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The Secretary of Higher Education in the State of New Jersey has unanimously accepted the petition of Caldwell College for University status. The college will officially operate as a university, effective July 1, 2014.

"As the culmination of almost a two-year process, changing our designation and name from Caldwell College to Caldwell University is the fulfilment of a vision that many on the campus have shared for the past few years," Dr. Nancy Blattner, Caldwell College's president, said in a statement. "Our new name signals the academic excellence for which Caldwell has become recognized. This new designation will be officially celebrated in 2014 during the institution's 75th anniversary."

Blattner's dream of achieving University status began the moment she arrived at Caldwell in 2009. She said that the name change will be consistent with the changes at Caldwell, including the addition of a doctoral program in applied behavior analysis and introduction of a growing number of master's programs.

"There are many benefits to becoming a university including increased opportunities for fundraising, greater ability to recruit and retain faculty and more leverage in recruiting students," said Vice President for Enrollment and Communications Joseph Posillico.

"The designation of 'university' will more accurately describe the breadth and depth of Caldwell to the public and in particular to international students."

Marilyn Bastardi, president of the college's board of trustees, said that this is a proud moment for the Caldwell community. This status change reflects the tremendous growth the community has seen under Blattner's leadership.

The college sought for university status in January after getting the idea approved by the trustees. New Jersey permits colleges to gain university status, provided they expand their graduate programs and libraries.

After 75 years of its existence, Caldwell will be the fourth Catholic institution in the state that has gained university status after Seton Hall, Georgian Court and Saint Peter's.

"It's really exciting that Caldwell is becoming a university and that I get to be a part of it," said freshman student Sean Puzzo, Caldwell Patch reports.