Mission

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a center of academic excellence dedicated to the preparation of world citizens through global education. The University strives to provide students with the multi-disciplinary, intercultural, and ethical understandings necessary to participate, lead, and prosper in the global marketplace of ideas, commerce, and culture.

Commitment

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Fundamental to its mission, vision, and core values, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is committed to creating and nurturing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding among students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni.

FDU embraces a culture of open mindedness, diversity of thought, and cultural expression. The University encourages multiple perspectives to enrich the educational experience for the University community. FDU emphasizes understanding cultural experiences and perspectives by cultivating respectful communication among members of the FDU community.

The University is focused on ensuring that students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni thrive personally and professionally in a global environment in order to challenge and reject racial divisiveness, prejudice, systemic privilege, and oppression. To this end, FDU does not tolerate discrimination or bias based on race, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, sex, ability status, age, nationality, and socioeconomic class.

History

Founded in 1942 by Dr. Peter Sammartino and his wife, Sylvia (Sally), Fairleigh Dickinson University has grown into the largest private university in New Jersey. Today, more than 11,500 students from 32 states and 72 countries are enrolled on the University’s two campuses in northern New Jersey and its international campuses in Wroxton, England and Vancouver, Canada. Beginning as a two-year junior college, Fairleigh Dickinson expanded to a four-year curriculum in 1948 to fill the need for higher education in northern New Jersey. In 1954, the first graduate program, a master’s degree in business administration, was offered, and Bergen Junior College was purchased as a second campus, now Metropolitan Campus. In 1956, Fairleigh Dickinson gained University status and, one year later, the 178-acre Vanderbilt-Twombly estate was acquired in Madison to serve as a third campus, now Florham Campus.

FDU became the first American university to own a campus in England when it acquired Wroxton College from Trinity College, Oxford University. Opened in 1965, Wroxton College offers American students graduate and undergraduate courses as well as an enriching cultural experience. Formerly a 13th-century abbey, Wroxton College is now a beautifully restored and modernized Jacobean mansion. In 2007, FDU commenced classes at facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

FDU has maintained its commitment to broadening global horizons and fostering greater international understanding. In 2000, the Board of Trustees adopted a focused mission for FDU: to prepare students for world citizenship through global education.

Each of the University campuses has a unique character and vitality. Students benefit from studying at a comprehensive university that offers a wide range of programs and courses, but they also enjoy an atmosphere of warmth and personal attention usually found at much smaller institutions.

Today, FDU offers over 100 degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Its wide range of offerings, coupled with the depth and expertise of its faculty, has Fairleigh Dickinson University poised to serve the citizens of New Jersey and beyond.