Middlesex County College and Fairleigh Dickinson University signed an agreement last month for a dual admissions program. The “Burgundy-Blue Connection” (named for the official colors of Fairleigh Dickinson University) became official as President J. Michael Adams and Middlesex County College President John Bakum met in a formal signing ceremony at Middlesex County College.

John Bakum, left, president, Middlesex County College (MCC), and J. Michael Adams, president, Fairleigh Dickinson University, shake hands after the signing of a Burgundy and Blue agreement. In the back row are, from left, John Herrling, director, counseling and career services, MCC; Gary Hamme, vice president for enrollment management (Metro/Flor); Robert Fishco, vice president of academic and student affairs, MCC; and Anthony Mastropietro, director, community college partnership (Metro).

The Burgundy-Blue program is in place at 10 New Jersey community colleges. Middlesex County College has become the 11th “Burgundy-Blue” connection.

This program offers students enrolled at Middlesex County College pursuing associate degrees full-time the opportunity to continue their studies in bachelor’s degree programs at either New Jersey campus of Fairleigh Dickinson.

Through this dual admissions agreement, the movement from the associate degree through the bachelor’s degree becomes seamless.

“There are important advantages to this program,” said Gary Hamme, vice president for enrollment services, “including advisement, cooperative education opportunities and an achievement grant.”

A student who maintains a 2.50 cumulative grade point ratio at Middlesex County College and earns the associate degree will be awarded a Burgundy-Blue Connection Achievement Grant. “Essentially,” said Hamme, “the grant reimburses the tuition cost of the associate degree to these high-achieving graduates.” This grant will be equivalent to the tuition charged at the county college for a county resident, divided by the number of years required to complete the FDU degree program.

Students who select the “Burgundy-Blue Connection” are able to have a Fairleigh Dickinson academic adviser in addition to an adviser on their home campus. The “Connection” also provides the opportunity to have a six-month work experience in those majors that offer the cooperative education program.

March 2003

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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