Note: This issue of Campus Update includes news that colleges and universities reported primarily during January–March 2020, before the coronavirus epidemic significantly affected campus operations. Campuses have needed to make many adjustments to their spring operations and future plans since then.

Celebrating Achievements

The U.S. Department of State recently announced the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most U.S. Fulbright Students and Scholars for the 2019–2020 academic year. The State Department recognizes institutions in each Carnegie Classification that had the highest numbers of their students (primarily recent graduates) and scholars (faculty members, researchers, and administrators) receive Fulbright grants. The Chronicle of Higher Education highlights the top-producing institutions in this international educational exchange program each year. Thirty CIC member institutions were highlighted in the students category: Butler University (IN), College of Saint Benedict (MN), College of Wooster (OH), Colorado College, Connecticut College, Denison University (OH), DePauw University (IN), Franklin & Marshall College (PA), Haverford College (PA), Ithaca College (NY), Kalamazoo College (MI), Kenyon College (OH), Lebanon Valley College (PA), Loyola University Maryland, Mills College (CA), Oberlin College (OH), Pitzer College (CA), Rhodes College (TN), Rollins College (FL), St. Edward’s University (TX), St. Olaf College (MN), Swarthmore College (PA), Trinity College (CT), University of Puget Sound (WA), University of Redlands (CA), University of Richmond (VA), Wabash College (IN), Washington & Jefferson College (PA), Washington and Lee University (VA), and Whitworth University (WA). Eight CIC member institutions were featured in the scholars category: Bucknell University (PA), Kenyon College (OH), Morehouse College (GA), Stetson University (FL), Trinity College (CT), University of Richmond (VA), Washington and Lee University (VA), and Wheaton College (IL).

In January, 119 U.S. colleges and universities received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation that indicates institutional commitment to community engagement by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Institutions are selected based on self-studies submitted to and assessed by a national review committee led by the Swearer Center for Public Engagement at Brown University. Thirty-three of the institutions classified in the 2020 cycle are CIC member institutions, including Averett University (VA), Azusa Pacific University (CA), Berry College (GA), Buena Vista University (IA), Calvin University (MI), Capital University (OH), Denison University (OH), Elizabethtown College (PA), Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (LA), Furman University (SC), John Carroll University (OH), Juniata College (PA), La Salle University (PA), Lafayette College (PA), Lipscomb University (TN), Loyola University Maryland, Maryville College (TN), Merrimack College (MA), Muhlenberg College (PA), Pitzer College (CA), Rockhurst University (MO), Roger Williams University (RI), Southern New Hampshire University, St. Mary’s University (TX), St. Norbert College (WI), Taylor University (IN), Sewanee: The University of the South (TN), University of Indianapolis (IN), University of Richmond (VA), Virginia Wesleyan University, Whittier College (CA), and Whitworth University (WA).

Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to advancing the public purposes of higher education, recently announced the 2020 recipients of the Campus Compact Impact Awards. Augsburg University (MN) was one of four recipients of the Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation and was recognized for its commitment to serving as an anchor institution in the Twin Cities, mobilizing institutional resources to benefit local neighborhoods, and driving inclusive economic growth in the region.

In March, Campus Compact announced the 290 students selected for the organization’s 2020 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows—the largest group to date. The cohort includes 96 students who are enrolled at CIC member institutions. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year fellowship for community-engaged college students from Campus Compact member institutions.

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) recently recognized two faculty members from CIC member institutions. In February, George C. Shields, a professor of chemistry at Furman University (SC), was one of two CUR members to be named a 2020 CUR Fellow, honoring his leadership and service as a role model in undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities. In April, the CUR Chemistry Division announced the 2020 recipients of its Outstanding Mentorship Award, which recognizes excellence in mentoring of undergraduate researchers. Geneive Henry, Charles B. Degenstein Professor of Chemistry and head of the chemistry department at Susquehanna University (PA), was one of three recipients.

In February, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) announced the 2020 recipients of its annual awards for innovative research, best practice, and exemplary leadership in educator preparation. Of the institutions and individuals who were honored during AACTE’s 72nd Annual Meeting, the Manhattanville College (NY) School of Education received the AACTE Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity for its Changing Suburbs Institute program. In addition, nine authors of the book Reclaiming Accountability in Teacher Education were selected as winners of the AACTE Outstanding Book Award—including Elizabeth Stringer Keefe, associate professor and director of graduate education at Stonehill College (MA).

In February, the Peace Corps announced the U.S. colleges and universities with the most Peace Corps volunteers among their graduates in 2019. Sixteen CIC member institutions, each with ten to 23 volunteers, made the “top colleges” list: Allegheny College (PA), Baylor University (TX), Bucknell University (PA), Colorado College, Denison University (OH), Eckerd College (FL), Furman University (SC), Gonzaga University (WA), Lewis & Clark College (OR), Pacific Lutheran University (WA), St. Lawrence University (NY), Saint Michael’s College (VT), University of Puget Sound (WA), University of Redlands (CA), Whitman College (WA), and Wittenberg College (OH).

Virginia Wesleyan University won the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ 21st annual statewide collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl held at the University of Lynchburg (VA) in February. The theme for the event was “Ethics and Higher Education.” (Photo courtesy of Virginia Wesleyan University)

Creating Partnerships

In February, the State of California and a coalition of eight public and private universities launched a first-in-the-nation pilot initiative designed to help students pay for college through public service while using a combination of federal and state funding. California Volunteers unveiled the Civic Action Fellowship in partnership with Dominican University of California; California Lutheran University; California State University, Stanislaus; California State University, Los Angeles; San José State University; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Merced; and University of the Pacific. As part of the Civic Action Fellowship, current undergraduate and graduate students will sign up as AmeriCorps Fellows and commit to serve their communities. Each partner university will design its own program within the California Volunteers model.

In February, four colleges in Pennsylvania—Dickinson College, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, and Muhlenberg College—announced a partnership to purchase renewable energy as a collective. Together they will purchase the largest amount of solar power of any group of independent higher education institutions nationally. Combined with other carbon neutrality efforts, the partnership will allow all four institutions to mitigate 100 percent of their emissions associated with electricity usage.

Virginia Wesleyan University and Lakeland University (WI) reached an exclusive agreement to jointly operate a campus in Tokyo with the name “Lakeland University Japan and Virginia Wesleyan University Global.” Lakeland University Japan, which has been operating for 30 years and is one of only two approved American universities in Japan, currently teaches 400 students from 30 countries in an English-speaking associate’s degree program. Initially, Virginia Wesleyan University Global will bring graduates from the two-year program to earn their bachelor’s degree at the university’s Virginia Beach campus. Eventually, bachelor’s degree programs will be added at the Tokyo campus, and the current curriculum and academic programming will be expanded.

In January, Alderson Broaddus (AB) University (WV) President James “Tim” Barry and Joan Propst, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, traveled to Arellano University (AU) in Manila, Philippines, to reaffirm the international nursing program partnership between the two universities. Through the partnership, students enrolling in the international nursing program are admitted to AU under AB’s admissions standards; students complete the first three years of their collegiate experience at AU and later transfer and graduate as a member of the AB community. (Photo courtesy of Alderson Broaddus University)

Bloomfield College (NJ) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) recently signed an articulation agreement for a doctor of pharmacy program. The agreement will allow Bloomfield College students majoring in biology or chemistry/biochemistry to enroll in the Fast Track to Pharmacy (PharmD) Program at Fairleigh Dickinson following their junior year at Bloomfield College.

Beginning this fall, John Brown University (AR) will offer students a BS degree in criminal justice as well as a BS or BA degree in cybersecurity. The new programs will be offered thanks to a partnership between John Brown and Bluefield College (VA). John Brown University students will take a portion of their credits through Bluefield’s online classes.

Several CIC member institutions recently established or expanded partnerships with community or technical colleges. Clarke University (IA) and Northeast Iowa Community College entered into a new dual admission partnership that will enable eligible students to complete their associate of arts or associate of science degrees at Northeast Iowa and then graduate from Clarke in two years with bachelor’s degrees in education, psychology, social work, nursing, business, computer information systems, or sport management. Mars Hill University (NC) and AB Tech Community College recently created the Mountain Lion-Trailblazer Promise: A Direct-Entry Admission Program. The program will streamline the process for AB Tech’s associate’s degree graduates to continue their education by pursuing bachelor’s degrees at Mars Hill. The University of Holy Cross (UHC) (LA) and Fletcher Technical Community College signed two articulation agreements. Fletcher students who complete associate of applied science degrees in business administration can transfer credits toward completion of bachelor of science degrees in business administration or accounting at UHC. In addition, a 2+2 program will allow Fletcher students in the associate of science in nursing program to complete the first two years of study at Fletcher and transfer all credit hours to UHC for completion of the bachelor’s of science in nursing. Anderson University (SC) and Spartanburg Community College (SCC) formed a partnership that establishes articulation pathways for SCC students seeking bachelor’s degrees in business administration, elementary education, or nursing. Anderson University also created a bridge program with Greenville Technical College (GTC). The agreement establishes articulation pathways for GTC students in associate of applied science programs in criminal justice, management, supply chain, marketing, paralegal, nursing, or human service who seek bachelor degrees in business administration, criminal justice, homeland security and emergency services, human services, organizational leadership, or nursing.

A new partnership among Wesleyan College (GA); Macon, Georgia; and the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) will offer college credit for women who are enrolled in GBHEM’s pastoral training program, the Course of Study. The Course of Study is designed for those who wish to serve as local pastors in the United Methodist Church and possibly pursue ordination as elders without taking the traditional seminary route. Women who are enrolled in one of Wesleyan College’s online degree programs (in business administration, accounting, or applied psychology) and who complete the Course of Study program may earn 36 credits toward their Wesleyan degree.

Colby-Sawyer College (NH) and Dartmouth-Hitchcock health care system recently announced an enhancement of their longstanding academic relationship that aims to address the increasing shortage of qualified health care professionals. With the support of a $3.2 million strategic investment from Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Colby-Sawyer will add five new majors in the health sciences, expand its undergraduate nursing program, and launch a new associate degree program designed to advance the education of current Dartmouth-Hitchcock employees.

Walsh University (OH) announced in January that it will transform its science division through a new partnership with Shimadzu, a multinational leader in the manufacturing of scientific equipment that has invited Walsh to join the Shimadzu Program for Academics, Research, and Quality of Life (SPARQ). This year, Walsh will upgrade its science lab equipment with an entire suite of Shimadzu’s newest, state-of-the-art analytical equipment valued at $1.1 million. Walsh faculty, staff, and students will be able to consult with the company’s scientists and industry experts, and Walsh science students will benefit from global learning opportunities, domestic and international internships, and entrepreneurial experiences.

In February, Gannon University (PA) announced a new partnership with Extreme Networks, a leading provider of wired and wireless networking hardware, cloud services, and applications for enterprises, data centers, and service providers. The partnership will elevate the delivery of the university’s cyber programs, bring new professional training opportunities to the region, and equip Gannon’s Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge with state-of-the-art networking technology.

Sweet Briar College (VA) and American Farmland Trust (AFT) recently agreed to collaborate on programming initiatives that will support the future of women in agriculture, natural resource management, and conservation. During the 2020–2021 academic year, the collaboration may include a conference on agriculture in Virginia, AFT presentations to Sweet Briar students, AFT internship opportunities for Sweet Briar students, use of the college as a host site for an AFT Women for the Land Learning Circle for the Mid-Atlantic region, and opportunities to partner on scientific field-based and social science research.

Ohio Dominican University (ODU) recently established partnerships with Grove City, Ohio, and the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce that will enable their employees and members to complete a wide range of business-related undergraduate or graduate degrees as well as certificate programs at a discounted rate. The academic offerings are available through ODU’s Educational Partnership Program, which is designed to help corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations provide employees with continuing educational options to foster innovation, retain top talent, and enhance professional credentials.

In January, Robert Morris University (RMU) (PA) announced an agreement with FedEx Ground, a leader in the ground package shipping industry, that will offer discounted tuition rates to 105,000 eligible employees throughout the FedEx Ground network in the United States and Canada. Eligible employees who enroll at RMU and attend in-person or online will receive discounted tuition rates for certificate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs; for doctoral programs, RMU will match FedEx Ground tuition assistance dollars according to company procedures. FedEx Ground is headquartered in Moon Township, which is also home to RMU.

Major Gifts, Grants, and Campaign Successes

Building upon its long-established leadership commitment to Native students in the region, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians recently awarded the University of Redlands (CA) a six-year, $5.9 million grant to support Native student scholarships, programming, and outreach to prospective Native students throughout southern California. The grant will extend the San Manuel Excellence in Leadership Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance and instruction for Native students and is matched by Redlands. (Photo courtesy of the University of Redlands)

Husson University (ME) in January announced that it had concluded its first comprehensive campaign, Shaping Our Future, which raised nearly $38 million in cash and pledges. The campaign led to the creation of 51 new endowed scholarships, strengthened the institution’s endowment, and will help fund a new building for the college of business.

Valparaiso University (IN) recently received a landmark $15 million deferred gift commitment from anonymous donors to establish an endowed fund for student scholarships. The commitment is the largest single gift for student scholarships in the university’s 161-year history. It will support Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million endowment campaign that is securing permanent resources for student scholarships, faculty development, and student programs.

Through the Abele Family Foundation, philanthropists Joan and Will (’61) Abele recently provided Ursinus College (PA) with the largest single private gift in its 150-year history—$11 million to support the Abele Scholars Program aimed at students from lower- and middle-income families. The pledge comes during the college’s 150th anniversary and carries Ursinus over the $100 million goal in its Keep the Promise comprehensive campaign.

A $6 million endowed gift from FamilyCare Health and the Heatherington Foundation will help bolster Willamette University’s (OR) new public health program. The gift, made in honor of FamilyCare Health President and CEO Jeff Heatherington, a Willamette alumnus, will fund ten annual scholarships, student research and internships, a pre-health program director position, and public health programming.

The College of St. Scholastica (MN) in December received the largest public and private grants in its 108-year history. The School of Nursing received a $2.8 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to fund the Advanced Nurse Education Workforce project, which will address primary care workforce shortages in rural and under-served communities. And a $1.1 million grant from the Manitou Fund of White Bear Lake will be used to complete a series of major renovations to the nursing department’s learning spaces.

In February, the College of Saint Rose (NY) received a $1.2 million grant from the Pussycat Foundation to support its Women’s Leadership Network and empower a select group of young women leaders, known as BOLD Scholars, to address important issues in their communities. This is the second grant over $1 million that the foundation has awarded this program. The Pussycat Foundation was founded by Helen Gurley Brown, best known for reinventing Cosmopolitan magazine, and was named after Brown’s favored term of endearment.

In January, Miles College (AL) received a $1 million gift from former NBA Hall of Fame athlete Charles Barkley, a philanthropist and Inside the NBA analyst. The gift helped lay the foundation to launch the college’s $100 million comprehensive campaign.

Philanthropists Ken and Kathryn Chenault donated $1 million to Morehouse College (GA) in January to continue funding for the Dr. Hortenius Chenault Endowed Chair in Math and Science and to support the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Restoration Project. Honoring the memory of Ken’s father, a Morehouse alumnus, the Chenaults established the endowed chair in 2005 to help Morehouse increase innovation, research, and student engagement in STEM fields. Ken Chenault is chair and a managing director of the venture capital firm General Catalyst and the former chair and CEO of American Express.

In January, Joan B. Johnson, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Johnson Products, bequeathed a $1 million gift to Spelman College (GA). Johnson, who passed away in September 2019, served Spelman as a trustee during the tenure of two college presidents. The gift will be used to support scholarships for students majoring in STEM fields and to renovate instructional spaces on campus.

In February, Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) trustee Thomas W. Palmer (’69) and his wife, Susan Palmer, contributed an additional $1 million to the university to create a $2 million endowment for the OWU Global Scholars Program. Each fall, the university invites a dozen incoming students to become Global Scholars in recognition of their passion for international issues and potential for high academic achievement; after completing the program requirements, Global Scholars receive $4,000 to apply to an international experience. Pictured: The Palmers (center) met with Ohio Wesleyan’s Global Scholars during a celebration of the couple’s support for the newly named Thomas W. Palmer ’69 and Susan Palmer Global Scholars Program. (Photo credit: James D. DeCamp)

In March, Franklin College (IN) was designated to receive a $1 million revocable estate gift from Michael W. O’Dell (’81), a member of Franklin’s board of trustees and a professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. The estate gift will be used to advance the sciences at Franklin College.

UNCF recently announced that it will award $1.2 million to four institutions participating in the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative—Dillard University (LA), Fayetteville State University (NC), Talladega College (AL), and Voorhees College (SC)—to establish Liberal Arts Innovation Centers. The initial investment from UNCF will provide up to $300,000 to each institution to create a campus-based or virtual Liberal Arts Innovation Center that focuses on merging STEM, health care, education, and finance into the liberal arts.

Two collections of microtonal music have a new home at Furman University (SC). Composer Johnny Reinhard, founder of the American Festival of Microtonal Music (AFMM), has donated his personal microtonal archive and the archive of the AFMM. Known for its sometimes unusual sound, microtonal music uses tuning structures different from the 12-note octave most people are familiar with.

New Institutes, Programs, and Majors

After careful deliberation and research, two CIC member institutions in South Carolina will soon expand their undergraduate residential programs from single-gender to co-ed. Columbia College (SC) will admit men as commuter students beginning this fall and will admit male students in residential and athletic programs beginning in fall 2021. Converse College (SC) will offer co-ed residential programs beginning in fall 2021. Under its university umbrella, Converse will maintain a Converse College for Women and expand its international school into an international college.

California Lutheran University announced in January the formation of a new school: The School for Professional and Continuing Studies includes the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program, the Center for Nonprofit Leadership, and a new Center for Lifelong Learning. The school aims to provide a continuum of educational experiences for post-traditional students.

Expanding its graduate degree offerings, Agnes Scott College (GA) will offer a master of science degree in data analysis and communication beginning in fall 2020. Students in the program will take courses that explore ethical use of technology and data, data analysis, and principles of data visualization, and will tailor their degree to their interests through elective courses.

Daemen College (NY) will offer a master of business administration program beginning this fall that includes concentrations in leadership and innovation, health policy and management, and international business. Students will be able to complete their MBA in 12 to 18 months; courses will be delivered online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format.

Limestone College (SC) will soon offer its second graduate-level program: an online master’s degree in social work. The program will build off of Limestone’s well-established bachelor’s degree in social work program, which is offered both in the traditional classroom setting and online.

Ferrum College (VA) will now offer two graduate degree programs: an education specialist (EdS) in teacher leadership and coaching, and a master of science in psychology. The programs will begin in fall 2020 and will be administered as online courses.

Alverno College (WI) in January launched two new master of science in nursing programs: a neonatal nurse practitioner program and a dual adult-gerontology primary and acute care nurse practitioner program. The neonatal program will prepare students to provide acute and critical advanced practice nursing care to pre-term and full-term newborns, infants, and children up to two years old. The dual program will prepare students to promote health, prevent disease, and manage chronic, episodic, and complex health conditions across adult populations.

Manchester University (IN) will offer a master of science in nutrition and nutrigenomics program (MSNGx). Nutrigenomics combines the study of nutrition and the relationship between an individual’s DNA, nutrition, and their health. In a 3+2 approach, students will complete their accelerated undergraduate study in three years on the university’s North Manchester campus and two years of professional study on the Fort Wayne campus. Manchester also will offer a standalone master’s degree to those who already have a bachelor’s degree in a related science.

Building on a successful bachelor’s degree program, King’s College (PA) will begin offering a master’s degree in athletic training in July. The two-year program will be open to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or a health sciences field. A program also has been established for students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.

Naropa University (CO) now offers a master’s program in religious studies with a yoga studies concentration that will offer rigorous academic and contemplative training in yoga through a combination of online coursework and in-person retreats. Naropa’s program is one of only a handful of graduate programs in yoga worldwide and is intended for yoga teachers and practitioners who seek to develop graduate-level expertise and linguistic proficiency in Sanskrit. It will prepare students for doctoral research in Indian yogic traditions, South Asian religions, Indology, and more.

Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH) has developed a new graduate degree in Catholic studies. The fully online MA in Catholic studies program, to begin this fall, will draw from across the humanities and sciences to create an integrated curriculum that deepens students’ Catholic vision of the world.

Trine University (IN) announced several new academic programs between January and March. Expanding its Franks School of Education, Trine launched a Montessori teacher education degree program that will lead toward state-recognized Montessori licensure for both undergraduate students and teachers already in the field. Trine’s Wade Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering will offer a bachelor of science program in mechatronics and robotics engineering, and Trine’s Department of Design Engineering Technology will offer a bachelor of science program in plastics engineering technology. A new bachelor of science program in actuarial science will be offered through Trine’s Jannen School of Arts and Sciences. The university also launched a master of science program in business analytics that will be offered through TrineOnline; the program will provide training in areas such as software and analytical tools, communication skills, finance, predictive modeling, statistical tools and techniques, and project management.

This fall, Ohio Wesleyan University’s Department of Economics and Business will add a new major in quantitative economics that will prepare students to analyze economic issues, explore theories, and predict future conditions using statistical procedures and mathematical models. The major will incorporate a balance of economic theory, mathematical tools, and field applications, while emphasizing the development of analytical skills.

Randolph-Macon College (VA) has established a major in engineering that will integrate engineering courses with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. The major will include courses that focus on engineering mechanics as well as courses that incorporate project-based design and analysis that apply foundation principles to complex real-world problems.

Rider University (NJ) recently launched a game and interactive media design major that provides students with foundational tools for game design and allows them to customize their studies to focus on specific areas of interest such as audio and music for game design, storytelling, graphics, and animation. Offered through Rider’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, the BA program combines coursework in design, communication, computer science, and other disciplines.

Cedarville University (OH) will begin offering a cyber operations major this fall. In addition to computer science and computer engineering courses, the interdisciplinary major will consist of eight new courses, including a required nontechnical class.

Rivier University (NH) will launch a bachelor’s degree in health science this fall. The program will provide students with a strong knowledge base in behavioral, natural, social, and health sciences, as well as business, policy, and risk management.

Opportunities for a four-year bachelor’s degree at Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) (SC) continue to expand, as SMC faculty members recently voted to add a fifth and sixth concentration—psychology and criminal justice, respectively—to the program. Starting this fall, bachelor of arts students at SMC will be able to choose two concentrations from among business, English, history, religion, psychology, and criminal justice—as well as taking a number of professional development courses.

New and Recently Renovated Facilities

Bridgewater College (VA) welcomed the campus community into the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons in February to celebrate the opening of the facility and the completion of the $13.2 million renovation and expansion project that transformed the Alexander Mack Memorial Library into a modern learning hub. The Forrer Learning Commons is home to the Alexander Mack Memorial Collections, Special Collections, the Morgridge Center for Collaborative Learning, and more. (Photo courtesy of Bridgewater College)

The University of La Verne (CA) recently opened the Ludwick Center for Spirituality, Cultural Understanding, and Community Engagement, which serves as an interfaith gathering place for students, faculty members, and the community to reflect, meditate, and engage in dialogue. Designed to promote religious and cultural tolerance while bringing together many of the university’s essential services under one roof, the center includes the offices of Civic and Community Engagement, International Services and Engagement, Center for Multicultural Services, and Religious and Spiritual Life.

The expansion of Albion College’s (MI) Dow Recreation and Wellness Center will soon be complete. With 11,000 square feet in new space and 7,000 square feet in renovated space, the $3.2 million project, will feature a new entrance and renovated lobby; an expanded weight room and cardio center; a multipurpose room for fitness, dance, or theatre classes; renovated locker rooms and restrooms; and offices for athletic administration staff.

Midway University (KY) will open the Hunter Field House this spring. The 20,000 square-foot recreational facility will provide an auxiliary gymnasium, an elevated walking track, weight room, locker rooms, a recruitment conference room, and coaching staff offices.

Name Changes and Campus Expansions

In March, Eastern University (PA) celebrated the opening of a new location near City Avenue in Philadelphia. Designed for adult students, the location will offer a variety of accelerated bachelor’s and associate degree programs with evening and online classes. The building features five classrooms with state-of-the-art instructional technology, conference rooms, a large meeting room, a computer lab, a student lounge and full kitchen, and student advising and support rooms.

In February, Alvernia University (PA) and I-LEAD, Inc. signed a purchase and sale agreement for the building located at 401 Penn Street in downtown Reading. The move puts Alvernia closer to making a reality of Reading CollegeTowne, a strategy of expanding the campus into the downtown area to continue its Franciscan mission of education, service, and community engagement. Alvernia plans to assume the building in June and will work to move the student-centered business incubator, powered by the university’s rebranded O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, into the first floor.

Cottey College (MO) recently announced the purchase of nearly three acres of property contiguous to campus. The owner of the property approached the college and presented the opportunity to purchase the land. The property will allow Cottey to increase its footprint and add acreage to help facilitate the campus master plan, including by expanding housing for third- and fourth-year baccalaureate students.

In January, Goodwin College (CT) kicked off 2020 by announcing its name change to Goodwin University. Redeemer University College (Canada) also changed its name in January—to Redeemer University.

Linfield College (OR) announced in February that it will officially change its name to Linfield University this summer.

Silver Lake College of the Holy Family (WI) changed its name to Holy Family College in September 2019, returning to its early roots.

Converse College (SC) will change its name from college to university in July 2021, after 55-years as a graduate degree-granting institution.

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