Centenary College, New Jersey

Book excerpt: The story of Centenary College begins just a few years after the Civil War. Tested by fire in 1899, it evolved from a coeducational Methodist preparatory school and collegiate institute to an all-girls' school in 1910, later becoming a junior college for women in 1940. In 1976, Centenary transformed into a four-year women's college. Men returned to campus in 1988 as the college became northwestern New Jersey's only four-year coeducational institution. In the 1990s, graduate programs and off-campus accelerated degree programs were created to meet the needs of a new generation of students. Centenary's history is remarkably preserved in its extensive archives, which contain thousands of historic photographs and documents.