Do you know Rowan University's original name? School celebrating a century of learning

Phaedra Trethan, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·3 min read
2
An American flag flies in front of Bunce Hall at Rowan University in Glassboro, on Monday, March 28, 2022.
An American flag flies in front of Bunce Hall at Rowan University in Glassboro, on Monday, March 28, 2022.

Rowan University — formerly Glassboro State College, formerly New Jersey State Teachers College, formerly Glassboro Normal School ― is turning 100 years old.

Monday, Sept. 4 is the school's official 100th anniversary, and the annual President's Welcome and Picnic will include the new marching band, Pride of the Profs, walking with first-year students from residence halls, under the Rowan arch and onto the campus green. More events are planned throughout the academic year.

We took a look through the university's history to bring you some of its notable events.

Don't worry: There won't be an exam afterward.

Glassboro's first college commuters

The first class of 236 students, including 30 who arrived as commuters via the West Jersey Depot train station, began their higher education at the New Jersey State Normal School at Glassboro in September 1923, according to Barbara Baals, assistant director for media and publications at Rowan University.

Why build it in the 'Boro?

Glassboro was chosen as the school's location thanks in part to 107 borough residents and business owners, who pooled a little more than $7,000 to purchase land and donate it to the state to establish the school. "More than the money or the land alone," the school's website notes, "what persuaded state officials to choose Glassboro was the support the actions of these local citizens demonstrated."

A leader in special ed; the impact of the GI Bill

In 1934, despite the Great Depression, the school expanded to a four-year college.

The school opened a clinic in 1935 for children with reading disabilities. In 1937 its name was changed to New Jersey State Teachers College at Glassboro. A physical therapy program for disabled people opened in 1944, making the Glassboro school one of the first in the nation to recognize the need for specialized education.

Top, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM Station Manager Derek Jones looks on as Cody Cronin hosts his morning show in the studio on the Rowan University’s campus Friday. Above left, Jones looks through the station’s library of music. Above right, a historic image provided by WGLS.
Top, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM Station Manager Derek Jones looks on as Cody Cronin hosts his morning show in the studio on the Rowan University’s campus Friday. Above left, Jones looks through the station’s library of music. Above right, a historic image provided by WGLS.

Veterans returning from service in World War II could take advantage of the GI Bill at a junior college program created by the school's second president, Dr. Edgar Bunce, in 1946. The third president. Dr. Thomas Robinson, expanded the school's curriculum, increasing enrollment and adding several buildings to the campus.

Introducing Glassboro State College

In 1958, the school became known as Glassboro State College. In 1969, its Camden campus opened.

A thaw in the Cold War, right here in South Jersey

There are advantages to being a midway point between Washington, D.C. and New York City (home of the United Nations), and the South Jersey college was the beneficiary of that geographic serendipity in 1967. President Lyndon Johnson met with Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin at Hollybush, a historic summit between two leaders whose nuclear-armed nations were at odds, strategically and philosophically.

A big gift; another new name: Rowan University

It was the largest gift to a public college or university to date: In 1992, Henry Rowan donated $100 million to the college, which soon changed its name to recognize the transformative impact that donation would have. Rowan and his wife Betty asked that the institution create a College of Engineering; in 1997 the school became Rowan University and its engineering school soon became nationally-renowned.

Rowan University benefactor Henry Rowan (right) is best known for a 1992 gift of $100 million that transformed Glassboro State College into what is now Rowan University. Rowan and his family have now donated $15 million to the Rowan University College of Engineering through its foundation.
Rowan University benefactor Henry Rowan (right) is best known for a 1992 gift of $100 million that transformed Glassboro State College into what is now Rowan University. Rowan and his family have now donated $15 million to the Rowan University College of Engineering through its foundation.

The school's expansion continued: In 2012, the first class at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the first new medical school in New Jersey in 35 years and the first program for M.D.s in South Jersey, began attending classes at its Camden campus.

Rowan is also in the process of building a fossil park and museum on a parcel in Mantua, thanks in part to a $25 million gift from Ric and Jean Edelman. In January, Smithsonian Magazine named it among its Most Anticipated Museum Openings. The museum is set to open in the spring.

This year's incoming freshmen, the Class of 2027, is approximately 2,700 students. The university received 21,000 applications this year — the most in its history.

If you have a story about Rowan University or Glassboro State College you'd like to share, email rowan100@rowan.edu

For more information about Rowan University's Centennial, visit https://sites.rowan.edu/centennial/

Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has called the region home since 1971. She washed out of Glassboro State College after a couple of semesters and has been kicking herself about it ever since. Contact her at ptrethan@gannettnj.com, on Twitter @wordsbyPhaedra, or by phone at 856-486-2417.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Rowan celebrates 100 years: Quick facts about the Glassboro school