A fervently Orthodox yeshiva in Lakewood, N.J., has been recommended to receive $10.6 million in public grants as part of a $1.3 billion higher-education construction package submitted to the New Jersey State Legislature Monday.
Beth Medrash Govoha, which enrolls over 6,000 students and is one of the largest and most prominent yeshivas in the world, is one of 46 institutions selected by the state secretary of higher education to receive the grants, which will be funded by a bond authorization that voters approved in November.
The grant recommended for Beth Medrash Govoha — for construction of a library/research center and an academic center — is among the largest designated for a private institution. Only Seton Hall University, recommended for $11.7 million, would receive more under the plan. The majority of the grants recommended are designated for public research universities.
A press release issued by the office of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said the recommended projects “many of which are shovel-ready, include cutting edge research laboratories, the latest computerized classrooms, and cyber networks that will allow students and faculty to interact with colleagues around the world through long-overdue construction, maintenance and attention to the State’s higher education community.”
The release quoted Christie as saying, “To keep more of our best students in the State and to make our colleges more attractive research partners for industries looking to bring good paying jobs and businesses here, we need modern facilities to remain competitive.”
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