View source for William Paterson University

{{Short description|Public university in Wayne, New Jersey, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox university
| name                  = William Paterson University
| image = William patterson univ seal.png
| image_size = 150
|former_names          = {{collapsible list|
* Paterson City Normal School (1855–1923)
* New Jersey State Normal School at Paterson (1923–1937)
* New Jersey State Teacher’s College at Paterson (1937–1951)
* Paterson State Teachers College (1951–1958)
* Paterson State College (1958–1971)
* William Paterson College of New Jersey (1971–1997)<ref>{{cite web |title=History of William Paterson University |url=https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/history/ |publisher=William Paterson University |access-date=24 December 2023}}</ref>
}}
| established           = {{start date and age|1855}}
| type                  = [[Public university]]
| academic_affiliations = [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
| president             = [[Richard J. Helldobler]]
| students              = 8,398 (2021)
| undergrad             = 5,298 (2021)
| postgrad              = 3,100 (2021)
| city                  = [[Wayne, New Jersey]]
| country               = U.S.
| coordinates           = {{Coord|40.947|-74.198|region:US-NJ_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| campus                = {{Convert|370|acre}}
| colors                = {{color box|#FF6600}} {{color box|#000000}} Orange & black 
| sports_nickname       = Pioneers
| mascot                = Pio (since 2021)<ref>[https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/Campus-Traditions/ WP Campus Traditions] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705135427/https://wpunj.edu/about-us/Campus-Traditions/ |date=2022-07-05 }}), William Paterson University. Accessed July 7, 2022. "Pio, WP's energetic mascot, is a bear with characteristics that reflect William Paterson University’s values and the attributes of many of our students: gritty, confident, persevering, fun-loving, and the first in the family to attend college. Pio made a debut at Homecoming 2021, giving high-fives and hugs, posing for selfies, dancing with tailgating students and alumni, and rallying spectators from the sidelines."</ref>
|sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division III]]-[[New Jersey Athletic Conference|NJAC]]
| website               = {{URL|https://www.wpunj.edu/| wpunj.edu}}
| logo                = WP-Logo.png
| logo_size            = 150
| administrative_staff  = 1,147
}}

'''William Paterson University''', known as WP, officially '''William Paterson University of New Jersey''' ('''WPUNJ'''), is a [[public university]] in [[Wayne, New Jersey]], United States. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education.

Founded in 1855 and named after American statesman, lawyer, jurist, and signer of the United States Constitution [[William Paterson (judge)|William Paterson]], William Paterson is the third-oldest public institution in New Jersey.<ref name=facts>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpunj.edu/university/universityfacts |title=University Facts |publisher=William Paterson University |access-date=2014-06-18 |archive-date=2014-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701013027/http://www.wpunj.edu/university/universityfacts/ |url-status=live}}</ref> William Paterson offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through its five academic colleges. During the fall 2023 semester, 6,546 undergraduate students and 2,880 graduate students were enrolled.

==History==
[[File:Ailsa Farms Hobart Manor.jpg|thumb|Hobart Manor]]

William Paterson University was founded in 1855 as the Paterson City Normal School. For more than a century, training teachers for New Jersey schools was its exclusive mission.<ref name=WPHistory1>[https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/history/ History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707133907/https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/history/ |date=2022-07-07 }}, William Paterson University. Accessed July 7, 2022.</ref> In 1951, the university moved to the present campus to a site originally known as [[Ailsa Farms]], that was purchased by the State of New Jersey in 1948 from the family of [[Garret Hobart]], twenty-fourth vice president of the United States.<ref>[https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/history/hobartmanor.html Hobart Manor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704215728/https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/history/hobartmanor.html |date=2022-07-04 }}, William Paterson University. Accessed July 7, 2022. "Since 1951, William Paterson University has been situated on one such estate. Called Ailsa Farms, the property was owned by the family of Garret Hobart, the twenty-fourth vice president of the United States who served under William McKinley."</ref>

The original manor house was built in 1877 in the style of a castle, and was the home of John McCullough, a Scottish immigrant who made a fortune in the wool industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdm15701.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15701coll5|title=CONTENTdm|website=cdm15701.contentdm.oclc.org|access-date=2015-06-23|archive-date=2015-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623061438/http://cdm15701.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15701coll5|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later purchased, enlarged and made the weekend retreat and summer residence of the Hobart family. Today, the building is known as [[Hobart Manor]] and is home of the Office of the President and the Office of Institutional Advancement. Hobart Manor was designated a national and state landmark in 1976.<ref>[https://www.wpunj.edu/university/history/fullstory_hobart.html History of Hobart Manor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031149/https://www.wpunj.edu/university/history/fullstory_hobart.html |date=2018-07-31 }}, William Paterson University. Accessed July 30, 2018.</ref>

The university changed its name to Paterson State Teachers College when it relocated from [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] in 1951. In 1966, the curriculum was expanded to include degree offerings other than those leading to a teaching career. In 1971, it was renamed William Paterson College of New Jersey. The change of name honored [[William Paterson (judge)|William Paterson]], who was the state's first senator, its second governor, and a [[William Paterson (judge)|United States Supreme Court Justice]] appointed by President [[George Washington]], and reflected both the institution's beginnings in the city that also bears his name and the legislative mandate to move from a teachers' college to a broad-based liberal arts institution.

The Commission on Higher Education granted William Paterson university status in June 1997.<ref name=UniversityStat>Listing, [http://www.nj.gov/highereducation/colleges/schools_sector.shtml State Colleges and Universities All Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108093653/http://www.nj.gov/highereducation/colleges/schools_sector.shtml |date=2016-01-08 }}</ref><ref name=HistoryWP>NJ Commission on Higher Education accepted the college's petition to become William Paterson University of New Jersey(WPUNJ), [http://www.wpunj.edu/university/history/ University History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504174038/http://www.wpunj.edu/university/history/ |date=2019-05-04 }}.</ref>

Dr. Richard J. Helldobler, former interim president of Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois, became the eighth president of William Paterson University. He took office July 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-jerseys-william-paterson-university-has-new-president|title=William Paterson Has New President|website=[[Fox News]]|date=9 March 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702175649/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/09/new-jerseys-william-paterson-university-has-new-president.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to replace the retiring Kathleen Waldron, who had served as the school's president since August 2010 after the retirement of Arnold Speert.

In November 2021, hundreds of workers and students protested planned layoffs at the school following a $30 million budget shortfall.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koruth |first1=Mary Ann |title=William Paterson University's layoff plan to resolve $30M deficit met with hundreds of protesters |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2021/11/19/william-paterson-university-faculty-layoffs-protest/8669170002/ |website=northjersey.com |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204233817/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2021/11/19/william-paterson-university-faculty-layoffs-protest/8669170002/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Academics==
[[File:UnivCommons.jpg|thumb|University Commons]]

The university is accredited by the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools|Middle States Commission on Higher Education]], [[Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business]], [[Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education]], [[National Association of Schools of Art and Design]], [[National Association of Schools of Music]], and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, among others.<ref name=Accred>William Paterson University, [https://www.wpunj.edu/about-us/consumer-information.html Program Accreditations and Certifications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130450/http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/IP/IP2011/WmPaterson/A.pdf |date=2015-09-24 }}.</ref><ref name=moreaccred>William Paterson University, [http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/Program_Inventory/DegreeListings/Wm_Paterson.htm Accredited Degree Listings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410170651/http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/Program_Inventory/DegreeListings/Wm_Paterson.htm |date=2014-04-10 }}.</ref>

It is organized into four academic colleges: College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Cotsakos College of Business, College of Education, and College of Science and Health, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.  ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' in its 2024 edition of Best Colleges ranks the university as number 69 of Regional Universities North. It also ranks no. 23 in Top Public Schools-Regional Universities North and #58 in Best Value Schools-Regional Universities North.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=William Paterson University of New Jersey, Overview|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/william-paterson-2625|website=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172535/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/william-paterson-2625|url-status=live}}</ref>

*The '''College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Communication,'''<ref name=COAC1>[http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/ College of the Arts and Communication] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020164502/http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/ |date=2014-10-20 }}.</ref> the university's largest college, grants the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Music, and Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees.<ref name=COACC>The College of Arts and Communications, [http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/departments/ Department List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012221702/http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/departments/ |date=2014-10-12 }}.</ref>
*The '''[[Christos M. Cotsakos College of Business|Cotsakos College of Business]]''',<ref name=WPCOB>[http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/Cotsakos College of Business]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> named in honor of Dr. [[Christos Cotsakos]] ‘73, an entrepreneur, former chairman of the board and CEO for [[E*TRADE]], and generous benefactor to the university,<ref name=Cotsakos3>[http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/about-us/cotsakos.dot Christos Cotsakos, College of Business] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220024635/http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/about-us/cotsakos.dot |date=2011-02-20 }}.</ref> grants the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Business Administration degrees.<ref name=Cotsakoss>Cotsakos College of Business, [http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/programs Programs of Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206070249/http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/programs/ |date=2014-12-06 }}.</ref>
*The '''College of Education'''<ref name=WPCOE1>[http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/ College of Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527103414/http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/ |date=2010-05-27 }}.</ref> grants the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science,<ref name=COEUG>The College of Education, [http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/programs/undergraduate-programs.dot Undergraduate Programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806083235/http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/programs/undergraduate-programs.dot |date=2014-08-06 }}.</ref> Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Education. Students may also pursue certificates.<ref name=COEG>The College of Education, [http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/programs/masterpro.dot Master’s Degree Programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303191054/http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/programs/masterpro.dot |date=2015-03-03 }}.</ref>
*The '''College of Science and Health'''<ref name="COSHWP">[http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/ College of Science and Health] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210204903/http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/ |date=2010-12-10 }}.</ref> grants the Bachelor of Science,<ref name="COSH">The College of Science and Health [http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments Undergraduate Programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015123010/http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments/ |date=2014-10-15 }}.</ref> Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Public Health degrees. It also includes the School of Nursing, established in fall 2023, which grants the Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.<ref name="COSHgrad">The College of Science and Health, [http://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/graduate/programs/ Graduate Programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509203054/http://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/graduate/programs/ |date=2012-05-09 }}.</ref> It also offers several pre-professional programs, as well as post-baccalaureate programs.<ref name="preprofesh">[http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments/biology/undergraduate-programs/ppp.dot Pre-Professional Programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419134220/http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments/biology/undergraduate-programs/ppp.dot |date=2014-04-19 }}.</ref>
*The '''Honors College''' offers tracks in several disciplines as well as independent study.<ref name=HonorsCollege1>The University [http://www.wpunj.edu/honors-program/Honors College]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:WPU campus.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the campus; this picture was taken from the east end of the campus, with WPU's Wightman Field football stadium visible near the foreground.]]

William Paterson University is on a {{convert|370|acre|adj=on}} hilly, wooded campus in northern New Jersey in the suburban township of Wayne. The campus is located on [[County Route 504 (New Jersey)|County Route 504]], along the eastern town line of Wayne, and small parts of the campus are in the boroughs of [[Haledon]] and [[North Haledon]], It borders on High Mountain Preserve, a forested area, nearly {{convert|1,200|acre|km2}} of wetlands and woodlands, and is 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the historic [[Great Falls (Passaic River)|Great Falls]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]]. [[New York City]] is {{convert|20|mi|km}} to the east, the [[Jersey Shore]] is an hour's drive south, skiing is {{convert|30|mi|km}} north, and the [[Meadowlands Sports Complex]] is a half-hour drive away.

===Facilities===
William Paterson University's buildings include:
* '''University Hall''', an 80,000 square-foot academic building which opened in January 2016 and was funded in part by the Building Our Future Bond Act, is a mix of general-use classrooms, dedicated laboratories, and clinical spaces for programs in nursing, communication disorders, and public health.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.northjersey.com/news/william-paterson-s-new-multimillion-dollar-academic-center-makes-debut-1.1490733|title=William Paterson's new multimillion-dollar academic center makes debut|last=PARK|first=MINJAE|newspaper=NorthJersey.com|access-date=2016-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222001107/http://archive.northjersey.com/news/william-paterson-s-new-multimillion-dollar-academic-center-makes-debut-1.1490733|archive-date=2016-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*The '''David and Lorraine Cheng Library''' is the academic knowledge center of William Paterson University.<ref name=Library1>William Paterson University, [http://www.wpunj.edu/library David and Lorraine Cheng Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020170535/http://www.wpunj.edu/library/ |date=2014-10-20 }}.</ref>
*The expanded and renovated 232,000-square-foot '''Science Complex''' features nearly 100 research labs and 50 teaching labs.<ref name=ScienceComplex1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wpunj.edu/news/wpmagazine/science-tour.dot |title=A Visual Tour of the New Science Complex |access-date=2014-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405045019/http://www.wpunj.edu/news/wpmagazine/science-tour.dot |archive-date=2015-04-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The '''1600 Valley Road Building''', which includes interactive classrooms, the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales <ref>{{cite web |title=Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales |url=https://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/rbisales |website=www.wpunj.edu }}</ref> with its professional sales laboratory, and the Financial Learning Center (a simulated trading floor).
*The University Galleries at the '''Ben Shahn Center for the Visual Arts''' presents exhibitions of contemporary art, oversees the university's art collections and offers educational programs.<ref name=UnivGalleries>William Paterson University, [http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/gallery University Galleries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927011234/http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/gallery/ |date=2014-09-27 }}.</ref>
*The '''Power Art Center''' accommodates an array of studio arts, including three-dimensional design, photography, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, woodworking, and painting.<ref name=PowerArt>University Galleries and Collections, [https://wpunj.edu/coac/gallery/powergallery.dot The Galleries - Power Art Gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030426/https://wpunj.edu/coac/gallery/powergallery.dot |date=2016-03-04 }}.</ref>
*The '''Nel Bolger, RN Nursing Laboratory''' is a patient simulation laboratory suite in '''University Hall'''. The lab features computerized patient simulation mannequins, a control station for operating the mannequins, robotic digital cameras to record students practicing patient care techniques, television screens to display the lab sessions, one-way mirrors to allow viewing by professors, and editing facilities for creative electronic DVDs for evaluations of student progress.<ref name=Bolger>News release, [http://www.wpunj.edu/giving/donors/profile_bolger.dot Supporting the construction of a high-tech nursing lab] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231054/http://www.wpunj.edu/giving/donors/profile_bolger.dot |date=2016-03-03 }}.</ref>
*'''Hamilton Hall''', the communication building, houses TV broadcast studios,  the [[WPSC]] radio station and sound engineering arts facilities. Hamilton Hall, originally Hobart Hall, had its name changed in summer of 2019. The reasoning behind the name change was due to the fact that students, particularly first-year freshmen, were confusing Hobart Manor and Hobart Hall for one another. The new name is in reference to [[Alexander Hamilton]], one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]] and first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]].
*'''The University Commons''', including the John Victor Machuga Student Center with its food court and the Speert Hall dining facility, is the hub of campus life, providing a venue for the entire University community to gather and interact.

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: William Paterson University of New Jersey|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?187444-William-Paterson-University-of-New-Jersey|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 27, 2025}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|34|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|32|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|20|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|46|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|54|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Residential life===
The university provides housing for nearly 2,600 students in ten residence halls, including two that opened in 2006.<ref name=ResLifeWP>Residence Life, [http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/ Our Residence Halls] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328135409/http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/ |date=2014-03-28 }}.</ref> Two residence halls, High Mountain East and West, offer learning communities in collaboration with the university's Honors College, and feature smart classrooms that are used as part of the living/learning experience.<ref name=HMEW>Residence Life, [http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/high-mountain-east-and-west.dot High Mountain East and West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802185902/http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/high-mountain-east-and-west.dot |date=2014-08-02 }}.</ref>

With accommodations ranging from double room suites to apartments, the university's modern, smoke-free buildings range in size from 100 to 400 students and are [[coed]] by suite, with four residents sharing a suite or apartment. First-year students start out in traditional residence halls such as Overlook South and North, Hillside Hall, White Hall, Matelson Hall, and Century Hall, while upper-class students and older transfer students experience the added independence of the apartments, Pioneer Hall and Heritage Hall.<ref name=ResLifeHPA>Residence Life, [http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/heritage-and-pioneer-apartments.dot Heritage and Pioneer Apartments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328134928/http://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/our-residence-halls/heritage-and-pioneer-apartments.dot |date=2014-03-28 }}.</ref>

The newest residence hall, Skyline Hall, completed construction in 2019.

===Organizations and campus activities===
Offering an active campus experience for both resident and commuter students, William Paterson University hosts 24 [[fraternity|fraternities]] and [[sorority|sororities]] and more than 70 clubs and organizations, as well as intramural and recreational activities, peer education, and leadership programs.<ref name=PioneerLife1>Pioneer Life, [https://wpunj.collegiatelink.net/Organizations Clubs & Organizations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018004229/https://wpunj.collegiatelink.net/Organizations |date=2015-10-18 }}.</ref> William Paterson University's Club Sports include Cheerleading, Bowling, Equestrian, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Dance and Track.<ref name=WPClubSports>[http://www.wpunj.edu/reccenter/club-sports.dot WP Club Sports] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020154944/http://www.wpunj.edu/reccenter/club-sports.dot |date=2014-10-20 }}.</ref>

[[WPSC]] 88.7 Brave New Radio, William Paterson's student-run radio station, is the headquarters for [[College Radio Day]], an effort to celebrate the importance of college radio. In 2012, more than 500 college radio stations in 20 countries participated in the event.<ref name="CollegeDay1">[http://collegeradioday.com/about/ "College Radio Day"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020180815/http://collegeradioday.com/about/|date=2014-10-20}}. [[CollegeRadio.org]]. Retrieved November 21, 2019.</ref>

In 2018, sorority student Jasmine Barkley, who had been elected to the Greek student senate, posted a video along with a white female student from [[Penn State University]], in which she used the n-word in a song;<ref name=twsNewsweek11/> she later posted a video saying that her video was not racist, but the school's administration issued a statement condemning her actions.<ref name=twsNewsweek11>Benjamin Fearnow, April 24, 2018, Newsweek magazine, [http://www.newsweek.com/william-paterson-university-n-word-racist-penn-state-delta-phi-epsilon-899154 SORORITY SISTER DENIES BEING RACIST AFTER VIDEO ASKING PERMISSION TO SING N-WORD IN 'FREAKY FRIDAY'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426005552/http://www.newsweek.com/william-paterson-university-n-word-racist-penn-state-delta-phi-epsilon-899154 |date=2018-04-26 }}, "... sorority sister, repeatedly using the n-word and asking for permission to sing the racial epithet in rap songs ... as Jasmine Barkley, who was recently elected vice president of the school's Greek Senate..."</ref><ref name=twsWPUBeacon1>John Fiorino, April 23, 2018, The Beacon (WPU student newspaper), [https://wpubeacon.com/4543/showcase/william-paterson-student-in-racist-video-releases-comment/ William Paterson Student in Racist Video Releases Comment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426080251/https://wpubeacon.com/4543/showcase/william-paterson-student-in-racist-video-releases-comment/ |date=2018-04-26 }}, Retrieved April 24, 2018</ref>

==Athletics==
[[file:William paterson logo.png|thumb|120px|WPU athletics logo]]
The university has 13 intercollegiate sports teams in the [[NCAA Division III]], six for men and seven for women, including NCAA teams in men's baseball and women's softball.<ref name=Athletics1>[http://wpupioneers.com WP Intercollegiate Athletics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428165202/http://wpupioneers.com/ |date=2010-04-28 }}.</ref> The William Paterson University Pioneers compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as well as in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).<ref name=WPSports>[http://wpupioneers.com William Paterson University Intercollegiate Athletics website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428165202/http://wpupioneers.com/ |date=2010-04-28 }}.</ref> The Faculty Athletic Support Team (FAST) was established in 2013 by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, The Office of the Provost, and a number of faculty members, to create a formalized program to enhance communication and serve a resource to assist student-athletes with retention, success and growth.<ref name=FAST>[http://wpupioneers.com/sports/2014/3/28/gen_0328143202.aspx?id=211 Faculty Athletic Support Team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020181815/http://wpupioneers.com/sports/2014/3/28/gen_0328143202.aspx?id=211 |date=2014-10-20 }} (FAST).</ref>

===Division III sports===
{{col-float}}
;Women's sports
*Basketball
*Soccer
*Softball 
*Field hockey
*Swimming & diving
*Tennis
*Volleyball
{{col-float-break}}
;Men's sports
*Baseball (national champions, 1992 and 1996)<ref name=BaseballHOF>[http://wpupioneers.com/hof.aspx WP Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020182103/http://wpupioneers.com/hof.aspx |date=2014-10-20 }}.</ref>
*Basketball
*Football
*Golf
*Soccer
*Swimming & diving
{{col-float-end}}

==Cultural events, lectures, conferences, and art==
WP Presents!<ref name=WPPresentsInfo>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/mission.dot|title=William Paterson University - Our Mission|work=wpunj.edu|access-date=2014-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015093406/http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/mission.dot|archive-date=2014-10-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> is the university portal to information about performing arts programs produced and presented by the College of The Arts and Communication. University Performing Arts and University Galleries administer programs in creative and performing arts including the Jazz Room Series, New Jersey Playwrights Contest, and all public productions in the Shea Center for Performing Arts<ref name=Shea1>[http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/sheacenter.dot Shea Center for Performing Arts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010232013/http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/sheacenter.dot |date=2014-10-10 }}.</ref> and the Hunziker Black Box Theatre.<ref name=BlackBox1>[http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/hunziker.dot Hunziker Black Box Theatre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015015615/http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/hunziker.dot |date=2014-10-15 }}.</ref> Cultural events take place on campus throughout the year, including theater productions, gallery exhibits, and concerts presenting jazz, [[classical music|classical]], and contemporary music.

*The university's Jazz Room Series,<ref name=JazzRoom>WP Presents! [http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/programs/jazzroomseries.dot Jazz Room Series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702143350/http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/programs/jazzroomseries.dot |date=2014-07-02 }}.</ref> launched in 1978, hosts both William Paterson's student ensembles and visiting professional and renowned jazz musicians. The Jazz Room Series is the longest-running, campus-based jazz concert series in the nation, entering its thirty-sixth year in 2014.<ref name=JazzRoom4>[http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/programs/jazzroomseries.dot Jazz Room Series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702143350/http://www.wpunj.edu/wppresents/programs/jazzroomseries.dot |date=2014-07-02 }}.</ref> The Jazz Room has received over two decades of continuous grant support from the [[New Jersey State Council on the Arts]]/Department of State, as well as grants from the [[National Endowment for the Arts]],<ref name=Awards2>Recent Awards, [http://www.wpunj.edu/osp/recent-awards.dot National Endowment for the Arts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511194059/http://www.wpunj.edu/osp/recent-awards.dot |date=2014-05-11 }}.</ref> and the [[Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation]].<ref name=Dodge1>The [[Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation]], [http://www.grdodge.org/fileadmin/Dodge_News/Dodge_Foundation_Announces_99_New_Grants.pdf Press Release, 99 Grants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924023537/http://www.grdodge.org/fileadmin/Dodge_News/Dodge_Foundation_Announces_99_New_Grants.pdf |date=2015-09-24 }}.</ref> The series has been featured on national and metropolitan-area media, including recorded broadcasts.<ref name=WBGO>WBGO.org Jazz Room Series Art Partner, [http://www.wbgo.org/search/node/william%20paterson?page=1 William Paterson search results].</ref>
*William Paterson's Sculpture on Campus program represents one of the largest collections of public sculpture in New Jersey, and the only higher education institution in the state with a formal program dedicated to placing public sculpture. Twenty-two works are located throughout the campus.<ref name="WPSculptures">University Galleries and Collections, [http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/gallery/sculpturecollection.dot Collections-Sculptures on Campus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018004229/http://www.wpunj.edu/coac/gallery/sculpturecollection.dot |date=2015-10-18 }}.</ref>

==Community and civic engagement==

*William Paterson University is the only college or university in New Jersey that requires all students to take a three-credit course in civic engagement as a requirement for graduation.<ref name=CivicEngagement1>University Core Curriculum, [http://www.wpunj.edu/ucc/ucc-in-depth.dot CORE In-Depth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717044403/http://www.wpunj.edu/ucc/ucc-in-depth.dot |date=2014-07-17 }}.</ref>
*William Paterson signed a partnership agreement with the [[Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park]]. The agreement is designed to generate greater use of the Park's historical, cultural and natural resources for educational purposes.<ref name=PatersonFallz>Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, [http://www.greaterpatersoncc.org/Chamber%20Happenings/CH%202013/May%20June%202013%20CCH.pdf WPUNJ and Paterson Great Falls National Park Sign Collaboration Agreement]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, May/June 2013.</ref>

==Honors, awards and recognition==
{{advert|date=April 2020}}
*University Hall, the new academic building, was awarded a silver citation in the 2016 American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase, a competition honoring excellence in education interiors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkarchitects.com/?news=william-paterson-universitys-university-hall-awarded-silver-citation|title=William Paterson University's University Hall Awarded a Silver Citation! - NK ArchitectsNK Architects|website=www.nkarchitects.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-23|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015033/http://www.nkarchitects.com/?news=william-paterson-universitys-university-hall-awarded-silver-citation|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''The 2014 Green Design Award'' for William Paterson's new 1,000 space parking garage for its energy-efficient LED lighting technology from the [[Passaic County]] Board of Chosen Freeholders at their annual green design conference held on June 18, 2014.<ref name="PCBoard">Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, [http://www.passaiccountynj.org/DocumentCenter/View/4197 Green Design Awards for Passaic County Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122055819/http://www.passaiccountynj.org/DocumentCenter/View/4197 |date=2014-11-22 }}, 2014.</ref>
*William Paterson University was recognized in the ''2016 list of Top University Sales Programs'' for its Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales in the Cotsakos College of Business. The list, released by the Sales Education Foundation of Dayton, Ohio, highlights William Paterson University as one of the best locations for hiring sales professionals.<ref name=SalesEd>News Release, [http://www.wpunj.edu/news/detail.dot?id=975eb0e3-ff7e-40e6-8ab0-7e7227b1b6a5 William Paterson University Makes List of Top University Sales Programs in the Nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701054344/http://www.wpunj.edu/news/detail.dot?id=975eb0e3-ff7e-40e6-8ab0-7e7227b1b6a5 |date=2014-07-01 }}.</ref><ref name=SalesFoundation>Sales Education Foundation, [http://www.salesfoundation.org/wp-content/themes/SEF/pdf/sef_schools2013.pdf Top Universities for Sales Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018004229/http://www.salesfoundation.org/wp-content/themes/SEF/pdf/sef_schools2013.pdf |date=2015-10-18 }}.</ref>
*William Paterson's solar panel installation ranks among the 10 largest installations at higher education institutions in the United States. The panels provide 15 to 20 percent of the institution's energy needs. In 2012, William Paterson was a finalist for the ''Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards'', which recognize innovation and excellence in climate leadership at signatory institutions of the American College and University Presidents Climate Committee. William Paterson was one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide, and the only institution from New Jersey, named as finalists.<ref name=SolarPanelsWP>[http://www.secondnature.org/blog/20120228/2012-climate-leadership-award-finalists-announced Second Natural Climate Leadership Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907153245/http://secondnature.org/blog/20120228/2012-climate-leadership-award-finalists-announced |date=2015-09-07 }}, 2012.</ref><ref name=WPSolarPanels>[http://www.wpunj.edu/news/solar.dot Solar Panels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909201832/http://www.wpunj.edu/news/solar.dot |date=2015-09-09 }}.</ref><ref name=moresolarnews>Video, [http://www.secondnature.org/blog/20120504/william-paterson-university-array-sustainable-initiatives William Paterson Sustainable Initiatives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095951/http://www.secondnature.org/blog/20120504/william-paterson-university-array-sustainable-initiatives |date=2015-09-24 }}.</ref>
*For the third time in six years, William Paterson University's student-run radio station, [[WPSC]] 88.7 FM Brave New Radio,<ref name=BraveNewRadio1>William Paterson University's [http://wpsc.wpunj.edu Brave New Radio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219214410/http://wpsc.wpunj.edu/ |date=2014-12-19 }}.</ref> was named Best Radio Station in the Nation (among institutions with more than 10,000 students) by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) in March 2017. Additionally, in IBS's first year offering awards in the medium of video, WP-TV, the campus television station, won for Best Sports Report.<ref name=IBSRadio>[http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2013IBSAwardWinners.pdf IBS Awards, 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319023108/http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2013IBSAwardWinners.pdf |date=2015-03-19 }}.</ref><ref name=IBSRadio2>[http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2012-IBS-Award-Winners.html IBS Awards, 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024144530/http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2012-IBS-Award-Winners.html |date=2014-10-24 }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2017-IBS-AWARDS-Files/27APR2017-AwardsFinalistsWinnersCollege.pdf|title=2017 IBS Awards Winners: Colleges/Universities Categories|access-date=2017-05-30|archive-date=2018-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008095924/http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2017-IBS-AWARDS-Files/27APR2017-AwardsFinalistsWinnersCollege.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 WP-TV won Best Sports Program, Best Variety Program, Best use of Graphics along with Best use of Social Media, Instagram. WPSC also won for Best Sports Play-By-Play Baseball/Softball, Best use of Social Media/Other and Best College Radio Station in the Nation for the second year in a row.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2018IBS-Awards-Files/IBS-2018-CollegeAwards-Winners.pdf|title=2017-2018 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards|date=2018-10-08|access-date=2018-10-08|archive-date=2018-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008095849/http://www.collegebroadcasters.us/content/awards/2018IBS-Awards-Files/IBS-2018-CollegeAwards-Winners.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> WPSC also won the 2018 National Marconi Award for Best Non-Commercial Radio Station in the Nation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wpunj.edu/articles/news/2018-09-28/WP-radio-station-wins-coveted-national-marconi-award/|title=William Paterson University Radio Station WPSC-FM Wins Coveted National Marconi Award for Noncommercial Radio Station of the Year|access-date=2018-10-08|archive-date=2018-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008095936/https://www.wpunj.edu/articles/news/2018-09-28/WP-radio-station-wins-coveted-national-marconi-award/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*William Paterson University has been honored as a military friendly school for the seventh year in a row by the ''2017 Guide to Military Friendly Schools'' and is included in their online listing at MilitaryFriendlySchools.com.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://militaryfriendly.com/schools/?search=schools&awards=&das_name=william%20paterson%20university&cat_name=&state_name=&rank_awards=|title=Military Friendly Schools|access-date=2017-05-30|archive-date=2022-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928160259/https://www.militaryfriendly.com/schools/?search=schools&awards=&das_name=william%20paterson%20university&cat_name=&state_name=&rank_awards=|url-status=live}}</ref> There are nearly 150 veterans and active service students on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cms.wpunj.edu/articles/release/2017-02-08/william-paterson-university-honored-as-military-friendly-school-for-seventh-year-in-a-row/|title=William Paterson University Honored as "Military Friendly School" for Seventh Year in a Row|access-date=2017-05-30|archive-date=2018-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623141237/https://cms.wpunj.edu/articles/release/2017-02-08/william-paterson-university-honored-as-military-friendly-school-for-seventh-year-in-a-row/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*William Paterson University's Cotsakos College of Business is included in the 2017 edition of [[Princeton Review]]'s ''Best 295 Business Schools''. This marks the seventh consecutive year the Cotsakos College of Business has been featured in the book, which is well known for college rankings based on how students rate their schools.<ref name="PrincetonR">The [[Princeton Review]], [https://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings?rankings=best-business-schools-northeast&page=4 Best Business Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905153147/http://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings?rankings=best-business-schools-northeast&page=4 |date=2015-09-05 }}.</ref>
*William Paterson University's Financial Planning Program in the Cotsakos College of Business has been named one of the top schools for financial planners by Financial Planning Magazine for the sixth consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financial-planning.com/news/75-leading-schools-for-planners|title=75 Leading Schools for Planners|last=Perkins|first=Maddy|date=July 26, 2016|website=Financial Planning|access-date=May 30, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313132155/http://www.financial-planning.com/news/75-leading-schools-for-planners|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The College of Education received the ''Best Practice Award in Support of Global Diversity for 2011'' from the [[American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education]] (AACTE). The award honors the integration of diversity awareness into educator preparation and was presented to representatives of the program at AACTE's 63rd Annual Meeting and Exhibits in [[San Diego]].<ref name=AACTE1>American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), [http://www.aacte.org/about/99papers.html William Paterson University to Receive National Best Practice in Global Diversity Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018004229/http://www.aacte.org/about/99papers.html |date=2015-10-18 }}.</ref>

==Notable alumni==
* [[Richie Adubato]], basketball coach<ref>Baldwin, Dan. [https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1990/october/sports-adubato-gets-his-shot/ "Sports; Adubato Gets His ShotIt may be the right time, the right place for a Maverick coach and his team."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005183836/https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1990/october/sports-adubato-gets-his-shot/ |date=2022-10-05 }}, ''[[D Magazine]]'', October 1990. Accessed February 22, 2018. "When a friend told him he needed a master’s degree before he could get a college coaching job, he spent three years in night school earning his M.A. in administration from William Paterson College (New Jersey). Paterson is also his undergraduate alma mater, where he captained the basketball and baseball teams."</ref>
* [[Eric Alexander (jazz saxophonist)|Eric Alexander]], jazz musician<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ww2.wpunj.edu/efocus/efocus_archive/efocus0602/default.htm | title=Welcome to efocus - news & events for February 2006 | access-date=2008-12-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013095839/http://ww2.wpunj.edu/efocus/efocus_archive/efocus0602/default.htm | archive-date=2008-10-13 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Gilbert, Andrew. [https://jazztimes.com/features/harold-mabern-and-eric-alexander-getting-schooled/ "Harold Mabern and Eric Alexander: Getting Schooled"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408083512/https://jazztimes.com/features/harold-mabern-and-eric-alexander-getting-schooled/ |date=2018-04-08 }}, ''[[JazzTimes]]'', December 1, 2006. Accessed February 22, 2018. "Over the past 15 years, Mabern has anchored the quartet of tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, his former student at William Paterson University, forming one of jazz’s most productive and rewarding partnerships."</ref>
* [[Carl Allen (drummer)|Carl Allen]], jazz drummer<ref>Panken, Ted. [https://jazztimes.com/departments/overdue-ovation/an-overdue-ovation-for-carl-allen/ "An Overdue Ovation for Carl Allen; Back with a vengeance, though he hardly left"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050905/https://jazztimes.com/departments/overdue-ovation/an-overdue-ovation-for-carl-allen/ |date=2018-02-23 }}, ''[[JazzTimes]]'', November 30, 2016. Accessed February 22, 2018. "The process began in October 1981, not long after Allen had matriculated at William Paterson University in New Jersey. He was there at the urging of drummer Mel Lewis, who befriended him during a four-day residency at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, during Allen’s freshman year."</ref>
* [[Ronald M. Berkman]], president of [[Cleveland State University]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.csuohio.edu/offices/president/message/ | title=Inauguration Speech | publisher=Cleveland State University | date=2010-05-12 | access-date=2010-05-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919233542/http://csuohio.edu/offices/president/message/ | archive-date=2009-09-19 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Tom Brislin]], keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter and producer<ref>[http://nfte.org/interviews/tb256.html Conversation with Tom Brislin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430025653/http://nfte.org/interviews/tb256.html |date=2017-04-30 }}, Notes from the Edge. Accessed February 22, 2018. "As a teenager I found myself playing in rock bands, jazz bands, playing classical recitals, and getting into electronic music. That trend continued when I was studying music at William Paterson University. While in college, I formed the band You Were Spiraling as a venue to explore these varied interests within a song-oriented context."</ref>
* [[Thom Brooks]], political philosopher and legal scholar<ref>[http://thombrooks.info/Brooks_CV.pdf Currculum Vitae] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007073718/http://thombrooks.info/Brooks_CV.pdf |date=2018-10-07 }}, ThomBrooks.info. Accessed October 6, 2018. "Education 1992—97 B.A., Music and Political Science, William Paterson University, 1997"</ref>
* [[Kevin Burkhardt]], sportscaster<ref>Burke, Don. [https://nypost.com/2014/05/17/burkhardts-hard-work-took-him-from-afterthought-to-fox-sports/ "Burkhardt’s hard work took him from afterthought to Fox Sports"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125062732/https://nypost.com/2014/05/17/burkhardts-hard-work-took-him-from-afterthought-to-fox-sports/ |date=2017-11-25 }}, ''[[New York Post]]'', May 17, 2014. Accessed February 22, 2018. "On Wednesday, a proud Burkhardt delivered the commencement address at William Paterson University, the Wayne, NJ, the school from which he graduated in 1997."</ref>
* [[Alex Chilowicz]], soccer referee and musician<ref>{{cite web | url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2013128867.html | title=Chilowicz, Alex - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies &#124; Library of Congress, from LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/alex-chilowicz-at-william-paterson-university-by-david-a-orthmann |title=Alex Chilowicz At William Paterson University |author=Orthmann, David A. |date=January 16, 2010 |website=allaboutjazz.com |publisher=All About Jazz |access-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630214831/https://www.allaboutjazz.com/alex-chilowicz-at-william-paterson-university-by-david-a-orthmann |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Joe Louis Clark|Joe Clark]], author, speaker, and educator<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.joeclarkspeaker.com/biography.htm | title=Joe Clark - Biography | access-date=2009-06-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522071041/http://www.joeclarkspeaker.com/biography.htm | archive-date=2009-05-22 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Rod Daniels]], sportscaster<ref>{{cite press release
 |url=http://ww2.wpunj.edu/adminsrv/pub-info/Releases/04_518commence.htm |title=William Paterson University to hold commencement on May 18 |publisher=William Paterson University |date=2004-04-15 |access-date=2008-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517020400/http://ww2.wpunj.edu/adminsrv/pub-info/Releases/04_518commence.htm }}</ref>
*[[Joseph Farah]], author and journalist<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=There's the major media. And then there's the 'other' White House press corps.|author=Bruno, Debra|date=February 21, 2016|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/theres-the-major-media-and-then-theres-the-other-white-house-press-corps/2016/02/21/f69c5f92-c460-11e5-8965-0607e0e265ce_story.html|access-date=November 22, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717165918/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/theres-the-major-media-and-then-theres-the-other-white-house-press-corps/2016/02/21/f69c5f92-c460-11e5-8965-0607e0e265ce_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Cjr.org|url=https://www.cjr.org/essay/unamerican_1.php|title=Un-American: Have you listened to the right-wing media lately?|author=Massing, Michael|date=February 2009|access-date=2022-11-22|archive-date=2016-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221165311/http://www.cjr.org/essay/unamerican_1.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Tom Fitzgerald (reporter)|Tom Fitzgerald]], journalist<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=5761&version=14&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.3.1 | title=Tom Fitzgerald | date=2008-06-14 | access-date=2008-12-18 | archive-date=2008-10-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021035023/http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=5761&version=14&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.3.1 | url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jeremiah Fraites]], musician
*[[Rob Fusari]], music producer & songwriter<ref>Zeman, Mary Beth. "Grammy Award-Winning Alumnus Is Producer Behind Pop Phenomenon Lady Gaga." ''WP, The Magazine of William Paterson University'' Spring 2010: 23-24.</ref>
*[[Samantha Giancola]], reality television star<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2009/12/jersey_shore_meet_sammi_sweeth.html | title='Jersey Shore': Meet Sammi Sweetheart, college athlete | date=14 December 2009 | access-date=2013-08-04 | archive-date=2013-08-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816045324/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2009/12/jersey_shore_meet_sammi_sweeth.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Dana Hall (musician)|Dana Hall]], musician and ethnomusicologist<ref>{{cite web | url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/dana-hall-jazz-drummer-and-educator/ | title=Dana Hall, jazz drummer and educator | date=17 August 2021 | access-date=3 May 2022 | archive-date=3 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503033506/https://chicagoreader.com/music/dana-hall-jazz-drummer-and-educator/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Horace Jenkins]], basketball player<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wpupioneers.com/news/2008/2/11/MBB_0211082335.aspx?path=mbbal | title=Jenkins Named to d3hoops.com All-Decade First Team | publisher=William Paterson Sports Information | date=2009-01-11 | access-date=2010-05-12 | archive-date=2009-04-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403211705/http://www.wpupioneers.com/news/2008/2/11/MBB_0211082335.aspx?path=mbbal | url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Justin Kauflin]], jazz pianist<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2674040/|title=Keep on Keepin' On (2014)|author=trandall517|date=April 19, 2014|work=IMDb|access-date=February 15, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211021858/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2674040/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]], screenwriter
*[[Ferit Odman]], jazz drummer<ref>[[Ferit Odman]]</ref>
*[[Herbert Perez]], Taekwondo athlete<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldmedalcenter.com/instructors.html |title=Gold Medal Martial Arts |access-date=2008-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204030535/http://www.goldmedalcenter.com/instructors.html |archive-date=December 4, 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Joseph D. Pistone]], FBI agent<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.pennlive.com/lawandorder/about.html | title=Law & Order Blog - About the Author | access-date=2008-12-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403022541/http://blog.pennlive.com/lawandorder/about.html | archive-date=2009-04-03 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Tyshawn Sorey]], composer and musician
*[[Ray Toro]], musician
*[[Dick Vitale]], sportscaster<ref>{{cite web | url=http://espn.go.com/dickvitale/vfile/index.html | title=Dick Vitale bio | access-date=2008-12-18 | archive-date=2012-11-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102082303/http://espn.go.com/dickvitale/vfile/index.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Clinton Wheeler]], former NBA player.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WHEELCL01 | title=Clinton Wheeler Past Stats, Playoff Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards | access-date=2008-12-18 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403193239/http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WHEELCL01 | archive-date=2009-04-03 }}</ref>
*[[Ian Ziering]], actor<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ww2.wpunj.edu/efocus/efocus_archive/efocus_121503.html | title=Welcome to efocus - news & events for April 2007 | access-date=2008-12-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013060754/http://ww2.wpunj.edu/efocus/efocus_archive/efocus_121503.html | archive-date=2008-10-13 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Will Wood (musician)|Will Wood]], musician and comedian<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/c/willwoodofficial | title=Willwoodmusic ♪ - YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>

==Census-designated place==
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = William Paterson University of New Jersey CDP
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = 
|mapsize                  = 
|map_caption              = 
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Passaic County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = William Paterson University
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Passaic County, New Jersey|Passaic County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_mapsize          =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Passaic County, New Jersey|Passaic]] 
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 
|area_land_km2            = 
|area_water_km2           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 
|area_land_sq_mi          = 
|area_water_sq_mi         =

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1417
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = −05:00
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=GNIS/>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 512
|coordinates               = {{coord|40|56|52|N|74|11|56|W}}
|coordinates_footnotes     = <ref name=GNIS/>
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 
|area_code                = 
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|34|81365}}<ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed June 9, 2023.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2806223<ref name=GNIS>{{Cite gnis|2806223|William Paterson University of New Jersey Census Designated Place}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                =
}}

'''William Paterson University of New Jersey''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP)<ref>[https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/tab20/tigerweb_tab20_cdp_2020_nj.html State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> covering the William Paterson University campus in [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]].

It first appeared as a CDP in the [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Geography Changes|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/table-and-geography-changes/2020/geography-changes.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref> with a population of 1,417.<ref>{{Cite web|title=William Paterson University of New Jersey CDP, New Jersey|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3481365|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=March 13, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528153812/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3481365|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{US Census population
|2020= 1417
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=|archive-date=2022-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023553/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br /> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+William Paterson University of New Jersey CDP, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) –William Paterson University of New Jersey CDP, New Jersey|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US3481365&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2022-05-29|archive-date=2022-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528153812/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US3481365&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|332
|23.43%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|703
|49.61%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|0
|0.00%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|59
|4.16%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|1
|0.07%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|13
|0.92%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|309
|21.81%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''1,417'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://www.wpupioneers.com/ Athletics website]

{{Colleges and universities in New Jersey}}
{{Wayne, New Jersey}}
{{Passaic County, New Jersey}}
{{New Jersey Athletic Conference navbox}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:William Paterson University| ]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Passaic County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Passaic County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Wayne, New Jersey]]