Rowan College at Burlington County is inviting the community to celebrate its the new partnership with Rowan University as it unveils its new look on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
This summer, the former Burlington County College has renamed and rebranded itself as part of a new partnership with Rowan University that will soon make it possible to earn a university degree on the Mount Laurel campus for about $30,000.
“Everywhere I go, I meet a student or a parent who is shocked that we have created a pathway toward a $30,000 four-year degree, when they are used to seeing that price for just one year at many universities throughout the nation,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton said. “I am happy to assure them that we have achieved a victory against the affordability crisis in higher education, and invite everyone to celebrate this momentous occasion for our students.”
Guests are invited to enjoy free t-shirts, refreshments from the Rowan College at Burlington County’s culinary arts program, and participate in hands-on activities led by the college’s talented faculty in areas such as biology, psychology and criminal justice. The college’s radio station, and arts and crafts stations for children will add to the festive occasion.
At the center of the event’s happenings is the unveiling of the new Rowan College at Burlington County logo, which was selected with input from more than 400 faculty and staff members and nearly 1,700 students and alumni.
“I am proud to call myself a Rowan College at Burlington County alum and I look forward to this new chapter in the college’s history that will preserve access to high-quality and affordable education in our county,” said Burlington County Freeholder Director Mary Ann O’Brien, whose legal career began as a paralegal student at the then-Burlington County College. “This is a proud time for our college, county and everyone who works and lives in Burlington County.”
Another alumni who will be highlighted in the program is Mount Laurel resident and former Student Government Association (SGA) President Liz Woodward, Class of 2012, who recently drew national attention by picking up the diner tab for two firefighters coming home from fighting an overnight blaze.
“Our alumni succeed in many ways whether in business, government, the military or in small acts of kindness that embodies the spirit of service to others,” President Drayton said. “This partnership is all about increasing access and opportunity for the next generation of students so they may succeed more quickly, and with less debt.”
To offer students attending the event an even greater savings, the college will hold a drawing for a free, three-credit, regularly priced course. Students must be registered by Aug. 18 for at least 12 credits for fall 2015, the college’s first semester as Rowan College at Burlington County.
The ceremonial logo unveiling will occur at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18 in the rear of Votta Pavilion at the Enterprise Center on the Mount Laurel campus. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Guests are asked to RSVP at www.bcc.edu/logo-event-rsvp.
About the partnership:
All students who graduate from Rowan College at Burlington County with a 2.0 grade point average will be conditionally accepted to Rowan University. Some programs, such as engineering, nursing and performing arts, have additional requirements.
Beginning in January, Rowan University will begin offering general studies on the Mount Laurel campus with a 15 percent discount that makes it possible to attain a bachelor’s degree for a total of $30,000. Additional programs will include electrical and computer engineering, liberal studies, computing and informatics, nursing, mechanical engineering and a masters in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.
Rowan College at Burlington County students will also have access to online-degree completion programs in psychology, law and justice, and general studies.
