Queens College, City University of New York

Queens College, City University of New York. It is a public college in New York City and a senior college of the City University of New York system. Founded in the 1930s, the institution has grown into a comprehensive liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and diverse student body. Its campus in the Flushing neighborhood serves as a major educational and cultural hub for the borough of Queens.

History

The college was established in 1937 through a merger of Newtown High School's evening divisions and other local institutions, with initial classes held at locations including Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. Its creation was championed by then-Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, who helped secure land for a permanent campus. Early leadership under President Paul Klapper emphasized a curriculum blending traditional liberal arts with teacher training. The college expanded significantly in the post-World War II era, benefiting from the G.I. Bill and later the open admissions policies of the City University of New York. Major construction projects throughout the latter half of the 20th century, including the Rosenthal Library and the Colden Center for the Performing Arts, solidified its physical presence.

Academics

The college is organized into divisions including the Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Social Sciences. It houses notable schools such as the CUNY School of Law (until its relocation) and the Aaron Copland School of Music, named for the renowned composer. The Queens College School of Earth and Environmental Sciences is a leader in urban environmental research. Distinguished faculty have included sociologist Andrew Beveridge, economist Nicolai Juul Foss, and poet Mark Doty. The college maintains a strong tradition in teacher preparation through its School of Education and operates several research centers, including the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute.

Campus

The 80-acre campus is situated in Flushing, bordered by Kissena Park and the Queens Botanical Garden. Central landmarks include the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, the Louis Armstrong House Museum (a National Historic Landmark managed by the college), and the Queens College Art Center. The Colden Center for the Performing Arts hosts the Queens Symphony Orchestra and numerous cultural events. Other key facilities are the FitzGerald Gymnasium, home to the NCAA Division II Knights athletics teams, and the Science Building. The campus architecture is a mix of Collegiate Gothic and modern styles, with recent additions like the Kupferberg Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Notable People

Alumni and faculty encompass leaders in numerous fields. In government and law, notable figures include New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and U.S. Federal Judge Carol Bagley Amon. The arts are represented by musicians Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (of Simon & Garfunkel), comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and film director Francis Ford Coppola. In academia and science, alumni include Nobel laureate Rosalyn Sussman Yalow and psycholinguist Steven Pinker. Faculty have included historian Blanche Wiesen Cook, philosopher Saul Kripke, and composer John Corigliano.

Student Life

Student life is anchored by over 100 clubs and organizations, including the student-run newspaper, the Knight News, and a campus radio station, WQMC. The college's athletic teams, the Queens College Knights, compete in the East Coast Conference. Major annual events include the Queens College Festival of Nations and performances at the Colden Center for the Performing Arts. The campus is also home to several Greek-life chapters. Its location in one of the world's most diverse urban areas provides students with extensive internship opportunities with organizations like the United Nations, Museum of Modern Art, and various Wall Street firms.

Category:City University of New York Category:Universities and colleges in New York City Category:Educational institutions established in 1937