The New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, New Jersey

Minutes from New York City, Newark is one of New Jersey's hotspot. With its four-pronged mission of education, research, economic development, and service, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) plays a critical role in shaping New Jersey's future. The university's programs prepare students to be leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. University researchers seek new knowledge to improve processes and products for industry. Through public and private partnerships and economic development efforts, the university helps to grow new business ventures that fuel the economy.

Founded in 1881, NJIT was first known as the Newark College of Engineering. The first 88 students, mostly evening students, attended classes in a rented building at 21 West Park Street. Soon it became inadequate to house an expanding student body. In 1886, the director, Dr. Charles A. Colton aiding in laying the first cornerstone at the intersection of High Street and Summit Place for the three-story building later to be named Weston Hall, in honor of the institution's early benefactor. A laboratory building, later to be called Colton Hall, was added to the campus in 1913.

In 1975, with the addition of the New Jersey School of Architecture, the institution had evolved into a technological university, emphasizing a broad range of graduate and undergraduate degrees. A stronger-than-ever Newark College of Engineering remained intact, but a new university name -- New Jersey Institute of Technology -- signified the institution's expanded mission.

A broadened mission called for the creation of a residential campus and the opening of NJIT's first residence hall, Redwood hall, in 1979 began a period of steady growth that continues today. Two new schools were established at the university during the 1980s, the College of Science and Liberal Arts in 1982 and the School of Industrial Management in 1988. The Albert Dorman Honors College was established in 1994, and the newest school, the College of Computing Sciences, was created in 2001.

According to U.S. News & World Report's 2007 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been named among the nation's top tier of national research universities offering a range of undergraduate majors and master's and doctoral degrees. NJIT is now in its 125th year and has four Residence Halls. It continues to expand and enrich the community.