July 22, 2011
Peace College to Become William Peace University
Raleigh -- The Peace College Board of Trustees announced today that Peace College plans to become William Peace University.
"Becoming William Peace University reflects our growth as an institution and will deepen and broaden our ability to help our students succeed," said Beth Cherry, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and a Peace alumna. "This will be such a wonderful opportunity for our students."
Peace Trustees also announced that the University will admit
men to its day, undergraduate programs for the first time in its
154-year history. Peace currently admits men to the William Peace
School of Professional Studies, its program for students pursuing
degrees through evening and online courses. William Peace
University will begin admitting male students to its day program in
the fall of 2012.
The curriculum will focus on career and pre-professional preparation, with a mission to prepare students for careers in organizations of tomorrow. Rooted in the liberal arts, students will develop an appreciation for life-long learning, a focus on meaningful careers and skills for ethical decision making. Over 90% of Peace College graduates are employed and/or attend graduate school after commencement. The Board's goal is to continue assisting students in their successes!
Cherry said the new coeducational institution will continue to be student-centered. One way is the University's intentions to offer select single-gender courses in targeted disciplines where research shows that women and men learn differently and that each benefit from a single-gender classroom. As a coeducational institution, all classes will be accessible to all students. "This innovative approach will focus on meeting each student's individual needs," Cherry said.
Cherry noted that the steps the Trustees announced today are the latest in a long series of changes for the institution.
Peace was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for girls and women from kindergarten to college. It later became a two-year college offering associate's degrees before becoming a four-year baccalaureate college in the early 1990s. "The needs of our students are always changing, and Peace is changing with them," Cherry said. "This is a great day for our school."
Joining Cherry in making the announcement were Dr. Hope Williams, President of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; Harvey Schmitt, President and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; and David Diaz, CEO of Downtown Raleigh Alliance. They said that Peace's plans were exciting for Raleigh and for higher education in North Carolina.
"Peace is an integral part of an increasingly dynamic Raleigh," said Schmitt. "Our city welcomes Peace's plans to grow. We look forward to the contributions of the young people whom Peace will add to this market. A strong Peace is good for Raleigh."
Williams commended Peace for seeking a leadership role during trying times for higher education. "Today, Peace College is continuing its 154-year tradition of educational leadership in North Carolina. These are challenging times for all of higher education, and Peace has once again chosen the path of moving forward to embrace the future with fresh ideas and new ways to meet the needs of students."
Diaz agreed, adding that Peace's innovation is important to the capital city. "The changes the Trustees announced today not only strengthen Peace College and the educational opportunities it offers to all students, they also continue the tradition of innovation in downtown Raleigh," Diaz said.
In recent months, Peace has announced a number of new initiatives, including strengthening the pre-law and pre-med programs, expanding and adding new leadership in the education department, adding a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and others. Peace will announce more new programs in the coming months, Cherry said.
Peace College is located in the heart of Raleigh. On average, more than 90% of Peace College graduates are placed into a graduate school or career in their field of study within a year of graduation.
The curriculum will focus on career and pre-professional preparation, with a mission to prepare students for careers in organizations of tomorrow. Rooted in the liberal arts, students will develop an appreciation for life-long learning, a focus on meaningful careers and skills for ethical decision making. Over 90% of Peace College graduates are employed and/or attend graduate school after commencement. The Board's goal is to continue assisting students in their successes!
Cherry said the new coeducational institution will continue to be student-centered. One way is the University's intentions to offer select single-gender courses in targeted disciplines where research shows that women and men learn differently and that each benefit from a single-gender classroom. As a coeducational institution, all classes will be accessible to all students. "This innovative approach will focus on meeting each student's individual needs," Cherry said.
Cherry noted that the steps the Trustees announced today are the latest in a long series of changes for the institution.
Peace was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for girls and women from kindergarten to college. It later became a two-year college offering associate's degrees before becoming a four-year baccalaureate college in the early 1990s. "The needs of our students are always changing, and Peace is changing with them," Cherry said. "This is a great day for our school."
Joining Cherry in making the announcement were Dr. Hope Williams, President of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; Harvey Schmitt, President and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; and David Diaz, CEO of Downtown Raleigh Alliance. They said that Peace's plans were exciting for Raleigh and for higher education in North Carolina.
"Peace is an integral part of an increasingly dynamic Raleigh," said Schmitt. "Our city welcomes Peace's plans to grow. We look forward to the contributions of the young people whom Peace will add to this market. A strong Peace is good for Raleigh."
Williams commended Peace for seeking a leadership role during trying times for higher education. "Today, Peace College is continuing its 154-year tradition of educational leadership in North Carolina. These are challenging times for all of higher education, and Peace has once again chosen the path of moving forward to embrace the future with fresh ideas and new ways to meet the needs of students."
Diaz agreed, adding that Peace's innovation is important to the capital city. "The changes the Trustees announced today not only strengthen Peace College and the educational opportunities it offers to all students, they also continue the tradition of innovation in downtown Raleigh," Diaz said.
In recent months, Peace has announced a number of new initiatives, including strengthening the pre-law and pre-med programs, expanding and adding new leadership in the education department, adding a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and others. Peace will announce more new programs in the coming months, Cherry said.
Peace College is located in the heart of Raleigh. On average, more than 90% of Peace College graduates are placed into a graduate school or career in their field of study within a year of graduation.
Release courtesy of the Peace communications department.
