Bronx Community College

Bronx Community College. Founded in 1957, it is a senior college within the City University of New York system, situated in the University Heights section of The Bronx. The college is renowned for its historic campus, a designated National Historic Landmark District originally built for New York University, and its mission to provide accessible higher education. It offers a range of associate degree programs and certificates, serving a diverse student body and contributing significantly to the educational landscape of New York City.

History

The institution was established in 1957 by an act of the New York State Legislature, initially operating as an extension of Hunter College before becoming an independent entity within the City University of New York system in 1968. Its original location was at the former Manhattan site of the New York University School of Law, but it relocated to its current, more expansive campus in 1973. This move involved acquiring the historic University Heights campus from New York University, a complex designed by the renowned architect Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White. Throughout its history, the college has been a critical access point for higher education in the Bronx, particularly for first-generation college students and immigrants, aligning with the broader mission of the City University of New York during the era of open admissions.

Campus

The campus is a 45-acre National Historic Landmark District, celebrated for its collection of Beaux-Arts buildings designed by the firm McKim, Mead & White for New York University in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Central to the campus is the iconic Gould Memorial Library, a rotunda building modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, and the adjacent Hall of Fame for Great Americans, an outdoor colonnade honoring prominent figures in American history. Other significant structures include the Philosophy Hall and the Cornelius Baker Hall of Languages, all situated on a bluff overlooking the Harlem River. The campus also features modern facilities like the North Hall and Library and the Meister Hall, which house contemporary classrooms, science laboratories, and the Roscoe Brown Student Center.

Academics

The college offers over 40 academic programs leading to associate degrees in fields such as liberal arts, science, applied science, and career-oriented studies. Key departments include the Division of Health Sciences, which offers programs in nursing and allied health, and the Department of Engineering, Physics, and Technology. It maintains articulation agreements with senior colleges within the City University of New York, such as Lehman College and City College of New York, to facilitate bachelor's degree transfer. The college is also home to the Center for Sustainable Energy, focusing on green technology education, and participates in federal programs like the National Science Foundation's STEM initiatives to support underrepresented students in science and engineering fields.

Student Life

Student life is supported by the Roscoe Brown Student Center, which hosts numerous student clubs, cultural organizations, and student government activities. The campus is home to intercollegiate athletic teams, known as the Broncos, which compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association and the CUNY Athletic Conference in sports like basketball, soccer, and track and field. A variety of cultural events, lectures, and performances are held throughout the year, often in venues like the Gould Memorial Library or the Colonnade. Support services are extensive, including the Academic Success Center, Veterans Affairs office, and programs like CUNY Start and College Discovery designed to bolster student achievement and retention.

Notable Alumni

The institution's alumni have achieved distinction in diverse fields such as politics, science, arts, and public service. Notable graduates include Herman Badillo, the first Puerto Rican-born United States Congressman; Roscoe Brown, a famed Tuskegee Airmen commander and former president of the college; and Lorraine Montenegro, a prominent television news anchor for WABC-TV. In the arts, alumnus Oscar Hijuelos won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel *The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love*, while Carlos J. Serrano** served in the New York State Assembly. Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson**, though he attended, completed his degree elsewhere, maintains a connection to the college's legacy in science education.

Category:City University of New York Category:Universities and colleges in New York City Category:Educational institutions established in 1957 Category:The Bronx