Hofstra University

Hofstra University
source
Name	Hofstra University
Established	1935
Type	Private university
Endowment	$747.2 million (2020)
President	Susan Poser
City	Hempstead
State	New York
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban, 244 acres
Students	10,871 (Fall 2020)
Faculty	1,130
Colors	Blue, white, and gold
Nickname	Pride
Affiliations	NCAA Division I – Colonial Athletic Association

Hofstra University is a private university located in Hempstead, New York, on Long Island. Founded in 1935, it originated from the estate of a wealthy lumber magnate, William S. Hofstra, and the former New York University extension campus in Nassau County. The institution is organized into ten schools, including the notable Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."

History

The university's origins trace back to 1935 when it was established as Nassau College – Hofstra Memorial of New York University at Hempstead, Long Island, on land donated from the estate of William S. Hofstra and his wife, Kate Mason Hofstra. It achieved independence from New York University in 1939 and was renamed Hofstra College. A significant period of expansion began under the leadership of President John Cranford Adams, overseeing the construction of many iconic campus buildings. The institution was granted university status in 1963. Hofstra has hosted several notable events, including a series of United States presidential debates, such as the 2008 debate between Barack Obama and John McCain and the 2016 debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Academics

Hofstra is composed of ten schools, including the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, the School of Health Professions and Human Services, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. It offers approximately 165 undergraduate program options and over 175 graduate program options. The university is known for its programs in law, business, engineering, and health sciences, and it operates the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies in partnership with Northwell Health. The academic calendar follows a semester system, and the student-faculty ratio is 13-to-1.

Campus

The 244-acre campus is located in the Long Island suburb of Hempstead, approximately 25 miles east of Manhattan. The campus features a mix of Colonial Revival, Modern, and contemporary architecture, with over 115 buildings. Notable facilities include the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, the Emily Lowe Hall, the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, and the Hofstra University Museum of Art. The campus is also a designated arboretum and bird sanctuary, featuring extensive gardens, sculptures, and the Hofstra University Arboretum.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 200 student-run clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities governed by the North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference. The university hosts numerous annual events, such as Hofstra's Dutch Festival and the Hofstra Cultural Center's conferences. Media outlets include the student newspaper, The Hofstra Chronicle, the radio station, WRHU, and the television station, Hofstra Today. Residential life encompasses over 35 residence halls and apartment complexes, housing a significant portion of the undergraduate population.

Athletics

Hofstra's athletic teams, known as the Hofstra Pride, compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the Colonial Athletic Association for most sports. The university fields 21 varsity teams, with notable programs in wrestling, lacrosse, and basketball. The men's lacrosse team has frequently appeared in the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship. Athletic facilities are centered around the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex and the Hofstra University Soccer Stadium. The mascot is Kate and Willie Hofstra, and the school colors are blue, white, and gold.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include television personality and producer Francis Ford Coppola (attended), actor and comedian James Caan (attended), former United States Congressman Steve Israel, and journalist and author Nelson DeMille. Notable faculty have included Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Ashbery, philosopher Paul Kurtz, and legal scholar Alan Dershowitz. The university's alumni are active in fields such as entertainment, politics, law, and business, contributing to its national and international reputation.

Category:Universities and colleges in New York (state) Category:Educational institutions established in 1935 Category:1935 establishments in New York (state)