1920s
Camden’s civic leaders launched accessible evening programs in law and liberal arts, creating academic pathways for working adults and setting a foundation of opportunity and rigor.
1920s
Foundations of Access and Excellence
In the 1920s, Camden’s civic leaders envisioned a bold experiment in accessible, high-quality education for working adults. On March 21, 1926, Arthur E. Armitage and Elmer Van Name opened the South Jersey Law School at 505 Market Street, with Dr. Charles L. Maurer as the inaugural dean. Just a year later, in 1927, the College of South Jersey was established to meet new law school admission requirements, creating a pathway for students to pursue legal studies and liberal arts close to home.
These beginnings set the ethos that still defines Rutgers University–Camden: opportunity, rigor, and service to South Jersey.
Key Milestones
- 1926 — South Jersey Law School founded (evening program model at 505 Market Street; inaugural dean: Dr. Charles L. Maurer).
- 1927 — College of South Jersey established to support academic preparation for law study.
Looking Back at the 1920s
1926 — South Jersey Law School Founded
Arthur Armitage and Elmer Van Name open an evening law school at 505 Market Street, Camden, making legal education accessible to working adults. Dr. Charles L. Maurer serves as inaugural dean, setting a precedent for community-focused learning.
1927 — College of South Jersey Established
To meet new admission standards, a two-year college is added, creating a pathway for law and liberal arts education. This expansion reflects a commitment to opportunity and academic rigor.