View source for Organization:Rider University

{{Short description|Private university in Lawrence Township, New Jersey}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Rider University
 | image                  = Rider University shield.svg
 | image_size             = 150px
 | motto                  = In Omnia Paratus ([[Social:Latin|Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = In all things prepared
 | established            = {{start date and age|1865}}
 | type                   = Private university
 | academic_affiliations  = {{unbulleted list <!--consortiums and organizations-->
|CIC<ref name="CIC">{{cite web| url=http://www.cic.org/about/membership/members.asp | title=Current Institutional, International, and Associate Members |publisher=Council of Independent Colleges University | access-date=2008-03-18}}</ref> 
|NAICU<ref name="NAICU">{{cite web| url=http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp#R| title=Member Directory| publisher=National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities| access-date=2008-03-18| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109231238/http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp#R| archive-date=2015-11-09}}</ref>
|Sea-grant
}}
 | endowment              = $44.4 million, Rider; $20 million Westminster Choir College (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>
 | president              = Gregory G. Dell'Omo
 | faculty                = >200 full time<ref name="Glance">{{cite web| url=http://www.rider.edu/139_55.htm | title=Rider at a Glance | publisher=Rider University | access-date=2008-03-18}}</ref>
 | students               = 3,693
 | undergrad              = 
 | postgrad               = 
 | city                   = Lawrenceville
 | state                  = New Jersey
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = {{Coord|40.280|-74.738|region:US-NJ_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = suburban, {{convert|303|acre|km2}}<ref name="Glance"/>
 | colors                 = Cranberry and Grey<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.rider.edu/sites/default/files/docs/news-graphic_standards_manual.pdf |title=Rider University Graphic Standards Manual and Editorial Style Guide |access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref><br/>{{color box|#981E32}}&nbsp;{{color box|#6C6F70}}
 | nickname               = Broncs
 | sporting_affiliations  = NCAA Division I<br />{{bulleted list|
|MAAC (primary)
|MAC <small>(wrestling)</small>
}}
 | website                = {{URL|www.rider.edu}}
 | logo                   = Rider University wordmark.svg
 | logo_size              = 200px
 | former_names           = Trenton Business College (1865–1896)<br>Rider Business College (1896–1920)<br>Rider College (1920–1994)
}}

'''Rider University''' is a private university  in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. It consists of four academic units: the Norm Brodsky College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services, and Westminster College of the Arts (consisting of the School of Fine and Performing Arts and Westminster Choir College).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-22|title=Colleges & Schools|url=https://www.rider.edu/academics/colleges-schools|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Rider University|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Temperance Hall, Trenton, NJ.jpg|thumb|left|Temperance Hall, 1865, the original home of the Trenton Business College]]

The school was founded as '''Trenton Business College''' on October 1, 1865, by Henry Beadman Bryant and Henry D. Stratton, operators of the Bryant and Stratton chain of private business schools. The school was located in Temperance Hall at the corner of South Broad and Front Streets in Trenton, New Jersey. Andrew J Rider was appointed as its first president.<ref name="philadelphia.about.com">[http://philadelphia.about.com/od/colleges/p/rider_univ.htm Rider University - A Profile of Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ]. Philadelphia.about.com (2009-08-20). Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> President Rider owned 500 acres of cranberry bogs near Hammonton, New Jersey. According to tradition, this is why the school colors are cranberry and white.

The school grew and periodically moved to larger quarters. In 1896 women were admitted. In 1896 the school was renamed '''Rider Business College'''. President Rider stepped down the following year.<ref name="philadelphia.about.com"/>

In 1920 the institution moved to East State Street in Trenton and officially became known as '''Rider College'''. In 1922 the New Jersey Board of Education granted Rider College permission to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Accounts and Bachelor of Commercial Science. In 1957 Rider Business College introduced liberal studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree.<ref name="philadelphia.about.com"/>

In 1959 Rider College moved its campus to a 283-acre suburban tract on Route 206 in Lawrence Township, N.J. On November 15, 1961, President Franklin F. Moore (a 1927 alumnus of the college) announced the gradual reorganization of the college into five separate schools, each headed by a dean who would report to the provost. The changes took effect with the 1962–63 academic year. The five schools included a new School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.rider.edu/news/2011/11/17/golden-plan | work= rider.edu | title=A Golden Plan | date=2011-11-17 | access-date=2012-02-20 | first1=Sean | last1=Ramsden}}</ref>

[[File:Williamson Hall.jpg|thumb|Williamson Hall at Westminster Choir College]]

Rider College merged with nearby Westminster Choir College (WCC), located in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1991–92. The campus of Westminster became the Princeton campus of Rider College. On April 13, 1994, the college became Rider University.<ref>[http://www.rider.edu/about About Rider | Rider University]. rider.edu. Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> In 2007 President Mordechai Rozanski announced the creation of the School of Fine and Performing Arts to integrate the Lawrenceville and Princeton campuses and expand programming for the arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comm.rider.edu/ridernews/html/sections/2006_2007/01_09_22_06/news/01_newsstory.html|title=The Rider News|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>

Today, Rider's Lawrenceville campus is home to its College of Business Administration; College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences; College of Continuing Studies, School of Education, and part of the Westminster College of the Arts, which is also located on the Princeton campus.

In 2005 Rider completed its {{convert|63000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Student Recreation Center (SRC), a 186-bed residence hall, and three-story additions to Ziegler and Hill Residence Halls. The SRC contains locker rooms, a {{convert|3600|sqft|m2|adj=on}} fitness room and various athletic facilities.<ref>[http://www.rider.edu/athletics/directions-facilities/student-recreation-center/facilities Facilities | Rider University]. rider.edu. Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref>

Rider University's bonds have been rated as junk since 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heyboer |first1=Kelly |title=N.J. university’s ‘junk’ bond status downgraded again as money concerns grow |url=https://www.nj.com/education/2021/07/nj-universitys-junk-bond-status-downgraded-again-as-money-concerns-grow.html |website=www.nj.com |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref>

===Presidents===
Rider has had seven presidents:
#Andrew Jackson Rider (1866–1898)
#Franklin Benjamin Moore (1898–1934)
#Franklin Frazee Moore (1934–1969)
#Frank N. Elliott (1969–1990)
#J. Barton Luedeke (1990–2003)
#Mordechai Rozanski (2003–2015)
#Gregory Dell'Omo (2015–present)

==Academics==
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences comprises 13 departments, offering a wide array of more than 70 undergraduate majors and minors. The college also offers master's degrees inBusiness Administration, Education, and Journalism.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=College of Liberal Arts and Sciences|url=https://www.rider.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Rider University|language=en}}</ref>

===Rankings===

''U.S. News & World Report'' ranked Rider University tied for 22nd in the Regional Universities North category in 2016.<ref name="Rider University">{{cite magazine |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rider-university-2628 | title=Rider University | magazine=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=November 29, 2015}}</ref> ''{{wipe|Forbes}}'' ranked Rider University 485th on its "America's Top Colleges" list in 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/ |magazine=Forbes |title=America's Top Colleges |date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>

==Campus==

[[File:Centennial Lake at Rider University.jpg|thumb|left|Centennial Lake]]

The {{convert|280|acre|km2|adj=on}} Lawrenceville campus is in a suburban area three miles (5&nbsp;km) north of Trenton and five miles (8&nbsp;km) south of Princeton. There is a man-made lake with a bridge that allows students to cross easily. The Westminster campus is in Princeton, New Jersey.

===Academic buildings===

[[File:Science and Technology Center at Rider University.jpg|thumb|The Science and Technology Center]]

Birenbaum Fisher Hall (College of Education & Human Services), the Science and Technology Center (Sciences & Mathematics), the Fine Arts Center (Westminster College of the Arts & Communication), Joseph P. Vonna Academic Annex (Learning Resource Center), the Canastra Health & Sports Center, Anne Brossman Sweigart Hall (Norm Brodsky College of Business Administration), Lynch Adler Hall (History & Philosophy) contain the classrooms and laboratories for all curricula. Built in 2011, Lynch Adler hall is a [[Engineering:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]] silver certified, {{convert|21250|sqft|m2|adj=on}} academic building that stands next to Moore Library.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theridernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/100209_optimized.pdf | work=The Rider News | title= Rider University breaks new ground | date=2009-10-02 | access-date=2015-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2011/09/editorial_rider_university_con.html | work=The Times of Trenton | title=Editorial: Rider University construction projects elevate college to larger stage | date=2011-09-18 | access-date=2012-02-20}}</ref>

[[File:North Hall at Rider University.jpg|thumb|North Hall, built 2011]]

The Princeton Community Japanese Language School teaches weekend Japanese classes for Japanese citizen children abroad to the standard of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and it also has classes for people with Japanese as a second language.<ref name=PCJLS>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/a/pcjls.org/en_site/|title=Home (English)|publisher=Princeton Community Japanese Language School|accessdate=2023-03-04|quote=PCJLS Office 14 Moore Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 [...] Sunday Office Rider University, Memorial Hall, Room 301}}</ref> The main office of the school is in Princeton although the office used on Sundays is in Biernbaum Fisher Hall.<ref name=PCJLS/>

==Libraries==
[[File:Franklin F. Moore Library.jpg|thumb|The Franklin Moore Library]]

The Franklin Moore Library supports the academic programs with a collection of more than 481,000 volumes, 2,000 periodical titles, 650,000 microforms, 134 online databases, electronic access to 42,000 journals, and an audiovisual collection. Westminster Choir College's Talbott Library has specialized music resources including 75,000 books, music scores and periodicals, a choral music reference collection of more than 80,000 titles and more than 31,000 sound and video recordings.

Rider Libraries are the official depository for records created by the New Jersey Business Teachers Association and the Eastern Business Teachers Association. In special collectsion, there is a microfilm collection of Civil War Era diplomatic correspondence between the United States, France. and Great Britain. It also holds a major collection of Delaware Valley newspapers reaching back to the 18th century.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1970 |title=Rider College |url=https://archive.org/details/ERIC_ED038097/page/n113/mode/2up?q=%22rider+college+library+is%22 |journal=Goals for Higher Education in New Jersey. New Jersey Master Plan for Higher Education |issue=1 |pages=109 |via=archive.org}}</ref>

==Publications and media==
;''The Shadow Yearbook'': First published in 1923 two years after the institution officially changed its name to Rider College. The yearbook continues to be published each year by a student staff.
;''The Rider News'': The school's student newspaper, founded in 1930, is now published weekly on Wednesdays between September and May.
;WRRC-FM 107.7 The Bronc<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1077thebronc.com|title=107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>: Student-run radio station, founded in 1962.
;''Venture'': The literary magazine welcomes submissions from students’ art and literature focusing on any topic
;The Rider University Network (R.U.N.): The student organization produces television programs in the campus studio. Programs are broadcast on campus and online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comm.rider.edu/RUNetwork/|title=Rider University Network|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>

==Student life==
Currently on Rider's Lawrenceville Campus, there are more than a dozen Greek organizations. In addition to social Greek organizations, there are professional and honorary fraternities.<ref>[http://www.rider.edu/student-life/activities-organizations/fraternities-sororities Fraternities & Sororities], Rider University. accessed December 06, 2013</ref>

[[File:University House at Rider University.jpg|thumb|University House, one of the dorms devoted to Greek life]]

On March 30, 2007, 18-year-old student Gary DeVercelly died of alcohol poisoning after heavy drinking at a Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,262783,00.html Rider University Freshman Dies After Excessive Drinking at Fraternity House]. Fox News. Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> The incident was tied to a longstanding hazing tradition involving dangerous quantities of alcohol.<ref>[http://schoolviolencelaw.com/node/36 New Jersey: University Hazing Death]. School Violence Law (2012-02-05). Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> Two Rider University officials, including the dean of students, and three students were indicted for aggravated hazing;<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-3133396.html Indictments In N.J. Campus Hazing Death]. CBS News (2009-02-11). Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence.<ref>Hester, Tom. (2007-08-28) [https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-08-28-3957140900_x.htm Judge dismisses Rider U. hazing charges]. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved on 2013-09-04.</ref> Settlement of the civil lawsuit resulted in major policy concessions by the university.

===Theater===
[[File:Fine Arts Center and Yvonne Theater.jpg|thumb|The Fine Arts Center and Yvonne Theater]]

Westminster College of the Arts has a theater program. Several productions a year give students a variety of opportunities. They are a combination of musicals and straight plays. Professional performing arts facilities include The Yvonne Theater, The Spitz Studio Theater, and Bart Luedeke Arts Center.

==Athletics==
Athletic teams are nicknamed the Broncs. The school competes in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. As the MAAC is a non-wrestling conference, Rider's wrestling team competes as a member of the Mid-American Conference.

The intercollegiate sports program at Rider was started by coach Clair Bee in the 1920s. Two of the school's most famous athletic alumni are former Notre Dame basketball coach and current ESPN sportscaster Digger Phelps, who played basketball at Rider from 1959 to 1963, and Jason Thompson, who played basketball at Rider from 2004 to 2008 and was drafted by the Sacramento Kings.

The university competed in football until 1951, when the football team was disbanded.

In 2007, the university redesigned its athletic logo.<ref>Caputo, Mike. [http://comm.rider.edu/ridernews/html/sections/2006_2007/15_02_23_07/news/03_newsstory.html "University plans to revamp Bronc logo"], ''The Rider News'', Rider University, 23 February 2007.</ref>

==Notable alumni==

* [[File:RuPaul with All Stars 7 Contestants at LA DragCon 2022 by dvsross (cropped - Monet X Change) (cropped).jpg|thumb|141x141px|Monét X Change, drag queen and winner of ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4'']]In entertainment: Rider graduates include: Monét X Change, drag queen and winner of the fourth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind the love of Drag with Monet X Change – The Official Black Magazine |url=https://www.theofficialblackmagazine.com/monet-x-change/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>''
* In business: Rider graduates include: Mike Pulli, CEO of Pace plc;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pace.com/universal/investors/financial-announcements/2011/141211/|title=Regulatory News|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> Thomas O'Riordan, former CEO of American Sporting Goods Corporation;,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.forbes.com/profile/thomas-o-riordan/46441|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010191950/http://people.forbes.com/profile/thomas-o-riordan/46441|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2008|title=Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned|author=Zina Moukheiber|work=Forbes|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> Howard Stoeckel, CEO of Wawa; Kenneth Yen, CEO of China Motor Corporation; Meg Walsh, president of [[Medicine:Medscape|Medscape Consumer]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=438289|title=List of Private Companies Worldwide, Letter - Businessweek|work=Businessweek.com|access-date=29 May 2015}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and Chris Catalano, former CEO of School of Rock and past Chairman of Redbox.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/Research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=8157418&privcapId=110003731 |title=Executive Profile: Chris Catalano |publisher=Bloomberg Business |access-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref>
* In government: Rider graduates include: Nathaniel Barnes, Liberian Ambassador to the United Nations;<ref>[https://www.interdependence.org/programs-speaker/h-e-m-nathaniel-barnes/ Ambassador Nathaniel Barnes], Global Interdependence Center. Accessed March 29, 2022. "He briefly studied at the University of Liberia and worked as an intern in Liberia’s banking system before eventually going to the United States for college. He entered Rider University (then Rider College) in Lawrenceville, New Jersey in 1975 where he majored in finance."</ref> Craig Carpenito, former United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey;<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-appoints-craig-carpenito-interim-united-states-attorney "Attorney General Jeff Sessions Appoints Craig Carpenito As Interim United States Attorney, District Of New Jersey"], United States Department of Justice, January 3, 2018. Accessed March 29, 2022. "He received his B.A. from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark."</ref> Frederick W. Donnelly, former Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey; and Mark S. Schweiker, MA, 44th Governor of Pennsylvania.
* In sports: Rider graduates include: Florian Valot, professional soccer player for FC Cincinnati;<ref>[https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/florian-valot/ Florian Valot], Major League Soccer. Accessed March 28, 2022. "Played two seasons at Rider University where he made 34 appearances, scoring 13 goals and recording six assists."</ref> Jack Armstrong, 1990 Major League Baseball all-star and world champion;<ref>Coffey, Wayne. [https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/all-star-jack-armstrong-hoping-set-record-straight-steroid-era-article-1.273725 "Former All-Star Jack Armstrong hoping to set record straight on steroid era"], ''New York Daily News'', December 8, 2007. Accessed March 29, 2022. "Jack Armstrong was born in Englewood, raised in Neptune, N.J. and schooled at Rider College and the University of Oklahoma, where he became a No. 1 draft choice."</ref>Al Downing, 1967 MLB All-Star and strikeout champion and 1971 MLB Comeback Player of the Year;<ref>Richards, Charlene. [https://www.trentondaily.com/al-downing-first-african-american-pitcher-in-yankees-history/ "Al Downing: First African American Pitcher In Yankees History"], Trenton Daily, July 8, 2020. Accessed March 29, 2022. "After receiving advice from Philadelphia Phillies scout Bill Yancey, another great opportunity led him to attend Rider University."</ref> Stella Johnson, professional basketball player in WNBA and all-time leading Bronc scorer;<ref>[https://www.wnba.com/player/stella-johnson/ Stella Johnson], WNBA. Accessed March 29, 2022.</ref> Jeff Kunkel, professional baseball player; Caroline Lind, MBA, Olympic Gold Medal rower at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; Digger Phelps, ESPN college basketball analyst and former Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball coach; Bobby Smith, National Soccer Hall of Fame member; and Jason Thompson, basketball player in the NBA.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.gobroncs.com/ Rider Athletics website]

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[[Category:Private universities and colleges in New Jersey]]

{{Sourceattribution|Rider University}}