Lighting the 'Torch of Knowledge': Rowan to dedicate Education Hall
Lighting the 'Torch of Knowledge': Rowan to dedicate Education Hall
April 21, 2006
In a ceremony that will pay tribute to the University's past and illuminate its future, Rowan University will officially dedicate Education Hall, its new, $28.5 million home for the College of Education, on Wednesday, April 26, at 11 a.m.
Rowan President Dr. Donald Farish will join with Interim Provost Christy Faison, College of Education Dean Carol Sharp and Board of Trustees Chair Kathleen Matteo as they dedicate the building by jointly lighting a ceremonial "Torch of Knowledge."
The lighting of the torch signifies both the University's rich history?Rowan was founded in 1923 as a Normal School to train South Jersey teachers?and Rowan's bright future as the University continues to teach future educators and educational leaders.
Before the construction of Education Hall, the College of Education's six departments shared space with other University disciplines in two separate buildings.
Now, the College is unified in a three-story, 135,000-foot facility that houses academic departments, the John J. Schaub Suite with its Open Computer Lab and Instructional Materials Center, three teaching computer labs, a distance learning center, three specialized teaching labs, observation/instructional rooms, five Health and Exercise Science labs, 163 offices, and 17 technology-enhanced general learning spaces.
The building also includes specialized centers such as the Reading Clinic, Special Education Assessment Clinic, Early Childhood Demonstration Center, the Student Services Center, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the Education Institute, and the Professional Development Center.
Education Hall allows the College to not only serve Rowan students, but also meet the needs of beginning teachers and continuing teachers through its Education Institute, Sharp said. The building, which will include an early childhood development center, will serve as a resource for people across the continuum of the educational process?from preschool to the doctoral level, Sharp noted.
"Now that we're all together, the College is able to truly live its Learning Community," says Sharp. "We support learners and teachers at every point in their career paths and this building helps us do it better. It's a warm, student-centered environment."
Also during the dedication ceremony, students from the select choir at Johnstone Elementary School in Vineland will perform the "Education Hall Rhapsody," an original rap song written for the occasion by Donna Hathaway Cook, chair of Rowan's Department of Special Educational Services/Instruction. The Glassboro High School Select Choir also will perform.
Following the ceremony, members of Rowan's Kappa Delta Pi academic honor society will lead visitors on tours of Education Hall.
The University broke ground on Education Hall on Feb. 25, 2004. The College began moving into the building last Thanksgiving.
Rowan's teacher education program is recognized as one of the largest in the country. Altogether, 2,500 students are enrolled in College of Education courses and degree programs. The college offers undergraduate and graduate curricula in elementary and secondary education and a doctoral degree in educational leadership.
The dedication ceremony is open to the public.
Rowan President Dr. Donald Farish will join with Interim Provost Christy Faison, College of Education Dean Carol Sharp and Board of Trustees Chair Kathleen Matteo as they dedicate the building by jointly lighting a ceremonial "Torch of Knowledge."
The lighting of the torch signifies both the University's rich history?Rowan was founded in 1923 as a Normal School to train South Jersey teachers?and Rowan's bright future as the University continues to teach future educators and educational leaders.
Before the construction of Education Hall, the College of Education's six departments shared space with other University disciplines in two separate buildings.
Now, the College is unified in a three-story, 135,000-foot facility that houses academic departments, the John J. Schaub Suite with its Open Computer Lab and Instructional Materials Center, three teaching computer labs, a distance learning center, three specialized teaching labs, observation/instructional rooms, five Health and Exercise Science labs, 163 offices, and 17 technology-enhanced general learning spaces.
The building also includes specialized centers such as the Reading Clinic, Special Education Assessment Clinic, Early Childhood Demonstration Center, the Student Services Center, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the Education Institute, and the Professional Development Center.
Education Hall allows the College to not only serve Rowan students, but also meet the needs of beginning teachers and continuing teachers through its Education Institute, Sharp said. The building, which will include an early childhood development center, will serve as a resource for people across the continuum of the educational process?from preschool to the doctoral level, Sharp noted.
"Now that we're all together, the College is able to truly live its Learning Community," says Sharp. "We support learners and teachers at every point in their career paths and this building helps us do it better. It's a warm, student-centered environment."
Also during the dedication ceremony, students from the select choir at Johnstone Elementary School in Vineland will perform the "Education Hall Rhapsody," an original rap song written for the occasion by Donna Hathaway Cook, chair of Rowan's Department of Special Educational Services/Instruction. The Glassboro High School Select Choir also will perform.
Following the ceremony, members of Rowan's Kappa Delta Pi academic honor society will lead visitors on tours of Education Hall.
The University broke ground on Education Hall on Feb. 25, 2004. The College began moving into the building last Thanksgiving.
Rowan's teacher education program is recognized as one of the largest in the country. Altogether, 2,500 students are enrolled in College of Education courses and degree programs. The college offers undergraduate and graduate curricula in elementary and secondary education and a doctoral degree in educational leadership.
The dedication ceremony is open to the public.