SPOTLIGHT : UNION COLLEGE
The Union College Board of Trustees recently announced that the institution ’ s official name will be updated to include the word “ university ” and that Dr . DJ Washington will serve as interim president when current president Dr . Marcia Hawkins retires June 30 , 2024 .
UNIVERSITY STATUS
During President Hawkins ’ 12 years of service , she has led a series of initiatives that have dramatically expanded graduate and online programming and enrollment . Additionally , a new program for graduate international students , launched in 2021 , has grown substantially . Including the word “ university ” in Union ’ s name will better represent these additions and will reflect Union ’ s full identity as a level IV graduate degree granting institution .
Further , with a broader recruitment base to consider , the word “ university ” will appeal to a wider range of students . In the U . S ., “ college ” typically indicates a school that offers only undergraduate courses . Beyond the U . S ., “ college ” often connotes vocational schools or an extension of high school .
“ We are by definition already a university ,” says Hawkins . “ Union will embrace its identity as such by proudly proclaiming its university status .”
Page 62 — The Times-Tribune • Community Guide 2024