Manor College no longer "junior" (09/12/99)

Manor College no longer "junior"

JENKINTOWN, Pa. - In order to better define the college's identity to prospective students and more accurately depict its position in the academic community, Manor Junior College has changed its name to Manor College.

"Current students and graduates know they made a good choice with Manor. This is evidenced by 97 percent of outgoing students responding to a recent graduate survey that they were 'highly satisfied' with their education here," said Steve Greenbaum, director of public relations at the college.

"With the name change, we're trying to broaden our appeal, so that more prospective students will make the same choice," Mr. Greenbaum said. "I think for some, the word 'junior' causes a misconception as to what we're all about."

The term "junior college" was originally designated as a reference to the amount of time spent at the school, that is two years. Over the years, some have taken the term to mean that a "junior college" is a middle step between high school and college.

"Manor has always offered the first two years of a college education and that education has always been as high in quality as the first two years at any four-year college or university - in fact, perhaps even better, because we also offer small classes, personalized attention, a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and a caring and accessible faculty," Mr. Greenbaum said.

"By removing the word 'junior' from the equation, we hope to discourage students who thought attending Manor would be like an extension of high school or like attending a prep school and encourage prospective students who are better suited for a small school and who have achieved scholastically, but may have overlooked Manor simply because they thought a 'junior college' would not challenge them academically," he explained.

With an enrollment of approximately 700, Manor offers associate's degrees and transfer programs within three divisions: Allied Health, Math and Science; Business; and Liberal Arts.

Sixty percent of Manor College students transfer to four-year institutions to pursue bachelor's degrees. Manor's credits are accepted at most area four-year colleges and universities through articulation agreements, allowing Manor students to transfer in as juniors, without losing any credits or time.

The other 40 percent receive associate's degrees and - benefiting from Manor's nearly 100 percent placement rate - begin careers in their fields.

With the name change comes a new look in the form of a new logo and a new sign for the college. "The new logo has a modern, classy and collegiate look to it," Mr. Greenbaum said. "It suggests a feeling of community and unity."

"The new sign, which replaces our old one at the end of our driveway on Fox Chase Road, is made of granite to match the other buildings on campus and conveys a sense of solidity and being established," Mr. Greenbaum added. "Manor has been here for over 50 years and will be here for a long time to come. I think the sign symbolizes that longevity."

| Home Page |