Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University
Name	Fairleigh Dickinson University
Established	1942
Type	Private
City	Teaneck / Florham Park
State	New Jersey
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Burgundy and blue
Nickname	Knights

Fairleigh Dickinson University. Founded in 1942 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Peter Sammartino and his wife Sally Sammartino, it has grown from a junior college into New Jersey's largest private institution. The university is named for Fairleigh S. Dickinson, co-founder of the medical technology giant Becton, Dickinson and Company, whose family provided crucial early support. It operates on two primary campuses in New Jersey and maintains a significant international presence.

History

The institution was established in 1942 as the Rutherford College of Liberal Arts, initially operating from the former Edward Williams Library in Rutherford, New Jersey. With a transformative gift from Colonel Fairleigh S. Dickinson, the school was renamed in his honor in 1956. A period of significant expansion followed, including the acquisition of the former Estate of Florence Vanderbilt Twombly in Madison, New Jersey, which became the Florham Campus, and the purchase of the Teaneck Campus from the Orthodox Church in America. Under the lengthy presidency of Dr. J. Michael Adams, the university further developed its global mission, establishing the first American university campus in Wroxton, England and a branch in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Campuses

The university's two main residential campuses in New Jersey are the Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck and the Florham Campus in Florham Park and Madison, New Jersey. The Teaneck Campus is situated along the Hackensack River and houses the Silberman College of Business and the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The Florham Campus is located on the historic former Estate of Florence Vanderbilt Twombly, featuring Georgian-style architecture and the Mansion at its core. Internationally, the university operated Wroxton College in Oxfordshire, England, for over five decades and previously maintained locations in Vancouver and Antigua.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the Maxwell Becton College of Liberal Arts, the Silberman College of Business, and the Gildart Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" and offers a range of programs from bachelor's to doctoral degrees. Notable specialized schools include the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the PublicMind polling institute. The university has a longstanding commitment to global education, once requiring an international experience for all undergraduates and maintaining partnerships with institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.

Student life

Student life is centered around the activities and organizations on each campus, with over 100 clubs ranging from academic honor societies to cultural groups. The Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck features the Student Union Building as a major hub, while the Florham Campus offers traditional residential life in settings like the Twombly and Hamilton Hall dormitories. Greek life is present with chapters of national fraternities and sororities, including Phi Sigma Kappa and Alpha Sigma Tau. Major annual events include homecoming celebrations and the International Festival.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Knights, compete primarily in the NCAA Division III as members of the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC). The Metropolitan Campus fields teams in the MAC Freedom conference, while the Florham Campus teams compete in the MAC Commonwealth. Notable sports include basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer. The university also has a storied history in men's basketball, famously defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as politics, business, entertainment, and sports. In government, notable figures include former Governor of New Jersey James Florio and former United States Ambassador to Sweden Azita Raji. Business leaders include former CEO of L'Oréal Jean-Paul Agon. The entertainment industry is represented by actress Michele Lee and filmmaker Kevin Smith, who filmed parts of *Clerks* on the Florham Campus. Sports alumni include NBA player Desi Rodriguez and Olympic medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson.

Category:Universities and colleges in New Jersey Category:Educational institutions established in 1942