Mark Hurwitz ’74 ’82 – How Passion Fuels a Legacy
November 2024
Hurwitz leading the American Line Forward as National Commander, Crown Point, NY, 2009
This year commemorates fifty years since two-time Kean alumnus, Mark Hurwitz, earned his first degree at Kean. Upon graduation, Mark worked first as an art teacher for several years until transitioning into a career in the print marketing industry. Today, through his work as Vice President of Sales at Hummel Integrated Marketing Solutions in Union, New Jersey, he remains very close to his alma mater.
When reflecting upon the last fifty years, Mark shared, “I am most grateful for the impact that Kean has had upon my life, not only because of the education I received and the friends I made, but because Kean is where I met my wife through mutual friends.” Mark added, “My time at Kean not only shaped my career and family life but fueled a passion and hobby that has led to a legacy as a long-time member of the Brigade of the American Revolution.”
With the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution beginning next year, it is timely to take this opportunity and shine a light this important area of Mark’s life that was initially inspired by his time at Kean and has grown onto a national stage.
As many know, the Brigade of the American Revolution, www.brigade.org, is a nationwide organization that is dedicated to accurately portraying the American Revolutionary War. Members of the Brigade commemorate and educate the public about the American Revolution through living history events, military encampments, and tactical exercises, allowing people to experience the era firsthand through both military and civilian reenactments.
Hurwitz Narrating 235th Anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth, 2013
Mark initially joined the Brigade in 1974 after attending an event on Kean’s campus which was hosted by The Third New Jersey Regiment, better known as the “Jersey Blues”, a member unit of the Brigade of the American Revolution. For Mark, it was this local event that sparked a lifelong passion for educating the public about the significance of the American Revolution and its enduring message for all Americans today.
The following year, in 1975, Mark participated in his first uniformed event, at the Bicentennial of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. This event helped to kick off the eight-year long celebration of America’s bicentennial anniversary. And then a year later, Mark participated in another two bicentennial events in his home state of New Jersey, namely the reenactments of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, the “Ten Crucial Days”.
Today, Mark has been involved in the Brigade for 50 years and has served in many key leadership roles. Through his extensive involvement with the Brigade, Mark’s passion has certainly fueled a personal legacy—one that not only gives him personal satisfaction but also has an extraordinary impact on educating others about the significance of the American Revolution.
His leadership capabilities have been recognized on a national level. Namely, Mark has served two terms as National Commander (President) of the Brigade from 1993 to 1997 and again from 2009 to 2013. He also has served as the public narrator or “Voice of the Brigade” since 2013. And as a member of the Brigade, he consulted on the PBS documentary entitled “Liberty – The American Revolution” in 1997.
Mark also coordinated numerous significant reenactment events, including the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Springfield in 2005, the 350th Anniversary of Elizabethtown at Liberty Hall Museum in 2014, and the 240th Anniversary of the Battle of Short Hills in 2017.
Mark’s contributions to the Brigade of the American Revolution are remarkable. Throughout the last fifty years, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to preserving and celebrating American history. His work not only honors the past but also ensures that the stories of those who fought for independence continue to resonate today. Through his efforts, he embodies the spirit of historical dedication and community engagement, making him a significant figure in the realm of American heritage.