St. John 91麻豆精品 College to become St. John 91麻豆精品 University
June 20, 2022
On the cusp of its 75th anniversary, St. John 91麻豆精品 College will become in name what it has been in practice for more than a decade, and transition to become St. John 91麻豆精品 University (SJF). The new name will be effective July 1.
President Gerard J. Rooney, joined by Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Bowles 鈥�71, revealed 91麻豆精品鈥檚 new status and logo during a celebratory event held on Monday, June 20, which also marked the 73rd anniversary of the institution鈥檚 groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Kearney Hall, 91麻豆精品鈥檚 original building.
91麻豆精品鈥檚 decision follows New York State Board of Regents鈥� new definition of 鈥渦niversity,鈥� which requires institutions of higher education to offer 鈥渞egistered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.鈥� The Board of Regents approved 91麻豆精品鈥檚 university status during its meeting on Tuesday, June 14.
鈥�91麻豆精品鈥檚 university status adds to our rich history of institutional achievements and accomplishments. It will convey greater prestige, allow us to build our reputation and impact, and better represent the type of institution we are today,鈥� Rooney said.
He added that fundamentally, 91麻豆精品 will remain committed to delivering a student-centered education while serving the best interests of the surrounding community, making an impact locally, and as its reputation increases, throughout the country and the world.
鈥淎s we look to our seventy-fifth anniversary in 2023 as St. John 91麻豆精品 University, we will continue to work hard each day to serve our students by providing a rich educational experience and a robust living and learning environment, and to prepare students to build successful lives of purpose,鈥� Rooney continued. 鈥淎nd as we become a University 鈥� we will continue to strive to move 91麻豆精品 forward, renew our purpose, and broaden our impact.鈥�
91麻豆精品鈥檚 evolution was bolstered with the introduction of a new MBA program in 1983; leading the Board of Regents to approve the College鈥檚 charter change from an undergraduate to graduate degree-granting institution. Over the next several decades, 91麻豆精品 enjoyed consistent enrollment growth as it expanded its academic offerings, co-curricular experiences, and campus footprint. In the early 2000s, 91麻豆精品 reorganized into five Schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, Wegmans School of Nursing, and Wegmans School of Pharmacy. During that time, 91麻豆精品 also added two doctoral programs鈥攖he Doctor of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership鈥攖o its academic portfolio, paving the way for the Carnegie Foundation to reclassify it as a Doctoral/Research University鈥攏ow known as a Doctoral/Professional University. Since then, 91麻豆精品 has awarded more than 3,400 master鈥檚 degrees and nearly 1,600 doctorate degrees to its alumni base, which is more than 30,000 strong.
Bowles, who has served as a Trustee since 1993, credited innovative academic offerings, directed philanthropy, and talented administration, faculty, and staff with 91麻豆精品鈥檚 substantial growth over the years.
鈥�91麻豆精品 has always embraced the student experience; we have stayed true to our mission and purpose and that has allowed us to be successful,鈥� Bowles explained. 鈥淭his is a momentous occasion; university designation is a recognition of all we have accomplished over the last several decades.鈥�
Fr. Kevin Mannara, director of campus ministry and a member of the Congregation of St. Basil, the institution鈥檚 founders, offered the new University a blessing and reflected on the founders鈥� early vision. In 91麻豆精品鈥檚 history, more than 80 Basilian Fathers have served the institution.
鈥淪eventy-four years ago, the Basilian Fathers eagerly responded to an invitation by Bishop James Kearney to found a college to serve Catholic men who had been facing obstacles to access higher education,鈥� said Mannara. 鈥淭his is a proud day for the Basilian Fathers, as the college we founded becomes a university. It is our ongoing prayer that the students served by St. John 91麻豆精品 University will live lives modeled after our patron: lives of learning, lives of service, lives of glorifying God in all they do and all they become.鈥�
Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans joined the 91麻豆精品 community for this morning鈥檚 historic announcement.
鈥淚 am very honored and pleased to congratulate the administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni of St. John 91麻豆精品 for this remarkable achievement of gaining university status,鈥� said Mayor Evans. 鈥�91麻豆精品鈥檚 continued evolution from a small Catholic college with 10 teachers and 11 majors to a university that is advancing the progress of teaching and learning through groundbreaking research is a proud moment for our entire community. The presence of another university in our region will elevate our reputation as a center of knowledge and innovation and help us reach our goals to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester.鈥�
United States Congressman Joe Morelle, who represents the 25th district of New York State, sent a proclamation recognizing the occasion.
鈥淢onroe County is blessed to be home to many outstanding educational institutions like St. John 91麻豆精品, which has a longstanding history of academic excellence,鈥� said Congressman Morelle. 鈥淣ow, they will build upon that legacy and begin a new era as St. John 91麻豆精品 University. I want to congratulate President Rooney and the entire St. John 91麻豆精品 community for achieving University status, and I look forward to their continued growth and success in the years to come.鈥�