on the biological rhythms of a desert wasp and how diet changes and humidity affected cotton bollworm.  She was selected the Outstanding Graduate Student by the Entomological Society of America in 1975.

Returning east, Dr. Bradley accepted a teaching and research position at Monmouth College, where she also directed the Honors Program.  During this period, Marcia Bradley was appointed by Governor Brendan Byrne to the New Jersey State Environmental Board of Advisors. Her assignment was on the gypsy moth sub-committee which issued study results in 1982 favoring an integrated approach to containing the environmental pest.  This report led to the nation’s most accurate and aggressive response to the gypsy moth problem.

Currently teaching Anatomy and Physiology to health field students at Ocean County College, Marcia has developed a new course, “The Nature of Science and the Human Body” for students requiring only one semester of science.  Dr. Bradley’s research has focused on lyme disease in wild rats. She has published numerous papers on insects, dealing with protein, hormone maturation and stress responses. Dr. Bradley has the honor of being included four times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  She was also recognized as the Person of the Year (2003) by the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund. She is Chair of the Ocean County College Citizens Advisory Board for the Educational Opportunity Fund.

Married to David Bradley, Marcia has one son, Dylan.

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Communication

Charlotte Kunst ‘47

Charlotte Kunst’s professional accomplishments in the corporate and scientific sector are strongly paralleled by leadership positions in church, community and college.

Recently retired from Hoffman-La Roche, Charlotte’s career spanned over 40 years of the pharmaceutical corporation’s growth.  A Biology major, she advanced from the laboratory to the research library to an editorial department which she established and managed.  Her sensitive position required the scientist’s exactness in specifying ingredients and proportions the executive’s control in dealing with federal and advertising agencies, and the “human-ness” of the liberal arts graduate to translate pharmaceutical discoveries into critical information for physicians and medical professionals.

Charlotte’s organizational effectiveness is constantly sought in the religious field.  She includes in her prestigious service: Secretary and Public Director of the Newark Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and Governor of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae.  Today, she continues as one of the two trustees of Holy Name Church in East Orange, is on the Parish Council, serves on the liturgy and finance committees, is a cantor and choir member, is in charge of the lectors, and is a Eucharistic minister.

Within the Nutley community, Charlotte’s efforts have been focused on education through the local branch of the American Association of University Women.  She has participated in the art and literature groups and she has been involved on a long term basis in the scholarship program for Nutley High School seniors.  Between 1969-1971, Charlotte was AAUW branch president and continues to serve in a variety of positions.

Charlotte has volunteered at the Glen Ridge Children’s Library and currently volunteers at the Montclair Art Museum, the Van Vleck House and Gardens (Montclair), and, occasionally, at the Morris Museum and the Montclair Historical Society.  She is a vocalist and the secretary of the Oratorio Society of New Jersey and formerly sang with the Mt. Carmel Funeral Choir of Montclair. In 1992, Charlotte received a Certificate of Recognition from the Volunteer Centers of Greater Essex County in appreciation of her volunteer services to the community.

One of Caldwell College’s most prominent and consistent supporters, Charlotte has been active in the Alumnae Association since her graduation.  An early Alumnae President, her efforts are most visible in the scholarship program, which she has headed for more than 25 years. Numerous contributions to the College include previous membership on the Caldwell College President’s Council and current chair of the Friends of Music which organizes the post-concert receptions for the Caldwell College Concert Series.

Excellence in Music

Florence Mercurio Riggs ‘63

Florence Mercurio Riggs has a B.A. in Voice from Caldwell College and a Master’s Degree in Voice and Opera from the Manhattan School of Music, New York City.  She has been teaching vocal technique since 1963 and vocal toning/soundings workshops since 1984 in her own California studio. At one time she was on staff of the music department of California State College, Fullerton, California.  Her professional and academic students wish us to add: innovative, spiritual, musically and personally gifted, professionally successful.

Florence has been performing since junior high, singing in a wide variety of styles and venues including opera, musical theaters, jazz, pop, classical concert stage and New Age music.  She has shared the Broadway stage with Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun, Angela Lansbury in Mame, TV with Marlo Thomas in “That Girl,” Bob Hope in concert, the New Jersey Symphony as guest soloist, and the Caldwell College stage in its 60th Anniversary Alumnae Concert.

Florence was instrumental in co-founding five music improvisation groups.. “Song, Waves 1,” “Song Waves 2, “Voce Arcana,” “Musement,” and “Gala Mama.”  As a member of the Independent Composers Association, she contributed to the concept of a non-jazz, improvised, spontaneous mode of vocal music, called “Toning,” which includes overtone singing, also known as harmonic chanting.  As a vocal teacher, her desire to pass on her knowledge and expertise has helped to enhance and expand her students in the use of their voices in a more creative way. ‘Gala Mama’ performs as a duo using the mysterious and meditative sounds of Tibetan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls and a wide variety of other Tibetan and percussion instruments, as well as voice, harmonics and extended vocal techniques. ‘Gala Mama’ has donated their time and humanitarian work with children at risk through the ‘Children of the Night’ Foundation.

A few of the innumerable professional artists who have studied with Florence include: Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Syreeta Wright, Carnie and Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips), Barry Bostwick (Spin City), Michael McKean (Spinal Tap and Laverne & Shirley), Dixie Carter (Designing Women, Family Law), Sam Harris (Star Search), Paulo Costanzo (Joey), Dale Kristien (The Phantom of the Opera), Martin Short, Jeff Goldblum, Helen Slater, Shawn Cassidy, Debbie Boone, Michael Pinder (Moody Blues), and more.  Two California throat specialists refer patients for vocal therapy and technique in Florence’s private studio. Record producers do the same.

Florence’s joy of teaching and performing encompasses her passion “to assist each person’s ability to grow and evolve as a creative human being.” Her enthusiasm rings with her mission, “to help each person become more aware of the Presence of the Divine infused within” and “to use the subtle energies of the body to maintain spiritual, physical, and mental health through the use of the voice.  Each sound or vibrational frequency creates an effect on the human energy system so why not use it to the best of our abilities with our God-given gift? Then we are empowered to go fourth in Life and make our unique contributions, musical and otherwise.”

When receiving the Veritas Award in 1990, Florence attributed her achievements and strong spiritual motivation to “the beautiful, gentle, powerful spirit of the Dominican Sisters at Caldwell College, I will always be grateful for their education. .” Florence resides and teaches in Sherman Oaks, California.  She has one daughter, Ariel Noel Riggs.