Thursday, Aug 31, 2017
Rider University's Board of Trustees selected on Aug. 17 a finalist a potential international partner that has proposed to acquire Westminster Choir College and maintain the campus in Princeton.
This selection is the continuation of the process Rider began in March that involved formal outreach to about 280 entities through the University's adviser in the process, PwC Corporate Finance LLC.
"From the beginning, our goal has been to identify a partner that is well positioned to make the necessary investments in and build upon Westminster’s world-class curriculum and rich legacy," President Gregory G. Dell'Omo wrote in a message to the Rider community following the Board's selection.
Negotiations, which will include a detailed investigation of the proposed transaction, will begin now that the selection has been made.
"Please know that much work still remains, and as this process moves forward, it is critical that negotiations remain confidential between Rider and the selected potential partner," Dell'Omo wrote. "However, the University remains encouraged by the strong progress to date, accomplished in accordance with our Guiding Principles, including the commitment to maintaining our existing programs, faculty and administration."
Dell'Omo concluded his message by recognizing that a desire exists to move quickly as the process unfolds. "While I too share that sense of urgency," he wrote, "I again ask for your continued patience as we move into the next phase of this important process."