The university plans to hand out its first 'university' diplomas in March, but graduates can already order a new diploma with the new name online.
UPDATE: Why N.J. college for adults was upgraded to university status
TRENTON -- The institution of higher education for adults formerly known as Thomas Edison State College unveiled itself as a university Monday, capping a year-long effort for the status change.
It has a new name, Thomas Edison State University, a new seal, a new website and plans to construct a new brick archway at its downtown Trenton headquarters proclaiming its new name.
The university plans to hand out its first 'university' diplomas in March, but graduates can already order a new diploma with the new name online, the university said.
"We have evolved into a large, comprehensive institution with diverse academic offerings that serve a wide range of students and organizations - here in New Jersey, throughout the country and around the world," university president Dr. George A. Pruitt said in a statement.
"For us, being known as a university is important because it more accurately describes the type of institution we have become and better reflects the success we have had expanding our graduate programs," Pruitt said.
The then-college announced in December 2014 it was applying to become a university.
In December, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks granted the college university status, and at its December board meeting, the College's Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing the name channge, which took effect Dec. 21.
The college was founded in 1972 as Edison College and its first class included 70 graduates who earned associate in arts degrees.
The institution has since grown to offer course study through several platforms, from traditional classrooms at its several locations in Trenton, to distance learning and online study.
The university is currently constructing a new building at West State and Calhoun streets that will house the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. The $26 million project is expected to open this year.
The university touts itself as "enabling adult learners to access undergraduate and graduate courses and leverage prior learning to earn credit using a variety of devices and platforms, regardless of their location."
"We really invented what has come to be known as the portfolio process as a way of examining prior learning and determining if it is equivalent to what is learned in a college course," William J. Seaton, provost and vice president, said in a statement.
"We were also the first regionally accredited institution in the country to offer an entire degree program completely online. Once we opened those windows, it became a game changer," Seaton said.
Thomas Edison State University now serves more than 18,600 students from all 50 states and internationally who are enrolled in degree-granting programs in more than 100 areas of study. The university has more than 50,000 alumni from every state and more than 70 countries.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
