For those of us who live on campus, Vera King Farris Dr. is an essential for surviving. The iconic road we live on is one named after the 20 year reign of the phenomenal woman who helped create the foundation for Stockton as we know it.
Farris was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and graduated in the top ten of her class. Following her high school career, she moved on to graduate from Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Farris then moved on to obtain her master’s and doctorate from The University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Dr. Vera King Farris is essential to the values Stockton still upholds today with increasing the minority population within the schools while engaging us in becoming nationally ranked. Farris also was essential in the raising of the average SAT scores held at the school.
Since 1983, Vera King Farris has been creating resources and making strides to prove to everyone how being of a certain race doesn’t always hold you back. Following her retirement, the main road on Stockton’s campus was renamed in her honor for her dutiful service to her Osprey community.
Vera King Farris passed away in 2009 following a small illness. However, her legacy lives on at Stockton. Farris is the ideal role model for those of us willing to take on leadership positions and she continues to inspire! It’s only fitting that during Black History Month, we pay tribute to the wonderful woman who lead Stockton in the right direction!