It's official. Say good-bye to The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Say hello to ...Stockton University

Stockton University is New Jersey’s newest institution of higher learning, as the Board of Trustees voted on Feb. 18, 2015 to change Stockton’s official designation and name from that of a college to a university.

The name change took effect Wednesday at the public school in Atlantic County, less than a week after the state approved its application for university status.

“Since its founding in 1969, Stockton has had many names, but one consistent mission: excellence in teaching, dedication to learning, and a tradition of community service,” said President Herman Saatkamp. “In becoming a university, we honor those values while continuing our journey as an environment for excellence and a partner in New Jersey’s social and economic development.”

Stockton has been known at various times as Richard Stockton State College, Stockton State, and most recently, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Stockton has about 8,500 full-and part-time students. The school's trustees voted in September to petition the state for the status change.

Colleges tend to be smaller and offer only undergraduate and some graduate degrees. Universities also offer masters and doctorate degrees.

Stockton will become a comprehensive university — meaning its emphasis will be more on teaching than research — like Kean University in Union and William Paterson University in Wayne. Faculty research and faculty-mentored student research would continue, but the change would not result in increased demands for faculty research and publication.

New Jersey has three public research universities: Rutgers, Rowan in Glassboro, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.

Stockton officials have said they hope university status will help raise the school's profile, attract more students and faculty, and boost fundraising.

Graduates in May will be the first to receive a diploma from Stockton University, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Stockton College President Herman Saatkamp said the school has already begun preparing new signs and logos, though they will be phased in gradually, the report said.

(Taken, in part, from Stockton University news)

 

 

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