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Photo: From left are Associate Vice President of Administration and Finance Kevin Garvey, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Pam Ferguson, Vice Chair of the University Board of Trustees John Galandak, University President Richard J. Helldobler, Executive Director of the School of Continuing Education Bernadette Tiernan, College of Education Dean Amy Ginsberg, Vice President of Administration and Finance Steve Bolyai, and Provost Joshua Powers.
William Paterson University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 27 to mark the acquisition of 1800 Valley Road, a 56,000-square-foot office building situated on 11 acres in Wayne.
“This is the latest step in the continued development of William Paterson University,” said President Richard J. Helldobler. “This space represents a new way of thinking, operating and—most importantly—doing the work of the University in different ways. We are seeking to become less reliant on tuition and fees by generating new revenue and building non-traditional enrollment.”
President Helldobler pointed to the history of the University, which began as a teacher’s college in Paterson and has evolved into a large, comprehensive university. “Clearly, the William Paterson of today is the result of a willingness to change and adapt…Now, as the world—and higher education in particular—change around us, we need to change and adapt even more rapidly.”
Purchased earlier this year for $1.75 million, the building will house a range of revenue-generating and academic programs including the University’s School for Continuing and Professional Education, Office of Sponsored Programs, and high school dual enrollment initiative.
Bernadette Tiernan, executive director of the School of Continuing Education, said the new building will provide additional classroom space and computer labs, small group meeting areas for counseling and advising, and space for networking in a location that is convenient and accessible for the wide variety of students they serve, from precollege youth through adult professionals.
“We deliver transformational learning opportunities,” said Tiernan. “We know our students are personally motivated to succeed; this building provides the space to deliver all the support services they need to thrive.”
The new facility will also provide a dedicated space for the University’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, as well as its Cannabis Institute, created last year to provide evidence-based scientific and economic information on topics related to cannabis and opioid drugs. Several general education classrooms and seminar rooms will be available as well, easing capacity issues in the University’s 1600 Valley Road building, located right next door, which houses the College of Education and Cotsakos College of Business. The building will also potentially house a child development center, which would provide an academic learning environment for our future teachers.
The 1800 Valley Road facility was recently renovated by its previous, corporate tenant, and requires only interior redesign to provide University-specific spaces, such as classrooms. That work is expected to start this winter, with the hope that programs can begin moving into the building as early as spring 2020.
The University made the purchase of 1800 Valley Road with funds set aside for capital improvements; no operating funds were used.
