Middlesex College in Edison, formerly known as Middlesex County College, toasted its new name, new logo, and rebranding initiative by raising a new flag.
Although the name change went into effect on Jan. 1, Middlesex College hosted the flag raising ceremony on May 13 to celebrate the initiative on a morning whose beautiful spring weather reflected the optimism in the college’s future in spite of a pandemic-challenged year.
Shanice Pearson, of Metuchen, whose photo adorns one of the banners that traverse the campus, spoke at the flag raising and said she is thrilled with the name change to Middlesex College and is particularly happy that her diploma will sport the new term.
“I love the new look,” she said in a statement provided by Middlesex College. “And not only because I’m on one of the banners. It is bright and fresh and appealing. I think it represents the experience students have at the college. For me, this experience has truly been a rewarding one. Not only have I met some amazing people along the way, but I’ve also learned valuable life lessons that I will take with me along my journey as I enter my field. And by this time one week from today, I will be very proud to call myself a Middlesex College alumna.”
The program also included speeches by Middlesex College President Mark McCormick, and Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios.
“Though it has never strayed from its mission to make access to higher education and lifelong learning a reality for our county’s diverse population, the college has evolved throughout the decades,” Rios said in the statement. “That evolution is evident when looking at the campus and how it has expanded over the years, but even more so when considering the breadth of academic, professional and personal enrichment programs offered, and the innovative ways in which the college supports students and alumni.
“Now, some may look at these new signs and see merely signs with the college’s updated name. But they are so much more than that. They are the visual representation of this next step in the journey and evolution of Middlesex College. They reflect the college’s ongoing commitment to the campus community, and to the entire Middlesex County community. And they are one of the first things students, faculty, staff and the community will see when visiting – or even passing by – this beautiful campus here in the heart of Middlesex County.”
McCormick touted the college’s high quality education that produces graduates who transfer to and thrive at institutions such as Rutgers University, Kean University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, The College of New Jersey and Princeton University.
“Our transfer partners report that Middlesex College graduates perform better than students who start at the four-year institution in terms of grade point average and time to completion of a bachelor’s degree,” he said in the statement. “Despite such amazing outcomes for our students, there are many in our community who remain unaware of what Middlesex College has to offer. With our new name and rebranding, we aim to spread the word about all that Middlesex College has to offer and to help dispel the stigma about attending a community college.”
In keeping with McCormick’s comments was last week’s announcement that Stockton University has signed a dual admission and transfer partnership agreement with Middlesex College that will help students make a smooth transition from the two-year college to Stockton’s bachelor’s degree program.
The five-year agreement strengthens the relationship between Stockton and Middlesex College by offering multiple opportunities for students to seamlessly pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees at the two institutions of higher education.
McCormick also recognized Larry Thoms, an alumnus who – as a student in the late 1960s – drew the Colt that was used as the background for the first athletic logo, which lasted for the past 50 years, according to the statement.