Dr. Rodney Smith to be Inaugurated as President of Ramapo College

(Mahwah) – Dr. Rodney D. Smith officially will become the third president of Ramapo College of New Jersey in an investiture ceremony scheduled May 2 in the Berrie Center’s Sharp Theater on the College’s campus. In his remarks, Smith will present his vision for Ramapo in a talk entitled, "Ramapo College of New Jersey: Leading International Understanding and 21st Century Partnerships." Expected to attend the inauguration are delegates from other colleges and universities, faculty and staff of Ramapo College and from Hampton University (VA), where Smith held the position of vice president for planning and dean of the Graduate College. Also planning to attend are Ramapo’s two former presidents, founding President George T. Potter, who served the College from 1969 – 1984 and Adelphi President Robert A. Scott, who was president of Ramapo from 1985 to 2000.

Following the ceremony, an outdoor reception will be held outside the Mansion. Former U.S. Senator Paul Seward Trible, Jr., president of Christopher Newport University in Virginia, will be the guest speaker at a brunch prior to the investiture ceremony. Dr. William R. Harvey, president of Hampton University, will speak at the inaugural dinner.

Ramapo College is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as number two among comprehensive colleges in the north. Ramapo also is recognized by the John Templeton Foundation as one of America’s "character-building colleges" because of its emphasis on service learning and student leadership. The College’s mission is focused on the four "pillars" of a Ramapo education: international, intercultural, interdisciplinary and experiential.

On-campus housing demand has grown during recent years with more than 85 percent of freshmen choosing to live on campus. Construction is underway on a 528-bed apartment complex and slated to begin soon on a sports and recreation center, an environmental education center, and the Marge Roukema Center for International Education and Entrepreneurship.

Tickets will be required for those attending the ceremony. Please call Bonnie Franklin, (201) 684-6844, to reserve a ticket.