ACR178

A Concurrent Resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Rowan University.

Whereas, 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rowan University; and

Whereas, In September 1923, Rowan University, then named the Glassboro Normal School, opened as a two-year teacher training school with 236 students enrolled; and

Whereas, In the 1930s and 1940s, the college was at the forefront of the special education movement and gained a national reputation when it opened a clinic for children with reading disabilities that was later expanded to include physical therapy for the handicapped; and

Whereas, Thereafter, the college received worldwide attention and helped ease Cold War tensions when it hosted an historic summit conference between President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin on the university campus in 1967; and

Whereas, Over the years, Rowan University has continually increased its educational services, curriculum offerings, facilities, and campuses to provide a wide variety of opportunities to its students; and

Whereas, To reflect its growing educational services, the college changed its name numerous times over the years, most notably in 1992, when it became Rowan College of New Jersey after receiving a historic $100 million gift from Henry and Betty Rowan, and then again in 1997, when the college received university status and became Rowan University; and

Whereas, Today, Rowan University enrolls approximately 20,000 students, offers 90 bachelor’s, 48 master’s, two professional, and nine doctoral degree programs, and is one of only four universities in the nation with medical schools granting both D.O. and M.D. degrees; and

Whereas, Rowan University’s athletic program has won 11 Division III national championships and continues to be recognized as one of the premier athletic programs in the country; and

Whereas, Rowan University is consistently recognized for its educational programs; in 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rowan University within the top 100 of public national universities and The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2022-2023 Almanac recognized that Rowan University is the third fastest-growing public research university in the nation; and

Whereas, During the past 100 years, Rowan University has evolved from a two-year teacher preparation school to a nationally ranked public research university; and

Whereas, It is therefore altogether fitting and proper that the Legislature recognize Rowan University’s contributions to its students and the State by commemorating the centennial of its founding; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature hereby commemorates and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rowan University.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor of the State of New Jersey and to the president and members of the board of trustees of Rowan University.

STATEMENT

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rowan University.

Over the past 100 years, Rowan University has evolved from a two-year teacher preparation program to a nationally ranked public research university. When the university opened its doors in 1923, it enrolled 236 potential teachers. Today, Rowan University enrolls approximately 20,000 students and offers 90 bachelor’s, 48 master’s, two professional, and nine doctoral degree programs. It is also one of only four universities in the nation with medical schools granting both D.O. and M.D. degrees.

Rowan University has continually evolved to provide more opportunities for its students while simultaneously gaining national recognition. Rowan University became a leader in the special education movement in the 1930s and 1940s when it opened a clinic for children with reading disabilities that was later expanded to include physical therapy for the handicapped. The university received worldwide attention during the Cold War when it hosted an historic summit conference between President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin on its campus.

Among its accolades, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rowan University within the top 100 of public national universities in 2022. The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2022-2023 Almanac also recognized that Rowan University is the third fastest-growing public research university in the nation.

The Legislature commends Rowan University for its contributions to its students and the State over the past 100 years and honors Rowan University on the centennial of its founding.