Wikipedia

St. Francis College

This article is about the college in New York City. For the college in Pennsylvania formerly known as Saint Francis College, seeSaint Francis University (Pennsylvania).For other uses, seeUniversity of Saint Francis.

St. Francis College(St. Francis of BrooklynorSFC) is aprivateFranciscancollege inDowntown Brooklyn,New York City.It was founded in 1859 by theFranciscan Brothers of Brooklynas the St. Francis Academy and was the first private school in theDiocese of Brooklyn.St. Francis College began as aparochialall-boys academy in theCity of Brooklynand has become a small liberal arts college that has 19 academic departments offering 72 majors and minors.

St. Francis College
Former names
St. Francis Academy (1859–1884)
MottoLatin:Deus Meus et Omnia
Motto in English
My God, My All
TypePrivate college
Established1859;166 years ago(1859)
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic(Franciscan)
Academic affiliations
AFCU
ACCU
NAICU
MSA
EndowmentUS$30.757 million (2023)[1]
PresidentTim Cecere
ProvostJohn Edwards (acting)
Academic staff
94 FT/ 189 PT (2023)[2]
Students3,552[3]
Undergraduates1,934[3](2023)
Postgraduates1,618 (2023)
Address
179 Livingston Street
,
Downtown Brooklyn(New York, New York)
,
U.S.
CampusUrban
ColorsBlue & red
NicknameTerriers
Sporting affiliations
None
Websitehttps:// sfc.edu/

St. Francis College is a predominantly undergraduate institution with some graduate programs; it is considered acommuter college.As of 2021, there were 2,372 undergraduates and 117 graduate students.[2]

History

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Baltic and Butler Street Campus

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In 1858, John McMahon and Vincent Hayes, Franciscan priests from the Roundstone Monastery in Ireland came to the United States to begin work on establishing an academy dedicated to educating underprivileged youth in theBrooklyn diocese.[4]This was done at the request of the Bishop of Brooklyn, Reverend John Loughlin. In 1859, St. Francis College was founded as the St. Francis Academy, the first Catholic school inBrooklyn.[5][6]St. Francis Academy opened in a building on 300 Baltic Street inCobble Hill, Brooklyn,with 30 students and six Franciscan priests. The first president was John McMahon, one of the founders. The academy expanded and grew to encompass sixrow houses,with 150 feet (46 m) of frontage, and a formerMethodistChurch on Baltic Street.[6]

In 1868, the academy was incorporated, and on May 8, 1884, it was chartered: the trustees of the academy received permission from the New York State Legislature to "establish a literary college in the City of Brooklyn under the title of St. Francis College, with the same powers to confer diplomas and literary honors possessed by the universities and colleges of New York State."[6]St. Francis Academy became St. Francis College and, in June 1885, bestowed its firstBachelor of Arts degree.By 1884, St. Francis College encompassed interconnected buildings that were on Baltic and Butler Streets, between Court and Smith Streets. The entrance to the college was on Baltic Street, and the entrance to the monastery on Butler Street.[7]In June 1892, the college conferred it firstBachelor of Science degree.In 1896, St. Francis fielded the first collegiate men's basketball team in New York City. Then, in May 1902, St. Francis received its charter from the State of New York. From this time on, the college's curriculum offered only a post-secondary course of study. By 1917, the college's enrollment dropped to half, due to students enlisting in the military as the United States enteredWorld War I.In 1926, the Franciscan Brothers opened a new facility on Butler Street, after raising US$250,000 through a fundraising campaign dubbed the "Great Drive."[8]About 10 years later, its preparatory school moved out and eventually became a legally separate institution,St. Francis Preparatory School,which is located inQueens.

Photograph of St. Francis College graduates, circa 1899

As the U.S. moved closer to its entrance into World War II, 240 students were enrolled at St. Francis.[4]While the student body remained mostly Irish, the changing demographics of working-class Brooklyn were reflected in the growing number of Italian-American students. By the spring semester of 1944, when the war was at its peak, the number of students enrolled had dropped to 45. Most of those still enrolled were members of the Franciscan order and those exempt from military service (12 SFC students gave their lives to the war effort). After the War and with the passage of theG.I. Bill,which paid tuition for returning soldiers, enrollment at St. Francis increased to 878 students.[4]In 1957, theRegents of the University of the State of New Yorkgranted an absolute charter to the trustees of the college, making it a separate legal entity from the St. Francis Monastery. The new corporate status enabled St. Francis students to qualify for federal financial aid. Shortly after, in 1959, theMiddle States Commission on Higher Educationaccredited St. Francis College.[4]After these developments, the college embarked on an expansion program. In 1960, it was announced that five office buildings in the Brooklyn Civic Center were purchased for $5 million from the Brooklyn Union Gas Company.[9]In 1961, the college purchased theHerman Behr Mansionin Brooklyn Heights to serve as a residence for the Franciscan Brothers, signaling the move fromCobble HilltoBrooklyn Heights.[10]

Remsen Street Campus

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SFC's Administration Building at its former campus at176 Remsen Streetin Brooklyn Heights

In 1963, the college relocated to Remsen Street inBrooklyn Heights,where it had purchased five office buildings from theBrooklyn Union Gas Company,allowing it to double its enrollment.[11]One of the office buildings, at176 Remsen Street,became SFC's Administration Building; that structure was constructed in 1914 by Brooklyn architectFrank Freeman.The college started the expansion of its facilities with the construction of the Science and Technology Building in 1968, the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex in 1971, and the Student Services Building, which also had housing to accommodate theFranciscan Brothersand provided space for faculty.[12][13]In 1969, the college became a co-educational institution, and additional property was purchased on both Remsen and Joralemon Streets, allowing enrollment to exceed 3,000 students.

In 2003, St. Francis College completed a new athletic and event facility atop the college's basketball court: the Anthony J. Genovesi Center. In fall 2005, the 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2) Frank and Mary Macchiarola Academic Center opened, which included the new St. Francis College Library, classrooms equipped with wireless internet access,smart boards,and multimedia technology, a theater/lecture hall, updated facilities for the Communication Arts department, gathering spaces such as a lounge withWi-Fifor students, and office space for several academic departments. The Frank and Mary Macchiarola Academic Center was built where the old McGarry Library once stood. The old library was housed in "a little 1857 palazzo a half-block from Brooklyn's Borough Hall"[14]and was part of the original purchase made from theBrooklyn Union Gas Companyin 1960.

Livingston Street Campus

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In the summer of 2022, after nearly 60 years at Remsen Street, St. Francis College moved to a new facility at 179 Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn.[15]Key features of the new campus include a 260-seat cafeteria; a 50-seat outdoor terrace exclusively for use by SFC students, faculty, and staff; a 38-seat chapel; a 300-seat auditorium; a 32-seat tiered screening room; a 6,600-square-foot library; two art galleries; and space for student gatherings.

Campus

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St. Francis College is located at 179 Livingston Street, inDowntown Brooklyn,and encompasses three floors in the Wheeler Building, a building atop the iconicMacy’sdepartment store. St. Francis College does not have a dedicateddormitoryfor its students and, as such, is acommuter school.[citation needed]

Academics

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St. Francis College confersassociate's degrees,bachelor's degrees,andmaster's degrees.In addition to these degrees, the college grants certifications for teaching and nursing. Affiliation agreements with theSUNY Downstate Medical Center,New York University College of Dentistry,andNew York College of Podiatric Medicineenable students to pursue degrees toward becomingphysician assistants,radiologists,andphysicaloroccupational therapistsand to acquire advanced standing in professional programs indentistryandpodiatrybefore the completion of the baccalaureate degree. For students who excel academically and participate in extracurricular activities that embody the "Franciscan spirit," St. Francis College established the Duns Scotus Honor Society.[16]It was founded in 1935 by Rev. James A. Sullivan and is named forJohn Duns Scotus,aFranciscanscholar.

Graduate Programs

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St. Francis has five graduate programs: a five-year combined bachelor's and master's degree in accounting and in psychology; a two-year accounting master's program; a master's program in psychology; a master's program in management; and a 2.5-year low residency in creative writing (MFA). In 2007, the college added the combinedB.S./M.S.degree in accounting. The first students graduated from the program in 2008, on the college's 150th anniversary.[17]In 2010, the college added the second graduate degree, a two-year master's degree in Professional Accountancy.[18]In 2012, a combinedB.S./M.S.degree in Psychology was added that offers two concentrations, one in Applied Psychology and another in Psychology Research.[19]Also in 2012, the Graduate Certificate in Project Management was launched.[20]In 2017, the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program was launched.[21]

Institutes and Centers

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St. Francis College hosts several institutes and centers, including the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Institute for International and Cross-Cultural Psychology, the Women's Studies Center, the Center of Excellence in Project Management, and the Center for Crime and Popular Culture.[22]

Women's Studies Center

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The Center for Women's and Gender Studies opened in 1997. St. Francis College offers a Women's Studies minor.[23]

Institute for International and Cross-Cultural Psychology

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TheInstitute for International and Cross-Cultural Psychology(IICCP) was founded in 1998. It has become a center for the advancement of cross-cultural psychology andinternational psychology.It is supported by an international advisory board of psychologists from six countries. Members of the institute have engaged in a series of research projects, edited books, sponsored conferences, and introduced novel curriculum development.[24]The institute has supported the writing and editing of numerous publications in international psychology, including 17 books in five countries.[25]

Center of Excellence in Project Management

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The Center of Excellence in Project Management launched in 2011[26]and held its first annual Practical Research Forum on June 6, 2011, a series of lectures combining academic theory and real-world project-management experiences.[27]

Rankings

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Academic rankings
Baccalaureate
Washington Monthly[28]58
Regional
U.S. News & World Report[29]13
National
Forbes[30]625

From 2008 to the present, St. Francis College has been ranked annually in theForbesMagazine Best Colleges List. Its rankings have ranged from 268th to 625th out of 650 national institutions of higher learning.

St. Francis College has also been named byU.S. News & World Reportas one of the top Baccalaureate Colleges in the North from 2008 to the present.[31]It is considered byU.S. News & World Reportas a Tier 1 Baccalaureate College, and its ranking has ranged from 9th to 29th.[32][33]From 2017 to the present,U.S. News & World Reporthas added other criteria for rankings, such as Best Value Schools, Best College for Social Mobility, and Best College for Veterans.[34][35]

From 2014 to the present, St. Francis College has been ranked byMoneymagazine in quality of education, affordability, and outcomes for students. The college has been ranked between 269 and 511 out of 1,500 schools nationally.[36]

Demographics

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The total enrollment at St. Francis College is 2,489, of which 38% are male and 62% are female. St. Francis College has been ranked byThe New York Timesas one of the more diverse colleges in the United States.[37]85% of students enrolled are below the age of 24. Below is the 2020 enrollment data for St. Francis College by race and ethnicity.[2]

  • American Indian or Alaskan Native: 1%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander: 4%
  • Black non-Hispanic: 24%
  • Hispanic: 28%
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 1%
  • White non-Hispanic: 26%
  • Two or more races: 3%
  • Race/ethnicity unknown: 4%
  • Non-resident immigrant: 9%

In 2020, St. Francis College welcomed its largest ever freshman class, with 747 students.[19]

Athletics

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Main article:St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers
Wordmark logo for theSt. Francis Brooklyn Terriers.

Prior to 2023, St. Francis competed in theNCAA'sNortheast Conference.Theirmascotis theTerrierand was officially adopted by the Athletic Association in 1933.[4]Students participated on 21Division Iathletic teams.[38]On March 20, 2023 St. Francis announced that they would drop athletics after the Spring 2023 semester.[39]

Several teams played at off-campus facilities. These include: the soccer teams, which played atBrooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5;the outdoor track team, which competed atIcahn Stadium;the indoor track team, which competed at theNew Balance Track & Field Center;the golf team, which played at theDyker Beach Golf Course;and the tennis team, which played at theUSTA National Tennis Center.

Basketball

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Main article:St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers men's basketball
Main article:St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers women's basketball

The St. Francis College men's basketball team, founded in 1896, was the oldest collegiate program inNew York City.[40]In the Terriers' 117-year history, they won six regular season championships, had four postseason NIT bids, and one postseason CIT bid. The Terrier's had their best season in 1955–56 under head coachDaniel Lynch,they posted a 21–4 record that ranked them 13th nationally in the AP polls and reached the NIT semi-finals.[41]Then, duringRon Ganulin's tenure as head coach in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the team was one of the best in theNEC;from 1998 through 2004, St. Francis posted a 78–36 conference record. At the time Ganulin's assistant wasGlenn Braica,who held the position from 2010 to 2023.[42]Under Braica, the Terriers won the 2014–15 NEC Regular Season Championship and participated in the 2015 NIT and the 2019 CIT.

The St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers women's basketball kicked off intercollegiate athletics at St. Francis College in 1973. Since the 1988–89 season the women's basketball team was a member of the Northeast Conference. The Terrier's had their best season in2014–15underJohn Thurstonby winning theNEC Tournament Championshipand receiving the program's firstNCAA bid.Also under Thurston, the 2013–14 squad set the single-season program record with 19 victories.[citation needed]

Soccer

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Main article:St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers men's soccer

TheSFC men's soccer teamwas founded in 1968 and joined theNortheast Conferencein 1985. In their history, the Terriers have won 5 NEC Regular Season Championships and 8 NEC Tournament Championships.[43]Their 8 Tournament Championships are the most in the conference. The Terriers have also participated in nineNCAA tournaments,their best showing came in 1978 when they made it to the Elite Eight and were ranked 6th nationally. Since joining the NEC, the Terriers have had NCAA Tournament Play-in games on three occasions ('95, '96 and '98) and four NCAA Tournament appearances (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). In the 2015 season, the Terriers were nationally ranked at 22nd in the country.

Water polo

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TheSt. Francis College men's water polo teamhas enjoyed much success and is one of the best teams on the east coast. In consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, they won theEastern College Athletic ConferenceChampionships and theCWPANorthern Division Championships.[44][45]The Terriers have finished between 1st and forth in the Eastern Championships from 1999 to 2007. In 2005, they finished first and qualified for theNCAA National Championshipsand finished forth at theFinal Four.[44]In 2010, the Terriers made it to the Final Four, finishing fourth and were ranked 10th in the country. In 2012, the men's water polo team won the Eastern Championship for the third time in the program's history and earned an NCAA Final Four berth. The Terriers also went on to defeat Air Force to win their first national tournament match for a third-place finish.[46]In 2013, the Terriers won the Eastern Championship for the fourth time in the program's history and earned an NCAA Final Four berth, finishing 4th.

Notable alumni

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Main articles:List of St. Francis College peopleandList of St. Francis College Presidents

The St. Francis College Alumni Association was founded in 1887.[47]

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Different locations at St. Francis College's former campus in Brooklyn Heights were used as backdrops for various scenes for film and television. The Aquatic Center's pool was used to film scenes for the movieAcross the Universe(2007) and the HBO comedy seriesFlight of the Conchords.[48][49]ThePeter Aquilone Courthas been used for filming by theLate Show with David LettermanandThe Today Show.[49]The Thomas J. and Anita Volpe Lounge was used by the popular TV showGossip Girlto film scenes forSeason 4, Episode 10:Gaslit.[50]

References

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  2. ^abc"St. Francis College".nces.ed.gov. 2011.Retrieved2011-10-05.
  3. ^ab"St. Francis College".nces.ed.gov.Retrieved24 December2024.
  4. ^abcde"Terrier Magazine Fall 2007 Issue"(PDF).SFC.edu.Retrieved4 November2012.
  5. ^"St. Francis College".Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-12.Retrieved17 August2010.
  6. ^abc"Franciscans Their work in Brooklyn as Educators of Youth".Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-12.Retrieved17 August2010.
  7. ^"Brooklyn Catholic Schools".Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-12.Retrieved17 August2010.
  8. ^"ST. FRANCIS WIDENS COLLEGE FACILITIES; New Building Improved to Provide Enlarged Library and Meeting Rooms".The New York Times.1938-12-04.Retrieved2010-08-16.
  9. ^"ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE PLANNING EXPANSION".New York Times.Retrieved10 June2016.
  10. ^Lisa M. Santoro (4 May 2016)."The Many Lives of Brooklyn's Herman Behr Mansion".Curbed New York.Retrieved6 May2016.
  11. ^"ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE DEDICATES CENTER".New York Times.Retrieved8 June2016.
  12. ^"NEWS OF REALTY: PLOT ASSEMBLED".New York Times.Retrieved29 July2016.
  13. ^"St. Francis Plans 2 New Buildings".New York Times.Retrieved29 July2016.
  14. ^Gray, Christopher (2004-11-28)."The Little-Noticed Demise of a Preservation Miracle".The New York Times.Retrieved2010-07-14.
  15. ^"St. Francis College-Brooklyn soon to debut new campus".cbsnews.2022-08-15.Retrieved2023-06-06.
  16. ^"Duns Scotus Honor Society".sfc.edu. 2008.Retrieved2010-07-11.
  17. ^"St. Francis College Graduate Programs".sfc.edu.Retrieved14 October2012.
  18. ^"Master's in Professional Accountancy".sfc.edu.Retrieved14 October2012.
  19. ^abSchmerl, Leah (2020-10-19)."St. Francis College Enrolls Largest-Ever Freshmen Class, Bucking National Trends".SFC Newsroom.SFC.edu.Retrieved2020-10-19.
  20. ^"CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES WITH PRACTICAL RESEARCH FORUM HOSTED WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (PMI)".St. Francis College.Retrieved15 October2012.
  21. ^"St. Francis College Awards its First Master of Fine Arts Degrees".SFC.edu.Retrieved31 July2019.
  22. ^"Institutes & Centers".St. Francis College.Retrieved2022-08-21.
  23. ^"Academics".St. Francis College.Retrieved2022-08-21.
  24. ^"The Institute for International & Cross-Cultural Psychology".SFC.edu. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-26.Retrieved14 October2012.
  25. ^"IICCP".iiccp.freeservers.Retrieved1 February2011.
  26. ^"CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES WITH PRACTICAL RESEARCH FORUM HOSTED WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (PMI)".St. Francis college.Retrieved15 October2012.
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  28. ^"2024 Bachelor's Colleges Rankings".Washington Monthly.August 25, 2024.RetrievedAugust 29,2024.
  29. ^"2024-2025 Best Regional Universities Rankings".U.S. News & World Report.September 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 22,2024.
  30. ^"America's Top Colleges 2024".Forbes.September 6, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 10,2024.
  31. ^"St. Francis College Takes Top Spots in U.S. News & World Report's Latest College Rankings".sfc.edu.Retrieved2020-12-17.
  32. ^"Baccalaureate Colleges (North) Rankings".U.S. News & World Report. 2009.Retrieved2010-07-08.
  33. ^"Best Colleges 2011".U.S. News & World Report.Retrieved17 August2010.
  34. ^"NEC Schools Shine In 2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings".NortheastConference.org.Retrieved20 September2016.
  35. ^"St. Francis College - Profile, Rankings and Data".U.S. News & World Report.
  36. ^"Money Best Colleges 2020".Money.August 25, 2020.Retrieved17 November2014.
  37. ^"Colleges of Many Colors".The New York Times.2006-11-05.Retrieved2007-08-15.
  38. ^"Women's Soccer to Become Terriers 21st NCAA Division I Team".St. Francis Brooklyn Athletics.24 June 2018.Retrieved2020-12-17.
  39. ^"St. Francis College Restructures to Advance" SFC Forward, "COO Tim…".St. Francis College.Retrieved2023-03-28.
  40. ^"St. Francis (NY) Names Brian Nash Men's Basketball Coach".NEC. 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-08.Retrieved2010-07-08.
  41. ^Dicker, Ron (1999-01-26)."College Basketball: Men's Notebook -- St. Francis".The New York Times.Retrieved2010-07-14.
  42. ^"NCAA Division I coaching changes".ESPN.2010.Retrieved2010-07-08.
  43. ^"NEC Men' Soccer History".northeastconference.org.Retrieved3 November2011.
  44. ^ab"St. Francis College Accolades".SFC.edu. 2010.RetrievedJuly 20,2010.
  45. ^"Men's Water Polo".ECACSports. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-08-19.RetrievedJuly 25,2010.
  46. ^"St. Francis (N.Y.) wins first national tourney match for third-place finish".ncaa.Retrieved3 December2012.
  47. ^"SFC Alumni Association".sfc.edu. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-02.Retrieved17 May2011.
  48. ^"Sets: Across the Universe".NYC.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 22 October 2011.Retrieved26 January2012.
  49. ^ab"SFC Film Shoots".sfc.edu. Archived fromthe originalon 3 July 2011.Retrieved26 January2012.
  50. ^"SFC says xoxo to Gossip Girl".SFCToday. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-27.Retrieved26 January2012.
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