William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2010-08-01 / 8. szám

ABOVE: Priscilla and August Molnár in 1995.

LEFT: Prof. Molnár, his sisters, their children and grandchildren gather at the AHF's 50th Anniversary Carousel Ball in 2005 .

It was a wise investment for the elder August. The Carnegie Hall concert on Feb. 17,1957, was a tremendous success. The AHF recouped it expenses and raised quite a bit more. More importantly, many people got involved, and it proved to be a great salvo for the Foundation.

Prof. Molnár received yet another booster of support a year later. Unbeknownst to Prof. Molnár, a recording was made of the all-Bartók concert with the royalties earmarked for the Foundation. This gift kept giving for several more years as the records were sold.

Besides the monetary benefits, the best reward from this experience, Prof. Molnár believes, was that it not only appealed to the Hungarian audience, but also attracted the American audience and introduced many Americans to the best of Hungarian cultural traditions.

The timing of this concert was significant, as well. Sandwiched between the conception of the concert in 1955 and the actual perfomance in 1957, was the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. This historical event sparked interest in Hungary, its people and their culture in America. "We sold the idea of donating for scholarships for Hungarian students, and we got people involved,"Prof. Molnár said. In effect, the Revolution and its cause shined a light on the Foundation, which in turn aided the refugees. Prof. Molnár persuaded Elmhurst to accept refugees as students for an intensive six-week course in English to introduce them to the English language so that they could continue their studies.

By 1959, the American Hungarian Studies Foundation had relocated to New Brunswick. ("Fifty years-my gosh!" Prof. Molnár says, sounding both slightly awed and bemused.) Since then, the Foundation has grown under Prof. Molnar's guidance. In the early 1960s research was the primary goal and within 10 years, these goals were attained in sharing Hungarian history, culture and heritage with America. In 1974 the name was changed to the American Hungarian Foundation, reflecting the Foundation's broader cultural and research program. By 1987 ground was broken for the Foundation's new site, housing its museum, archives and library.

Smiling, Prof. Molnár recalls the Foundation's former and much smaller location at 177 Somerset St. He mentions his son August Jr. and daughter Katherine, who "grew up with the Foundation." They-much like he did as a youngster-joined their father at his work. Often they would pitch in cleaning up the office and help send out mailings. Along with Priscilla, it was truly a family effort, supporting the Foundation.

By 1989, with the new building completed, the dream came to life. "Early on, when we were planning this building, we became a part of the redevelopment [of New Brunswick], We did this to stabilize the community." Prof. Molnár acknowledges with gratitude the many individuals, institutions and organizations that made this possible. He emphasized the importance of the building for saving collections of artifacts. "We say this often here that we collect, conserve and celebrate," he said. "We collect and conserve the traditions and then we celebrate those traditions."

"You know," Prof. Molnár continues, "my father came here as a Hungarian, but he worked as an American. So, we continue to work in that same way."

Prof. Molnár and his family settled in New Brunswick and this is where he has remained for 51 years. New Brunswick proved to be an excellent fit for both Prof. Molnár, as well as the Foundation. Within this city is the highest concentration of Hungarian Americans in the state of New Jersey. A short distance from New York City, this is where so many from the Magyar homeland found work and assimilated to American life. And, it continues today. The Hungarian Americans of New Brunswick are proud of their heritage and show it. They continue to support several active Hungarian churches of various denominations and the still-succesful Hungarian American Athletic Club.

The city is also proud of it's Sister City affiliation with Debrecen, Hungary, for more than 20 years. This isn't merely a title, and Prof. Molnár, who serves on the New Brunswick Sister Cities Association, explains their activities. Each year, there is a week-long student exchange program with middle-school students. These "little ambassadors" from both cities represent the youth as a bridge to better understanding of our different cultures.

Walking around the city, it is evident that his is a noticeable face in the community. Prof. Molnár has a gentlemanly, engaging personality and passersby greet him, as he notices them, too. He is known and respected by everyone from the parking lot attendant at City Hall to the city's mayor. "I became active in municipal life, not politically, but to help out here and there." His activities beyond the walls of the Foundation include serving on the Community Advisory Board of the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, being a founding member of The Mason W. Gross Foundation, as well as many other professional and academic societies. Along with this, he has been an active member of WPA Branch 19 and has served

20 0 August 2010 0 William Penn Life