JAMESTOWN, ND, (August 21, 2013) – Jamestown College has changed its name to University of Jamestown to better reflect the breadth of its educational offerings at all levels – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral, and to recognize significant growth and change in its 130-year history.

President Robert S. Badal, says, “As a private institution known for integrating the liberal arts and the professions, Jamestown is growing and adapting to the new higher education marketplace.”

     

With a master’s degree in education now offered fully online, an online RN to BSN program for nurses, as well as the school’s first doctoral program (which is also the first program not based in Jamestown), university status comes at a time when enrollment this fall is expected to be at a five-year high with a 19 percent increase in freshmen over last year and a 6.7 percent increase in overall headcount.

The change to University of Jamestown also reflects continued outreach with partners in Africa, China,  South Korea and Vietnam, as well as the goal of increasing international student enrollment by five percent.

UJ-presDr. Badal says, “Internationally, the term ‘college’ is often associated with secondary level education. By adopting the university name, we are opening doors that will support our enrollment goals.”

The Board of Trustees voted on the name change this spring after gathering input from stakeholders.

Polly Peterson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, says, “In anticipation of this decision, we reached out to countless alumni and friends through phone conversations, surveys and personal visits.   Alumni expressed commitment to the success of our great institution and shared deep pride in the direction we have taken in the past 10 years. They are excited about the future of their school, and, knowing that all that makes Jamestown great is only reinforced through this decision, they are strongly supportive of our move to University status.”

Considerable investment in the campus and technology has been made in recent years, including the McKenna Thielsch laboratory building for science and nursing. Over the past 10 years, more than $24 million has been invested in campus construction and technology projects.

UJ-wide pres1In addition, to the logo change, the web site URL domain and E-Mail address will eventually be changed. Once the new URL domain and E-Mail address are established, there will be a 6-12 month transition period, during which time the address now used will be re-directed.

About the University of Jamestown

Established as Jamestown College in 1883, the University of Jamestown is a private, liberal arts university granting bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of science in nursing degrees as well as master’s degrees in education and a Fargo-based doctor of physical therapy. The University of Jamestown offers more than 40 areas of study. With the Jamestown Journey to Success, emphasis is placed not only on preparing students academically in their chosen areas of study, but also on preparing students through an experience that is student-centered and integrates the liberal arts with sound professional programs.

Effective July 31, 2013, University of Jamestown PT Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates that the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses and that the program is progressing toward accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation.