Centenary University

Centenary University was founded as the Centenary Collegiate Institute (CCI) by the Newark Conference of what was then called the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1867.{{Cite web |last=Novak |first=Steve |date=2017-02-18 |title=Vintage photos of Centenary University over 150 years |url=https://www.nj.com/warren/2017/02/vintage_photos_of_centenary_university_over_150_ye.html |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=lehighvalleylive.com |language=en}} The name was chosen to commemorate the centennial of Methodism in the United States.{{Cite web |title=CENTENARY COLLEGE CATALOG ADULT & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES |url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/11_12_sps_catalog_final.pdf |access-date=Nov 24, 2020 |website=centenaryuniversity.edu |page=7}} It was built for $200,000. George H. Whitney, D.D., was president from 1869 to 1895.{{cite web|title=1890 Centenary Collegiate Institute|url=http://halfwaybrook.com/?p=2251|access-date=July 28, 2012}} The first commencement ceremony was held on June 25, 1875.{{Cite web |date=May 2025 |title=150th Anniversary Centenary University Commencement Program |url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/getmedia/8e4f9611-8fa8-4220-9e4d-e4a830e026db/5-5-CENfinal-Commencement-program-2025.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509214332/https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/getmedia/8e4f9611-8fa8-4220-9e4d-e4a830e026db/5-5-CENfinal-Commencement-program-2025.pdf |archive-date=2025-05-09 |website=centenaryuniversity.edu |page=2}}

Beginning as a coeducational preparatory school, CCI became a girls-only institution in 1910. In 1940, it became a junior college: Centenary Junior College. It would subsequently become Centenary College for Women in 1956 before becoming Centenary College in 1976, a four-year college for women offering associate and bachelor's degrees, with men allowed to pursue degrees only during night courses. In 1988, men were allowed to attend full-time. In 1995, master's degree programs were introduced. In 2016, Centenary College was granted University status by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education.{{Cite web|date=14 May 2016|title=Surprise! N.J. College announces name change at graduation|url=https://www.nj.com/education/2016/05/surprise_nj_college_announces_name_change_at_gradu.html}}

In 1886, a 19-year-old kitchen worker at CCI named Tillie Smith was "outraged" and murdered in a field just off campus. A janitor at CCI named James Titus was convicted of the crime based on circumstantial evidence strongly influenced by yellow journalism. Authors and historians generally consider this a false conviction, but the debate over the facts continues perennially through dark tourism ghost tours, theatrical performances, books and Weird NJ magazine articles.{{Cite book|title=In Defence of Her Honor: The Tillie Smith Murder Case.|last=Sullivan|first=Denis|publisher=D.H. Thoreau Books|year=2000|location=Flemington}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/express-times/2013/10/tillie_smith_centenary_college.html|title=Tillie Smith murder at Centenary College remains part of Hackettstown lore|last=O'Donnell|first=Chuck|date=2013-10-06|website=lehighvalleylive|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1887/05/18/archives/in-memory-of-tillie-smith.html|title=In Memory of Tillie Smith.|date=1887-05-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.njherald.com/news/20171026/following-the-path-of-tillie-smith|title=Following the path of Tillie Smith|website=New Jersey Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29}}{{Cite web|url=https://weirdnj.com/stories/garden-state-ghosts/tillie-smith-centenary-college/|title=Murdered Maid Haunts Centenary College|website=weirdnj.com|access-date=2020-01-29}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/2018/04/30/maryann-mcfaddens-novel-1886-new-jersey-murder/557177002/|title=Mondays with authors: Maryann McFadden's new novel explores1886 NJ murder|date=2020-01-24|access-date=2020-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124122114/https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/2018/04/30/maryann-mcfaddens-novel-1886-new-jersey-murder/557177002/|archive-date=2020-01-24}}

On Halloween night, 1899, the original five-story CCI building burned to the ground in a fire.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hackettstownhistory.com/narticle_halloween2007.shtml|title=Historic Hackettstown|website=hackettstownhistory.com|access-date=2020-01-29}}{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=Susan|title=HISTORIC SITES OF WARREN COUNTY|url=http://www.co.warren.nj.us/download/historic.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113155247/http://www.co.warren.nj.us/download/historic.pdf|archive-date=Jan 13, 2020|website=Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission}} The new building termed "Old Main" (now known as the Seay Building), was designed by architect Oscar Schutte Teale in a Renaissance Beaux Arts style{{Cite book|last=Herman|first=Jennifer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tc4uZ2HBG2oC&q=Renaissance,+Beaux+Arts,+Late+19th+And+20th+Century+Revivals+"seay+administration+building"&pg=RA1-PA206|title=New Jersey Encyclopedia|date=2008-01-01|publisher=State History Publications|isbn=978-1-878592-44-6|language=en}} and built atop the ruins of the original structure in 1901. Only two buildings survived the fire, the men's gymnasium (now the Little Theater of the Seay Building) and the women's gymnasium (now the Ferry Building).

In 1957, a student-run college radio station, WNTI, began broadcasting on campus. Eventually becoming an NPR affiliate serving the regional community with an adult album rock format, the FM transmitter was sold to University of Pennsylvania-based WXPN in 2015.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=WNTI license sold to Philadelphia public radio station - News - New Jersey Herald - Newton, NJ|url=https://www.njherald.com/article/20151013/NEWS/909018031|access-date=2020-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124202629/https://www.njherald.com/article/20151013/NEWS/909018031|archive-date=2020-11-24}}{{Cite web|last=Lustig|first=Jay|date=2015-10-06|title=WNTI-FM is sold; DJs say goodbye online|url=https://www.njarts.net/radio/wnti-is-sold-djs-say-goodbye-online/|access-date=2020-11-24|website=NJArts.net|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2015-10-06|title='WNTI Is Over': Centenary College Radio Station Reportedly Sold|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/hackettstown/wnti-over-centenary-college-radio-station-reportedly-sold-0|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Hackettstown, NJ Patch|language=en}} As of 2020, a student-run internet radio station operates at WNTI.org.{{Cite web|title=ABOUT WNTI|url=http://wnti.centenaryuniversity.edu/about-us/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128094142/http://wnti.centenaryuniversity.edu/about-us/|archive-date=Jan 28, 2020|access-date=Nov 24, 2020|website=WNTI.org}}

The Centenary Stage Company, a professional Equity theater, has been operating on campus since 1985.{{Cite web|title=Centenary Stage Company - Hackettstown, NJ|url=https://scenicwilddelawareriver.com/entries/centenary-stage-company-hackettstown-nj/4ab2d9cf-c3c3-4c2a-b6d9-f4cc3f0dd601|access-date=2020-11-25|website=scenicwilddelawareriver.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Message from Carl Wallnau|url=http://www.centenarystageco.org/message-from-carl-wallnau|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Centenary Stage Company|language=en}} In 1992, a "Women's Playwright Series" development program offered grants, workshops, prizes and world premieres for the underserved voice of women in theater.{{Cite web|title=Women Playwrights Series {{!}} Centenary Stage Company {{!}} Hackettstown, NJ|url=http://www.centenarystageco.org/women-playwrights-series-1|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Centenary Stage Company|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Wilcox|first=Stephen|title=Women Playwrights Series at Centenary Stage Co|url=https://gardenstatewoman.com/item/308-women-playwrights-series-at-centenary-stage-co|access-date=2020-11-25|website=gardenstatewoman.com|language=en-gb}} Centenary also offers an intensive musical theater program for intermediate and advanced young performers.{{Cite web|title=Centenary sets fall Young Performers Workshop|url=https://www.njherald.com/news/20190815/centenary-sets-fall-young-performers-workshop|access-date=2020-11-25|website=New Jersey Herald|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Young Audience Series {{!}} Centenary Stage Company {{!}} Hackettstown, NJ|url=http://www.centenarystageco.org/young-audience-series|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Centenary Stage Company|language=en}}

In 1999, Centenary founded the Center for Adult and Professional Studies program. In 2011, the program was renamed the School of Professional Studies.

In 2024 Centenary University and the Ideal Institute of Technology joined forces to offer both vocational training and higher education. This collaboration offers work-based college programs to local residents who may be underserved in their community.{{Cite web |title=Ideal Institute & Centenary University Partner in Work-Based Pilot Program |url=https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/ideal-institute-centenary-university-partner-in-work-based-pilot-program/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=New Jersey Business Magazine |language=en-US}}

Additionally, Centenary and The Patrick School (TPS), a private high school known for their nationally ranked basketball program, announced a partnership that relocated TPS to the Hackettstown campus in 2024 with students also having the option to live on campus.{{Cite web |last=Volkland |first=Kristen |date=2024-12-09 |title=CU Signs Use Agreement with National High School Basketball Powerhouse The Patrick School |url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/news-and-media/cu-signs-use-agreement-with-national-high-school-basketball-powerhouse-the-patrick-school |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126230355/https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/news-and-media/cu-signs-use-agreement-with-national-high-school-basketball-powerhouse-the-patrick-school |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=centenaryuniversity.edu}} TPS alumni include NBA stars Kyrie Irving, Adama Sanogo, and Samuel Dalembert.{{Cite web |last=lehighvalleylive.com |first=Glenn Epps {{!}} For |date=2025-01-26 |title=Meet the NJ high school basketball captain destined for the NBA |url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/2025/01/the-patrick-school-a-magnet-for-nba-hopefuls-finds-home-on-campus-in-warren-co.html |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=lehighvalleylive |language=en}}

Centenary University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Some programs at Centenary are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Council on Social Work Education, or International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Centenary University Main campus is located in Hackettstown, New Jersey. The Centenary Equestrian Center in Washington Township provides riding and education facilities for its Department of Equine Studies and Animal Health.{{Cite web|url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/equine-studies/|title=Equine Studies|website=Centenary University ™|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}}

The main campus of Centenary University is home to most of the school's academic, administrative, athletic and collegiate activities, as well as housing for its undergraduate students. It consists of ten main buildings and eight residence buildings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/about-centenary/locations-maps-directions/|title=Locations, Maps & Directions|website=Centenary University ™|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}} The Edward W. Seay Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1997, for its significance in architecture.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=97000564}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Centenary Collegiate Institute |publisher=National Park Service|first1=Rochelle |last1=Goodman |first2=Simone |last2=Knaap |first3=Elizabeth |last3=DeFabritis|date=February 10, 1997 }} With {{NRHP url|id=97000564|photos=y|title=accompanying 19 photos}}

{{Cite web|title=Academic Facilities|url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/about-centenary/academic-facilities-at-centenary-university/|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Centenary University ™|language=en}}

• Brotherton Hall – professor's offices and classrooms.

File:Ferry building.png

• Environmental Science Center– Located about a mile off the main campus, it is leased to Centenary by New Jeresy Fish and Wildlife as part of the Hackettstown Fish Hatchery. It includes a classroom and a laboratory.
• Ferry Building – classrooms and small music hall.
• Harris & Betts Smith Learning Center – Academic Success Center, Student Veterans Organization, Disabilities Services Office, and classrooms.
• Lackland Center – classrooms, dance studio, dining hall, Sitnik Theatre, Edith Kutz Black Box Theater, TV studio, and the WNTI Radio Studio.
• Littell Technology Center – classrooms, graphics department, and the ENACTUS office.
• Reeves Gymnasium – athletics department, gymnasium, weight room, and wrestling center.
• Seay Building – classrooms, Whitney Chapel, tutoring center, Student Activities Center, the Little Theater,{{Cite web|url=http://www.centenarystageco.org/venues|title=Venues {{!}} Centenary Stage Company {{!}} Hackettstown, NJ|website=Centenary Stage Company|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}} Starbucks, main college offices: Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Bursar, Campus Life, Advancement, Marketing & Communications, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Information Technology, and the President's Office.
• Taylor Memorial Library – academic library, print shop, and a classroom.
• Trevorrow Hall – Science, fashion, and arts building with classrooms, laboratories, and studios.
• Wellness Center– Health and counseling center.File:Taylor Memorial Library - Centenary University.jpg{{Cite web|url=https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/academics/library/|title=Library|website=Centenary University ™|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}}

• Anderson Hall
• Bennett-Smith Hall – Apartment style
• Founders Hall – Apartment style
• Lotte Hall
• Reeves Hall – Freshmen students only
• Smith Hall – Freshmen and first year transfer students only
• Van Winkle Hall
• Washabaugh Hall

The Equestrian Center is located in Washington Township, Morris County. It consists of several large paddocks, an outdoor eventing course, two indoor arenas and an outdoor arena. The United States Equestrian Team (USET) building is the main building of the equestrian center with its main offices, classrooms, a lounge, dining services, and the large indoor arena. The Equestrian Center sits on {{convert|65|acre|m2}} of land.

In 2007 and 2012, Centenary Equestrian Center hosted the American National Riding Commission Championships, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone Finals, and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Championships.[http://www.centenarycollege.edu/cms/?id=1377]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} "In 2007 Centenary Equestrian Center hosted the American National Riding Commission Championships, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone Finals, and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Championships."

Centenary University teams participate in fourteen NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. The Cyclones compete in the Atlantic East Conference, joining in the 2021-22 season, becoming the first non-Catholic member institution.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-18 |title=Centenary University To Join the Atlantic East Beginning in 2021-22 |url=https://atlanticeast.com/news/2021/6/17/general-centenary-university-to-join-the-atlantic-east-beginning-in-2021-22.aspx |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=atlanticeast.com |language=en}} The Cyclones previously competed in the Colonial States Athletic Conference, joining in the 2007–08 season after being a member of the Skyline Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, lacrosse, soccer and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, equestrian, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball. Women's wrestling is also offered as a club sport. Students enrolled in the college's Equine programs may participate in competitions through intercollegiate organizations such as the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, the Intercollegiate Dressage Association, or with the Hunter/Jumper's Club.{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Special to |date=2016-03-29 |title=Student-focused Centenary College one of America's most trusted private colleges |url=https://www.nj.com/centenary_college/2016/03/student-focused_centenary_coll.html |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=nj |language=en}}

In 2009 Centenary's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team won the National Championships in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lindsay Clark, a Centenary Student, also won the USEF/Cacchione Cup.[http://www.aqha.com/showing/news/TopStories misc/ihsa2009results.html]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} "In 2009 Centenary's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team won the National Championships in Murfreesboro, TN. Lindsay Clark, a Centenary Student, also won the USEF/Cacchione Cup.

The 2010 women's soccer team won the CSAC Championship,{{Cite web|title=All-Time Champions|url=https://csacsports.com/sports/2008/6/24/alltimechamps.aspx|access-date=2020-11-25|website=csacsports.com|language=en}} earning them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} The 2013 and 2016 men's soccer teams replicated this feat.

File:Debbie Harry, 1977.jpg, class of 1965]]

• Mike Hall (bassist) (born 1989), bassist.{{Cite news |last=McSorely |first=Nora |date=18 September 2021 |title=Madison native, professional bassist, hones skills, longs for return to the road |url=https://www.newjerseyhills.com/madison_eagle/news/madison-native-professional-bassist-hones-skills-longs-for-return-to-the-road/article_04cf38dc-018e-5c91-8016-d23bd4b8c6d2.html |publisher=New Jersey Hills Media Group |pages=1 |quote=Once out of Madison High School, from which he graduated in 2008, Hall studied both criminal justice and political science at Centenary University in Hackettstown.}}
• Bette Cooper (1920–2017), Miss America 1937.[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0814FD3B59177A93C3AB178AD95F438385F9 "SORORITIES ADMIT 85 AT CENTENARY JUNIOR; Majority of Students Named to Three Societies Are From New York Area"], The New York Times, November 21, 1937. Accessed December 6, 2007. "Miss Bette Cooper of this community, who was chosen Miss America for 1937 at the Atlantic City beauty contest in September, is a new member of Delta Sigma Sigma."
• Jonathan Townley Crane (1819–1880), clergyman, author, abolitionist, co-founder of the school.{{Cite book|title=A Stephen Crane encyclopedia|last=Wertheim, Stanley.|date=1997|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=0-313-00812-4|location=Westport, Conn.|pages=70|oclc=52242909}}
• William Howe Crane (1854–1926), lawyer.{{Cite book|last=Wertheim, Stanley.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52242909|title=A Stephen Crane encyclopedia|date=1997|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=0-313-00812-4|location=Westport, Conn.|pages=76–77|oclc=52242909}}
• Debbie Harry (born 1945), lead singer of Blondie.[http://alumni.centenarycollege.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=419&srcid=419 "Centenary College Honors Deborah Harry as a Distinguished Alumna"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304120152/http://alumni.centenarycollege.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=419&srcid=419 |date=2012-03-04}}, Centenary College of New Jersey press release dated October 24, 2007. Accessed March 20, 2010. "Deborah Ann Harry, Class of 1965, is a singer, songwriter, and actress."
• Cole Kimball (born 1985), pitcher drafted by the Washington Nationals.[http://www.centenarycollege.edu/cms/?id=1625 "Centenary’s Kimball Chosen by Nationals in 12th Round."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210021905/http://www.centenarycollege.edu/cms/?id=1625 |date=2012-02-10}}, Centenary College of New Jersey press release dated July 7, 2006. Accessed January 13, 2008. "A graduate of Hackettstown High School, and a resident of Great Meadows NJ, Centenary has been a terrific fit for Cole’s most recent two seasons."
• Carol McCain (born 1937), former wife of U.S. Senator and former 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain.{{cite news |author=Farhi, Paul |date=October 6, 2008 |title=The Separate Peace of John And Carol |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100502589_pf.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124011729/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100502589_pf.html |archive-date=2025-01-24 |access-date=2008-10-06 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}
• Gail Phoebus (born 1950), politician who has represented the 24th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2015 to 2018.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=376 Assemblyman Gail Phoebus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122143454/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=376 |date=2017-11-22}}, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed August 19, 2016.

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://centenarycyclones.com/ Athletics website]
• [https://wnti.centenaryuniversity.edu/ WNTI radio]
• [https://www.centenarystageco.org/ Centenary Stage Company]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40cba2QRN_w Simple History of Centenary University]

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