The name of Jones College, which began in 1918 and operated for 99 years before closing at year-end 2017, will be carried on.
Compass Rose Foundation Inc. registered the name “Jones College” with the state Sept. 23.
The foundation operates the Jones Technical Institute (J-Tech) trade school at 8813 Western Way in the Baymeadows area.
Founded in 1940, Compass Rose Foundation marks 82 years of “engaging in educational initiatives that support the training or education of students from applied and vocational certifications to baccalaureate and graduate degrees,” says compassrosefoundation.org.
“At present, J-Tech confers the Occupational Associate Degree in a myriad of programs of study. Should the institution ever decide to expand its accreditation recognition and confer degrees at the baccalaureate level, the designation of ‘College’ would be appropriate,” said President and CEO Gregory H. Jones by email Sept. 23.
“At present, there are no plans to move the institution in that direction; however, our Board of Trustees thought it best to secure the Jones College brand when and if it does so.”
The closed Jones College featured associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business, information technology, legal, medical and education fields.
According to Daily Record news partner News4 Jax, Jones College was accredited through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education said accreditation from the council was unsatisfactory.
Jones College said it would not seek to renew accreditation with another agency and instead would close Dec. 31, 2017. Students were transfered to Keiser University to complete their studies.
It began in 1918 as Jones Business College.
The easy listening “beautiful music” Jones College Radio station, known more recently as Riverton Tower Radio, said Sept. 6 that it ended its streaming service.
Jones College’s main campus at 5353 Arlington Expressway, along the St. Johns River, became the Riverton Tower Senior Center. The deed was transferred June 15, 2018, for the 12-story building.
The Murray Hill campus location was sold for self-storage development.
State records show that Jones College, filed May 14, 1963, was dissolved Nov. 29, 2021.