Pace University

Pace University
Name	Pace University
Established	1906
Type	Private
Endowment	$230.4 million (2020)
President	Marvin Krislov
City	New York and Pleasantville
State	New York
Country	United States
Students	12,835 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	1,101 (Fall 2022)
Campus	Urban (Manhattan), Suburban (Westchester)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Setters
Affiliations	NCAA Division II – Northeast-10 Conference

Pace University is a private university with its primary campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York. Founded in 1906 by brothers Homer St. Clair Pace and Charles A. Pace, it has grown from a single-room accounting school into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university is particularly known for its programs in business, health professions, computer science, and the arts, leveraging its strategic locations to provide extensive experiential learning and career opportunities.

History

The institution was founded as the Pace Institute by the Pace brothers, who were pioneers in the field of accounting education and former employees of the New York State Society of CPAs. Initially operating from a single classroom in the New York Tribune Building, the school quickly gained a reputation for practical business training. A significant early milestone was its 1948 merger with the New York State College of Forestry, which later evolved into separate environmental programs. The university achieved formal accreditation and expanded its curriculum throughout the mid-20th century, culminating in the 1973 establishment of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains, New York. Under the leadership of presidents like Edward J. Mortola and later Stephen J. Friedman, the university undertook substantial campus development and program expansion, solidifying its position in the New York metropolitan area.

Campuses

Pace University operates three primary campuses across New York. The New York City campus is centered in Lower Manhattan, with major academic buildings like One Pace Plaza and the recently developed modern residence hall at 15 Beekman, situated near the civic center of New York City government. The Westchester campuses are located in Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor, offering a more traditional suburban setting with significant green space. The Elisabeth Haub School of Law maintains its own campus in White Plains, New York. Each location provides distinct resources, with the Manhattan campus deeply integrated into the city's financial and tech sectors, and the Westchester campuses hosting extensive science laboratories and performing arts facilities.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges and schools, including the Lubin School of Business, the College of Health Professions, the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Education. It offers over 100 undergraduate majors and 80 graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in fields like nursing and psychology. Notable academic strengths include its business programs, which are accredited by the AACSB, and its nationally ranked environmental law program at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The university emphasizes experiential learning through its Pace Path program, which integrates internships, research, and study abroad opportunities, with strong ties to major corporations and organizations in the New York City region.

Student life

Student life is active across all campuses, with over 100 student-run clubs and organizations encompassing academic societies, cultural groups like the Black Student Union, and performing arts ensembles. The university hosts numerous events through its departments and the Student Government Association. Greek life is present with several chapters of national fraternities and sororities. Residential life is a key component, with multiple modern residence halls in both Manhattan and Westchester County, New York. Major annual events include Leadership Conferences, cultural festivals, and the President's Concert Series, which has featured performances by the New York Philharmonic.

Athletics

Pace University's athletic teams, known as the Setters, compete primarily at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Northeast-10 Conference. The university fields 14 varsity teams, including men's and women's basketball, lacrosse, baseball, and softball. The primary athletic facilities are located on the Pleasantville campus, centered around the Goldstein Fitness Center and Finnerty Field. The Setters have won multiple conference championships, particularly in women's lacrosse and swimming. The university also supports a variety of intramural and club sports, catering to a wide range of student interests.

Notable alumni

Pace University has a distinguished alumni network spanning business, law, entertainment, and public service. Notable graduates include Ivan G. Seidenberg, former CEO of Verizon Communications; Melvin L. Watt, former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency; and Robert Wood Johnson IV, owner of the New York Jets. In the legal field, alumni include Denny Chin, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The entertainment industry is represented by actors like Rosie Perez and Yancey Arias. Other prominent figures include Francesca Gino, a professor at Harvard Business School, and John P. O'Grady, a leader in the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Category:Universities and colleges in New York (state) Category:Educational institutions established in 1906 Category:NCAA Division II institutions