Governors State University is now a 4-Year College with its First Sophomore Class

Norman Parish | As of Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Governors State University in University Park, Ill., is now a four-year institution.
Governors State University in University Park, Ill., is now a four-year institution.

A year ago, Justin Smith wasn’t sure he could attend a four-year university.

“I put in 150 applications for scholarships but I got no offers,” said the south suburban Ill. resident.

Smith, of Crete, eventually was able to afford school after getting state grants and raising money from playing his saxophone to attend one of the lowest costing universities in the state -- Governors State University in University Park.

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Justin Smith, a South Suburban Ill. resident, joins the first sophomore class at Governors State University in University Park, Ill.

Now, Smith, 19, is in the school’s first sophomore class. This week, Governors State University opened its doors for the first time as a four-year university.

The college, founded in 1969, previously provided classes for college juniors, seniors and graduate students. It mostly attracted students from south suburban community colleges.

But last year, it started classes for freshmen – and this week it added a sophomore class to complete the process of becoming a four-year university.

“This is very exciting,” said Elaine P. Maimon, president of Governors State University. “In the long run, this helps students to become more successful.”

Maimon said the school was able to accommodate the additional students despite state budget cuts by reallocating resources.

In the school, students are encouraged to learn together.

Every student in the sophomore class has at least three classes with the same group of students.

School officials said they believe the way the university approaches education “will benefit underserved students” and minorities.

About 42 percent of the college’s 5700 students are African American.

Officials also said the school’s low costs makes the school affordable for students like Smith, who attended Crete Monee High School in Crete.

Smith, who is black, said he enjoyed his first year at Governors State University.

“My first year was great,” Smith said.

The business major said he maintained a 3.3 grade point average.

Smith also is president of the school’s International Cultural Organization, which promotes cultural diversity by putting on various events at the school.

“I went to college, not knowing what to expect,” Smith said. “But it has presented a lot of opportunities.”

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