Centenary was founded as the Centenary Collegiate Institute (CCI) by what was then known as the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1867. The name was chosen to commemorate the centennial of Methodism in the United States.[8] It was built at a cost of $200,000. George H. Whitney, D.D., was president from 1869 to 1895.[9]
Beginning as a coeducationalpreparatory school, CCI became a girls only institution in 1910. In 1940, it became a "junior college." In 1976, it became a four-year "Centenary College" for girls offering associate and bachelor's degrees with men allowed to pursue degrees only at night courses. In 1988, men were allowed to attend full time. In 1995, master's degree programs were introduced.[8] In 2016, Centenary College was granted University status by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education.[10]
In 1886, a 19 year old kitchen worker named Tillie Smith was "outraged" and murdered in a field just off campus. A janitor at CCI named James Titus was convicted of the crime based on circumstantial evidence strongly influenced by yellow journalism. Authors and historians generally consider this to be a false conviction but debate over the facts continue perennially through dark tourism ghost tours, theatrical performances, books and Weird NJ magazine articles.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
On Halloween night, 1899, the original five-story CCI building burned to the ground in a fire.[18][19] The Seay Administration Building, also called Old Main, was designed by architect Oscar Schutte Teale in a RenaissanceBeaux Arts style[20] and built on the ruins of the original structure in 1901.[7]
The Centenary Stage Company, a professional Equity theater, has been operating on campus since 1985.[25][26] In 1992, a "Women's Playwright Series" development program offers grants, workshops, prizes and world premieres for the underserved voice of women in theater.[27][28] Centenary also offers an intensive musical theater program for intermediate and advanced young performers.[29][30]
In 1999, Centenary founded the Center for Adult and Professional Studies program. In 2011, the program was renamed the School of Professional Studies.[6]
Enrollment
In 2019, Centenary reported enrollment of 1,119 students.[31] Centenary was the first college in the State of New Jersey to require service education as a condition of graduation.[citation needed]
Centenary University Main campus is located in Hackettstown, New Jersey. The Centenary Equestrian Center located in Long Valley provides riding and education facilities for its Equine Studies Department.[32] The college also operates two satellite learning centers located in Parsippany[33] and Edison, New Jersey[34] to service its adult student programs.
Hackettstown Campus
The main campus of Centenary University is home to most of the school's academic, administrative, athletic and collegiate activities, as well as housing for its undergraduate students. It consists of ten main buildings and eight residence buildings.[35] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1997, for its significance in architecture.[7]
Seay Building – Classrooms, Whitney Chapel, Student Activities Center: Career Development Center, #theVibe, Student Life Suite; the LittleTheater,[37] Main College Offices: Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Bursar, Campus Life, Advancement, Marketing & Communications, Financial Aid, Health Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, President's Office
Brotherton Hall – Professor offices, Classrooms
Ferry Building – Classrooms and small music hall
Harris & Betts Smith Learning Center – Academic Success Center, Student Veterans Organization, Disabilities Services Office, Classrooms
Littell Technology Center – Classrooms, Graphics Department, ENACTUS office
Lackland Center – Classrooms, Dance Studio, Dining Center, Sitnik Theatre, Edith Kutz Black Box Theater, TV studio, WNTI Radio Studio[37][38]
Reeves Gymnasium – Athletics Department, Gym, Pool, Weight Room, Wrestling Center
Smith Hall – International Studies Department
The William H. and May D. Taylor Memorial LibraryTaylor Memorial Library – Library, Print Shop[39]
Trevorrow – Science and Fine Art Building; Classrooms, Labs, Fashion Department, Science Department
Residence halls
Anderson – Co-ed (Co-ed floors, male only and female only rooms)
Bennett-Smith – Apartments (Co-ed floors, male or female only suites)
Founders – Apartments (Co-ed floors, choice of male only, female only, or Co-ed suites)
Lotte – Co-ed (male only and female only rooms)
Reeves – Co-ed Freshmen only (1st and 2nd floor male only and female only rooms, 3rd floor female only)
Smith – Co-ed International & Freshmen only (1st floor international, 2nd and 3rd floor male only and female only rooms)
Van Winkle – Co-ed (Male only and female only rooms)
Washabaugh – Co-ed (Male and female only floors: 1st floor: male, 2nd floor: female)
Equestrian Center
The Equestrian Center is located in Long Valley, New Jersey. It consists of several large paddocks, an outdoor eventing course, two indoor arenas and one outdoor arena. The Equestrian Center sits on 65 acres (260,000 m2) of land.
In 2007 and 2012 Centenary Equestrian Center hosted the American National Riding Commission Championships, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone Finals, and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Championships.[40]
Parsippany Center
The Parsippany campus is home to Centenary's School of Professional Studies faculty and staff. This location boasts a small cafe, offices for staff, a student computer lab, a student workroom, and 13 classrooms operating with a broadband WiFi network. Classes take place in the evening for the benefit of working professionals.[citation needed]
Edison Center
The Edison office serves as a satellite location for the Centenary School of Professional Studies. This location consists of six classrooms, two offices, a small conference room, a small dinette, a student work room, and a wireless broadband network. The building complex hosts a cafeteria and ample parking.[citation needed]
Athletics
Centenary University teams participate in eight NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. The Cyclones joined the Colonial States Athletic Conference for the 2007–08 season, after having been a member of the Skyline Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, soccer and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, equestrian, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball. Students enrolled in the college's Equine programs may participate in competitions through intercollegiate organizations such as the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, the Intercollegiate Dressage Association, or with the Hunter/Jumper's Club.[citation needed]
Noted athletic achievements
In 2009 Centenary's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team won the National Championships in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lindsay Clark, a Centenary Student, also won the USEF/Cacchione Cup.[41]
The 2010 women's soccer team won the CSAC Championship,[42] earning them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.[citation needed] The 2013 and 2016 men's soccer teams replicated this feat.[42]
^"Library". Centenary University ™. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
^[1][permanent dead link] "In 2007 Centenary Equestrian Center hosted the American National Riding Commission Championships, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone Finals, and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Championships."
^"Centenary’s Kimball Chosen by Nationals in 12th Round."Archived 2012-02-10 at the Wayback Machine, Centenary College of New Jersey press release dated July 7, 2006. Accessed January 13, 2008. "A graduate of Hackettstown High School, and a resident of Great Meadows NJ, Centenary has been a terrific fit for Cole’s most recent two seasons."
