Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public university in Trenton, New Jersey, United States. The university is one of New Jersey's 11 senior public institutions of higher education. Thomas Edison State University offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Thomas Edison State College was approved by the New Jersey Board of Education in December 1971, and established on July 1, 1972. In 2015, the college was awarded university status.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The school is named in honor of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor who lived in New Jersey for the bulk of his adult life and gained encyclopedic knowledge of many subject areas through self-directed learning.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Campus

Thomas Edison State University moved into downtown Trenton in September 1979, at a time when other institutions were leaving cities. The 7-year-old university, which had spent three years at the Forrestal Center outside of Princeton, needed room for growth. At the same time, the state was looking for an appropriate tenant for the landmark Kelsey Building located adjacent to New Jersey's State House complex and the State House historic district, while the city sought to preserve the building's historic use as a school. Behind the Kelsey Building and the adjoining five restored mid-19th-century brick Townhouses is Petty's Run, which flows to the Delaware River. In the early 1730s, Petty's Run powered a plating mill, and by midcentury drove a steel furnace.<ref>"Benjamin Yard Iron Works and Petty's Run" Destination Tenton. Retrieved 2014-1-13.</ref>

The Kelsey Building

Built in 1911 by A. Henry Cooper Kelsey, the Kelsey Building is one of the architectural landmarks of the city.<ref name="The Kelsey Building, 1911">"The Kelsey Building, 1911" Trenton Historical Society. Retrieved March 7, 2014.</ref> It housed three other schools before serving as the headquarters for Thomas Edison State University. The architecture of the Kelsey Building is modeled after a Florentine palace, the Palazzo Strozzi. The main structure was designed in 1910 by world-renowned architect Cass Gilbert (designer of New York City's Woolworth Building).<ref>"Thomas Edison State College" Destination Trenton. Retrieved 2014-1-13.</ref> In 2011, the Kelsey Building celebrated its 100th anniversary.<ref>"Thomas Edison State University marks building's centennial with 'Cake Boss' replica" NJ.com. Retrieved 2014-1-13.</ref>

The university's campus has grown over the years and currently includes the Kelsey Building, the Townhouse Complex, the Center for Learning and Technology, and Kuser Mansion, all on West State Street. The Academic Center and Canal Banks Building are located on West Hanover Street. TESU provides students with research library services through its affiliation with the New Jersey State Library, located near the campus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University has been active in restoring several historic buildings of downtown Trenton, preserving the essence of the city's past and stimulating economic development.<ref>"Thomas Edison State College" NJ Higher Education. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref> In 2013, TESU announced the completion of a new nursing simulation lab (funded by Bristol Myers Squibb).<ref>"Thomas Edison State College unveils new nursing simulation lab in Trenton" NJ.com. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref> In 2016, the university celebrated the opening of the 34,360-square-foot Nursing Education Center at the site of the former Glen Cairn Arms apartment complex at West State and Calhoun streets.<ref>"Thomas Edison becomes Trenton’s first university" Trentonian.com. Retrieved January 13, 2016.</ref>

Artwork on campus

Painting by N. C. Wyeth, 1930, in the lobby

TESU houses a number of pieces of art including a N. C. Wyeth painting titled Reception to Washington on April 21, 1789, at Trenton on his way to New York to Assume the Duties of the Presidency of the United States,<ref name=gift>Template:Cite news</ref> the Quantum Ring sculpture,<ref>"Quantum Ring" Destination Trenton. Retrieved March 7, 2014.</ref> a bronze map of Trenton, and plaques in tribute to Thomas Edison,<ref>"BRONZE MAP OF TRENTON AND PLAQUES IN TRIBUTE TO THOMAS EDISON" Destination Trenton. Retrieved March 7, 2014.</ref> along with two collections. Inside the Kelsey Building, a lavishly decorated room was built as a special tribute to Prudence Townsend Kelsey.<ref name="The Kelsey Building, 1911"/> The Prudence Townsend Kelsey Memorial Room is a permanent exhibit space for the porcelain and art she and her husband, Henry Cooper Kelsey, collected on their annual trips to Europe."<ref>"ON THE MAP; In a College Building in Trenton, a Hidden Shrine to a Lost Love" New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2014.</ref> Paintings, porcelains and bronzes on display in the Memorial Room. The majority of the collections consists of souvenirs and mementos purchased by the Kelsey's on their annual trips abroad. Some of the items housed in the room include an asparagus shaped porcelain vial, a jewel Demitasse cup and saucer by Coalport, charms, vases and several pieces of porcelain and crystal from Austria, England, Germany, France and Ireland.

The Bradshaw Collection by George A. Bradshaw is displayed in the Kelsey Building's Prudence Hall. The university often hosts tours of these collections which are also viewable by appointment. In addition to being displayed at Thomas Edison State University, Bradshaw's etchings are in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, the Vanderpoel Gallery in Chicago, Newark Museum, the University of Nebraska and many private collections.<ref>"Capturing Landmarks in Pencil, Pen, and Ink" Princeton Info. Retrieved March 7, 2014.;"Prudence Townsend Kelsey Memorial Room, Thomas Edison State College" Princeton Online. Retrieved March 7, 2014.</ref>

In 2019, Wells Fargo donated the painting by Wyeth portraying George Washington's reception at Trenton to TESU, the largest gift ever given to the university.<ref name=gift/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Academics

Thomas Edison State University offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in more than 100 areas of study.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university also offers undergraduate, graduate and noncredit certificates.<ref name="Academic Programs">Template:Cite web</ref> Academic programs at the institution are housed in five schools:

• Heavin School of Arts and Sciences
• School of Applied Science and Technology
• School of Business and Management
• W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions
• John S. Watson School of Public Service

Accreditation

The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); it has been accredited by MSCHE or its predecessor organization since 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Several programs are also accredited:

• The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing programs at Thomas Edison State University are approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• The school's Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Program is accredited by The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The TEAC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• The Thomas Edison State University bachelor's degree programs in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology and Nuclear Energy Engineering Technology are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).<ref>"Thomas Edison State College" ABET. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref>
• Thomas Edison State University's associate degree program and undergraduate certificate in Polysomnography is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).<ref>"Thomas Edison State College" Template:Webarchive CAAHEP. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref>
• The School of Business and Management's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Human Resources Management degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).<ref>"Thomas Edison State University ACBSP"Template:Dead link Retrieved March 1, 2018.</ref>

Student media

Invention is the magazine of Thomas Edison State University. It keeps alumni, supporters, students and friends informed of news from the university, including new programs and services, special events and alumni profiles and updates.

Reviews and achievements

The New York Times called Thomas Edison State University the "college that paved the way for flexibility."<ref>"Adults Are Flocking to College That Paved Way for Flexibility" The New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref>

In 2013, TESU graduates had among the highest pass rate on the exam for certified public accountants in New Jersey, in the national accounting-boards report<ref name="nytimes.com">"Adults Are Flocking to College That Paved Way for Flexibility" New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref> and the school was named a top school for military students and veterans.<ref>"Online Nontraditional" Template:Webarchive Military Times. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref> It was also announced by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez that Thomas Edison State University received a $320,000 grant from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to create a regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 19 densely populated municipalities in North and Central New Jersey.<ref>"Menendez Announces Investment to Create Economic Development Strategy" Office of US Senator Robert Menendez. Retrieved March 6, 2014.</ref>

Notable people

Alumni

Template:Category see also The university has more than 60,000 alumni worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Peter Baldacchino, prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who has served as the bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces in New Mexico since 2019.<ref>"Pope Names Springfield, Illinois Priest as Bishop of Wichita, Kansas and Newark Priest as Auxiliary Bishop of Miami", United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, February 20, 2014. Accessed December 15, 2022. "Peter Baldacchino was born December 5, 1960, in Sliema, Malta, and holds citizenship in both the United States and Malta.... He holds a diploma in sciences from the University of Malta; electrical installation licenses from Umberto Calosso Trade School, Malta; a bachelor of arts degree from Thomas A. Edison State College and a master of divinity in pastoral ministry degree from the School of Theology, Seton Hall University."</ref>
• Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard University professor, economist, and president of the American Enterprise Institute<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Mike Davis, head coach of the Detroit Mercy Titans men's basketball team<ref>Hurt, Cecil. "Davis gives Tide tie to Final Four", Tuscaloosa News, March 23, 2002. Accessed December 15, 2022. "When the young Davis finished his playing career at Alabama, he went overseas to play professionally. He finished up his degree requirement in the mid-90s at Thomas Edison College."</ref>
• Lauren Hart, Philadelphia Flyers, national anthem singer <ref> "Thomas A. Edison State University, formed to ‘shake up’ higher ed, celebrates 50 years", Philadelphia Inquirer, October 1, 2022. Accessed September 25, 2024. "Some of its notable alum include U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, (D., N.J.); Philadelphia Flyers anthem singer Lauren Hart."</ref>
• Walter E. Fountain, United States Army Major General, Assistant Adjutant General of the Oklahoma Army National Guard
• Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves International<ref>"Graduates you should meet"Template:Dead linkTESU Foundation. Retrieved 2016-1-12.</ref>
• Steven L. Herman, South Asia bureau chief and a radio/TV correspondent for Voice of America<ref>"Voice of America journalist to speak at Akron Press Club", Akron Press Club, March 25, 2021. Accessed December 15, 2022. "Herman is a native of Cincinnati. He holds a B.A. from Thomas Edison State University and a M.A. in public diplomacy from Mountain State University."</ref>
• Daniel Knudsen, director and actor<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Tom Luna, former Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction<ref>Oliviera, D.F. "Wiki Bio Wrong About Luna Degree", The Spokesman-Review, September 10, 2012. Accessed December 15, 2022. "Contrary to repeated publication, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's degree is not in measurement science. He has a bachelor of arts in liberal studies, says the spokesman for Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey."</ref>
• Raj Mukherji, attorney and businessman serving as a Senator representing New Jersey's 32nd District<ref>Senator Raj Mukherji (D), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 16, 2024. "Education: B.A. Thomas Edison State University"</ref>
• Michael D. Reynolds, astronomer, former faculty member at Florida State College at Jacksonville<ref>Roberts, Scott. "Remembering Dr. Michael D. Reynolds, 1954 – 2019", Sky & Telescope, November 20, 2019. Accessed December 15, 2022. "As they settled in to build their lives in Jacksonville, Mike worked three day jobs (teaching, UPS, and yardwork) while studying at night to earn his bachelor’s degree in natural sciences at Thomas Edison State College."</ref>
• Alex Riley, attorney serving as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 134th District<ref>[1], Missouri House of Representatives. Accessed February 16, 2024. "Riley holds a B.A. in political science from Thomas Edison State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University."</ref>
• Kristina Sisco, director and actress<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congresswoman and former Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Isaac Wright Jr., lawyer<ref>Rorke, Robert. "Meet the real-life inspiration for ABC’s new series For Life", New York Post, February 11, 2020. Accessed December 15, 2022. "Wright, 45, didn’t begin his formal education until he was out of jail. 'I had to do four years of undergraduate,' he says. 'I went to Thomas Edison State University in Trenton. I graduated from college in 2002, and then I went to law school at St. Thomas University in Miami in 2004.'"</ref>

Faculty

• Cynthia Baum, clinical psychologist and academic administrator
• Penelope Schott, poet and professor

External links

• Official website