Celebration of New Hub at Franklin Pierce University
Jan 17, 2004
Franklin Pierce University at Manchester celebrated its Grand Opening on January 16 with special remarks given by Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas and Dr. James Birge, president of Franklin Pierce University. Community and business leaders, educators, and faculty, staff, students, and trustees of the University toured the new facility and enjoyed refreshments and conversation together.
Franklin Pierce at Manchester is the new hub of the University’s College of Graduate & Professional Studies (CGPS), which offers programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. One of its standout programs at Franklin Pierce at Manchester is its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, the only DPT program in the state of New Hampshire.
“The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is one of the best kept secrets in New Hampshire!” Mayor Gatsas said in his remarks at the Grand Opening. “We need to get the word out! Every time a college or University comes to do business in the City of Manchester, we all benefit.”
Franklin Pierce at Manchester is the central administrative site for the University’s three other CGPS sites: one each in Lebanon and Portsmouth, N.H., and a campus in Goodyear, Ariz., where it also operates a second DPT program. With state-of-the-art laboratory and clinical simulation space, as well as general classrooms and seminar space, the new facility in the beautifully restored Jefferson Mill building is well positioned to serve as the center of CGPS activities.
“The trend today is for many graduate programs – and undergraduate programs for adult learners – to be made up of online or hybrid classes – while other programs like the DPT use traditional on-site classes,” says Dr. Doug Southard, Dean of CGPS. “It makes a lot of sense for Franklin Pierce at Manchester to serve as a central hub for administering these diverse programs.”
Dr. Birge highlighted CGPS’s M.B.A. program with its six areas of specialization in his remarks. “Our M.B.A. program is poised to serve the New Hampshire business community with the expertise it needs to expand and thrive,” he said, adding that a new accelerated one-year M.B.A. program is rolling out this May. Mayor Gatsas commented on how delighted he is that Franklin Pierce University is educating students to fulfill vital roles in business, healthcare, and education sectors in Manchester and beyond.
