| Vera King Farris | |
|---|---|
| The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey | |
| Term | May 25, 1983 – June 3, 2003 |
| Predecessor | Peter M. Mitchell[1] |
| Successor | Herman Saatkamp[1] |
| Born | July 18, 1938 Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Died | November 28, 2009 Pomona, New Jersey |
| Alma mater | Tuskegee Institute University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Residence | Galloway Township, New Jersey |
| Profession | Distinguished Professor and President Emerita |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Children | King Farris (3 grandchildren) |
Vera King Farris (c. 1938[2] – November 28, 2009 in Pomona, New Jersey[3][4]) was the third president of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey from May 25, 1983 to June 3, 2003.[5] She was the first African-American president of a New Jersey public college.
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.[3]
Farris held administrative and teaching positions at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Brockport, and the University of Michigan.[6] She served at Kean College (now Kean University) as Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to her selection as president of Stockton College.
She was named New Jersey Woman of the Year in 1992, and New Jersey Policymaker of the Year in 1994. She held multiple honorary doctorate degrees.[6]
She was the first African-American woman on the Board of Directors of Flagstar Companies, owner of Denny's Restaurants.[6] She was a member of Seaview Baptist Church in Linwood, New Jersey for over 25 years.[2]
Farris retired to Galloway Township, New Jersey. Upon her retirement in 2003, the College renamed its main road "Vera King Farris Drive" in her honor.[3] She died at the age of 71 after a brief illness and is buried in Germania Cemetery in Galloway Township.[2]