Vera King Farris
| Vera King Farris | |
|---|---|
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| President of the |
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In office May 25, 1983 – June 3, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Peter M. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Herman Saatkamp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 18, 1938 Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Died | November 28, 2009 Pomona, New Jersey |
| Children | King Farris; three grandchildren. |
| Residence | Galloway Township, New Jersey |
| Alma mater |
Tuskegee Institute University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Profession | Distinguished Professor and President Emerita |
| Religion | Baptist |
Vera King Farris (July 18, 1938 – November 28, 2009 in Pomona, New Jersey) was the third president of the from May 25, 1983 to June 3, 2003. She was the first female African-American president of a New Jersey public college and one of the first in the nation.
A scientist with a doctorate in zoology, she taught at State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brockport, and the University of Michigan. She advanced into administrative positions, serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kean University.
Farris was a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey and attended Atlantic City High School, graduating third in the class of 1954. She attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), graduating with a degree in biology in 1959. She later earned master’s and doctorate degrees in zoology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Farris held administrative and teaching positions at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brockport, and the University of Michigan.
Farris served at Kean College (now Kean University) as Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In 1983, she was selected as president of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, serving until 2003. According to the college, she was the first female African-American president of a New Jersey public college, and one of the first in the nation. Farris directed the college through a period of expansion and change, increasing enrollment and adding to facilities. She emphasized academic excellence and is credited with leading the College to become a "nationally ranked institution, and increasing SAT scores, minority enrollment and retention."
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