The State University of New York at Old Westbury was founded in 1965 as the State University of New York College at Old Westbury by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees. It began in 1968 at Planting Fields, the former Coe Estate and arboretum in Oyster Bay, New York. In 1971, the university moved to its present Old Westbury site in Nassau County, Long Island – an estate, known as "Broad Hollow," formerly owned by agriculturist, industrialist, sportsman and philanthropist F. Ambrose Clark.[6]
The first president of the Old Westbury campus college was John D. Maguire, who had been a religion professor at Wesleyan University and a civil rights activist. He aimed to create a university devoted to social justice and racial equality.[7]
In 2023, the college gained status as a university, becoming the State University of New York at Old Westbury.[9]
Academics
There are over 50 degree programs available at the university.
Of the university's 166 full-time professors,[10] approximately 80% hold the highest degree in their discipline. Eight members of the faculty have been named Distinguished Teaching or Service Professors by the State University of New York,[11] which are among the highest ranks available in the university system.[12]
The university's school week runs on a Monday–Thursday schedule, instead of Monday–Friday as at most colleges and universities. Students taking science courses usually (but not always) have labs scheduled on Fridays.
The university also has a "dry campus" policy – no alcohol allowed.
Athletics
SUNY Old Westbury teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III.[14] The Panthers are a member of the Skyline Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.
Athletic facilities
The F. Ambrose Clark Physical Education & Recreation Center, aka the Clark Athletic Center, houses a 25-meter swimming pool; a gymnasium with seating for 2,000; a strength and conditioning facility; and an aerobic workout room with physical fitness accessories.
The neighboring Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex, dedicated in 2006, adjoins the Clark Center. It includes a baseball stadium and softball field. The baseball stadium seatings more than 1,000 fans, and a press box is available for game announcers and media personnel.
The university features two soccer fields, eight tennis courts, and two outdoor recreational basketball courts. Runners in cross country competition train on European-styled courses that traverse Old Westbury's 604-acre (2.44 km2) wooded campus.
^universtity Catalog, Pg 217-221 "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2010-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"About Us". 27 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.