Rowan College at Burlington County Honors Founder With Evans Hall

Rowan College at Burlington County’s business and science Incubators in Mount Laurel will be renamed Evans Hall, after founding college President Dr. N. Dean Evans, college officials said this week.

“It is only fitting that the first building the college renames as we transition to Mount Laurel is in honor of the college’s first president, Dr. N. Dean Evans,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton said. “Dr. Evans laid the foundation for our great college and allowed us to become what we are today—a national model for modern higher education. I can think of no person more deserving of this honor.”

The college will also create a scholarship in Evans’ name.

Evans opened Burlington County College in 1969 at Lenape Regional High School with 728 full-time and 323 part-time students, before moving the campus to Pemberton in 1970. In 1971, the Lewis M. Parker Center (then known as College Center) and the Physical Education Center opened.

He was also responsible for creating the college’s first major off-campus facility in Willingboro and increased access to education in local communities by offering night classes in several towns including Cinnaminson and Fort Dix.

Evans oversaw the creation of a basic skills program, long before such curriculum was mandated by the state.

He served as college president from 1967-1976.

The newly renamed Evans Hall will become the temporary home for student services and the bookstore after the spring 2016 semester until those functions move to the new student success center, slated to open by fall 2017. Evans Hall will ultimately house several college departments including Public Safety, the Workforce Development Institute, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Strategic Marketing and Communications.

“I thank the Board for this honor, and must add that the successful founding of the college involved an exceptional Board of Trustees,” including Judge Victor Friedman, a dedicated group of administrators, a superb faculty and staff, and an eager student body, Evans said. “Working together we achieved full accreditation in three years.”

“Countless students in Burlington County transformed their lives through education because of Dr. Evans’ work,” Burlington County Freeholder Deputy Director and a former Rowan College at Burlington County Trustee Kate Gibbs said. “Rowan College at Burlington County is an extraordinary success and Dr. Evans was an instrumental figure in its earliest chapter. The entire county appreciates his service and it is wonderful to acknowledge his contributions as we usher in a bright new future.”

“Dr. N. Dean Evans was a tireless advocate for education throughout his lifetime,” Rowan College at Burlington County Board of Trustees Chair George Nyikita said. “We are committed to preserving the college’s history as we transition to the Mount Laurel campus and Evans Hall will allow us to recognize Dr. Evans’ immeasurable contributions and carry his name into the college’s future.”

The attached image was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County: (left to right) Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton, foundingcollege president Dr. N. Dean Evans, Burlington County Freeholder Deputy Director and former RCBC Trustee Kate Gibbs, and RCBC Board Chair George Nyikita.