Preceded by Peter M. Mitchell Succeeded by Herman Saatkamp | Religion Baptist Name Vera Farris | |
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Children King Farris; three grandchildren. Alma mater Tuskegee Institute
University of Massachusetts Amherst Profession Distinguished Professor and President Emerita Died November 28, 2009, Pomona, Galloway Township, New Jersey, United States Residence Galloway Township, New Jersey, United States Education University of Massachusetts Amherst, Tuskegee University | ||
The Vera King Farris Podcast EP 1- Colton Van Cleave
Vera King Farris (July 18, 1938 – November 28, 2009 in Pomona, New Jersey) was the third president of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey from May 25, 1983 to June 3, 2003. She was the first female African-American president of a New Jersey public college and one of the first in the nation.
Contents
- The Vera King Farris Podcast EP 1 Colton Van Cleave
- Early life and education
- Academic career
- College administration
- Civic life
- Legacy and honors
- References
A scientist with a doctorate in zoology, she taught at State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brockport, and the University of Michigan. She advanced into administrative positions, serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kean University.
Early life and education
Farris was a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey and attended Atlantic City High School, graduating third in the class of 1954. She attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), graduating with a degree in biology in 1959. She later earned master’s and doctorate degrees in zoology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Academic career
Farris held administrative and teaching positions at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brockport, and the University of Michigan.
College administration
Farris served at Kean College (now Kean University) as Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In 1983, she was selected as president of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, serving until 2003. According to the college, she was the first female African-American president of a New Jersey public college, and one of the first in the nation. Farris directed the college through a period of expansion and change, increasing enrollment and adding to facilities. She emphasized academic excellence and is credited with leading the College to become a "nationally ranked institution, and increasing SAT scores, minority enrollment and retention."
As a professional scientist, she supported major initiatives in sustainability, such as "one of the world’s largest geothermal heating and cooling systems." Capital construction during her term included the Sports Center, West Quad Health Sciences Building, and the Arts and Sciences Building, designed by the internationally known architect, Michael Graves. The college also adopted practices to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. Construction of residential buildings increased the appeal of the campus for students.
Farris established "one of the nation's first Holocaust Resource Centers and the first Master's program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies." She also endowed a chair in the department in her mother's name.
Civic life
Farris was the first African-American woman selected for the Board of Directors of Flagstar Companies, owner of Denny's Restaurants. She was a member of Seaview Baptist Church in Linwood, New Jersey for more than 25 years.
Farris retired to Galloway Township, New Jersey. Upon her retirement in 2003, the College renamed its main road "Vera King Farris Drive" in her honor. She died November 28, 2009 at the age of 71 after a brief illness and is buried in Germania Cemetery in Galloway Township.