Berkeley College celebrated its 90th anniversary with a cherry tree-planting ceremony held in Newark’s Washington Park on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Sheila Y. Oliver, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor, M. Teresa Ruiz, New Jersey Senator, and Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark, were among the dignitaries to pay tribute to the College at the event.
The ceremony included recognition of a commemorative cherry tree in the soon-to-be renamed Tubman Square. Officials noted the symbolic importance of the tree’s location, which is positioned across the street from Berkeley College’s Newark campus at 536 Broad Street, where the College has operated a campus since 2006.
Lt. Governor Oliver, who served as the keynote speaker, also shared her long history with Berkeley College, which she said dates back to 2004 when she was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. During her remarks, Oliver said, “The marriage of Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver occurred in the Berkeley College building in Newark.” She recalled her first meeting with the New Jersey Governor, which she said took place at Berkeley’s Donald M. Payne, Sr. Library. “I wanted to introduce this person who was contemplating running for governor to some of the institutions that existed in our community,” she said.
“I’m proud that (the tree) will stand next to what will become Tubman Square,” said Oliver. “It’s going to give a lot of inspiration to people as they learn the history of Harriet Tubman and then see this tree.”
“This tree is actually going to be planted right next to the Tubman monument … that speaks volumes to the mission and vision of the college, making sure that you appeal to a diverse group of people in this city and making sure that they not only come to this school but they also graduate,” said Baraka. “I wish you another 90 years of growth, another 90 years of service in our city and in the State of New Jersey.”
The College was first established on September 28, 1931, in East Orange, NJ. Berkeley marked its return to Essex County with the opening of the Newark campus 15 years ago and has been part of the city’s economic revival.
“Besides our continued focus on student success where the student always comes first, Berkeley College maintains its dedication to being a part of the local community and giving back,” said Kevin L. Luing, Chairman, Berkeley College Board of Trustees, who also noted that since opening in 2006, more than 1,600 students have earned degrees from Berkeley’s Newark campus.
“Berkeley College has been part of (Newark’s) vibrance. We are a hub for technology, we are a hub for employment … we are also the epicenter for higher education institutions,” said Ruiz. “Berkeley has been a part of that fabric.”
Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College, said, “We are of this community. We take the young people and those who want to reskill and prepare them so that when they graduate they are going to be hired.”
