The History of Touro University Worldwide
Education has always been a strong pillar of both American and Jewish ideals. Providing a quality education is paramount to the ideas of democracy and equal opportunity. This was the thinking the Touro family had when it began providing major endowments for universities and the first free library in North America just after the birth of our nation. The legacy of the Touro family is where the name Touro University Worldwide comes from.
The history and heritage of Touro University Worldwide is crucial to our mission. Our past has molded us into the institution we are today. Here is a history of the events leading up to the founding of Touro and how it makes our school unique.
Touro College and University System
The story of our university begins in 1970, when Bernard Lander, Ph.D., L.H.D., founded the Touro College and University System in New York City. His goal was to strengthen the Jewish tradition and heritage by serving the larger American and global communities through high-quality education. The system currently has five member institutions across America, including Touro University Worldwide.
The system currently maintains more than 19,000 students enrolled across its various schools in the country and affiliated institutions around the world. These colleges and universities offer excellent degree programs in professional fields across a variety of professional disciplines and academic subject areas. At Touro College and University campuses located in New York City alone, students can pursue a career in business, education, law, medicine, nursing, social work, and technology.
In 2010, Dr. Alan Kadish took over as President of the Touro College and University System for Dr. Bernard Lander who had just completed 40 years in service of the institution. After assuming control, Kadish renewed the commitment to high quality education on every campus and in every program. A promise made in honor of the contributions made by the Touro family themselves.
Starting a Future Online
Dr. Yoram Neumann and Dr. Edith Neumann began to develop a strictly online institution of higher education for the Touro College and University System in the mid-1990s. In 1998, they founded Touro University International, the precursor to Touro University Worldwide. This new school became the first university ever to offer a regionally accredited doctorate program online with no residency requirements for students.
Their programs quickly attracted government and military employees who lived and worked abroad. Their constant work schedule forced them to find alternative methods of seeking a higher education. Because there wasn’t a residency requirement, anyone could take and complete Touro University International’s courses. This made Touro the perfect fit in helping to advance careers.
Drs. Neumann became the leaders for Touro University International; Dr. Yoram Neumann was the president and Dr. Edith Neumann was the Provost of the school for 11 years, from 1998 to 2009. During their time in charge, 14,000 students graduated and the university had a catalog of more than 50,000 courses. However, the school left the Touro College and University System in 2007, after the Board of Trustees sold Touro University International to a private equity group.
A New Online Touro University
After selling Touro University International, the greater Touro system still needed an online educational presence. Dr. Bernard Luskin founded Touro University Worldwide in 2008, to fill in the void left by the sale of Touro University International. After four years in charge, Dr. Luskin handed the reins back over to Drs. Neumann.
Touro University Worldwide became accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school developed a home base in Los Angeles and added a campus in the area.
Today’s Touro University Worldwide
The mission of Touro University Worldwide was to offer online degree programs for adult learners globally. The university prides itself on a Judaic foundation and the values the Touro family instilled more than 200 years ago.
Today, we provide associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate programs in a variety of areas including business, psychology, health and human services and general studies. It has become a place for professionals to gain skills that will keep up with emerging trends in the marketplace.
Touro University Worldwide is poised to remain a strong nonprofit institution for students looking to advance their career. It will continue to be a leader in the field of online education and innovate its programs as it grows. At TUW, the dreams of the Touro family are alive and well.
