St. John's University Staten Island: Student Population Insights

St. John's University is a private Catholic university in Queens, New York City, with additional campuses in Staten Island, Manhattan, and international campuses in Rome, Paris, and Limerick. The Staten Island campus was originally Notre Dame College, which became part of St. John's University in 1971. The Staten Island campus spans 16.5 acres and combines compact charm with superb resources, serving over 2,000 students. However, due to declining enrolment, the Staten Island campus closed in May 2024.

St. John's University's Staten Island campus closed in May 2024

St. John's University's Staten Island campus closed its doors in May 2024, marking the end of a 50-plus-year run in the borough. The closure was due to decreased enrollment, with the total enrollment at the Staten Island campus 63% lower in fall 2022 than it was in 2000. The university's decision was announced in August 2022, giving students time to adjust their plans.

The university stated that juniors, seniors, and graduate students would be able to complete their degrees on Staten Island as planned. Current freshmen and sophomores would have degree completion plans drawn up, which could include financial assistance to finish their studies on the Queens campus. The university did not enroll a freshman class in the fall of 2023.

The Staten Island campus of St. John's University had a rich history, dating back to its days as Notre Dame College. At its peak, the campus served over 2,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The 16.5-acre campus featured lawns, apartment-style residences, and architectural styles ranging from red-brick colonial to modern.

The closure of the Staten Island campus was an emotional event for many students, faculty, and alumni. Students shared mixed feelings about the transition, with some accelerating their studies to graduate early and others looking forward to the move to the Queens campus. Faculty members were also impacted, with some having to relocate to the Queens campus and others reflecting on the sense of community and family that the Staten Island campus fostered.

The university established a scholarship fund to support future Staten Island residents enrolling at the Queens campus, demonstrating its commitment to the Staten Island community despite the closure.

The Staten Island campus was 16.5 acres and served over 2,000 students

St. John's University is a private Catholic university in Queens, New York City, that was founded in 1870. The university's Staten Island campus was originally Notre Dame College, which became part of St. John's University in 1971. The Staten Island campus expanded to 16.5 acres and served over 2,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The campus features lawns, apartment-style student residences, and architectural styles ranging from red-brick colonial to modern.

The history of the Staten Island campus began with the purchase of the John Gans Family Estate on Grymes Hill in 1934 for Notre Dame College of Staten Island. The family's home became the first campus building and was renamed Flynn Hall after the college's founder, Sister Helen Flynn. Over the years, the campus grew with the addition of Lavelle Hall, dedicated in 1938, and the Science Hall, dedicated in 1945. The college purchased the neighbouring Herbert Gans Estate in 1955, doubling the size of the campus. This allowed for the establishment of the Cardinal Spellman Library, dedicated in 1956.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, St. John's University underwent a period of consolidation, with the former Notre Dame College of Staten Island joining the university. This expansion provided extensive and modern classrooms, food and recreation facilities, ample parking, and a pastoral setting for students. The first building constructed by St. John's University on the Staten Island campus was the Loretto Memorial Library, which opened in 1972. The Kelleher Center, dedicated in 1998, and the DaSilva Academic Center, dedicated in 2004, are among the other notable buildings on the campus.

The Staten Island campus offered a unique experience for students, combining compact charm with superb resources. It was conveniently located just minutes from central New York City, making it easily accessible for students. However, due to declining enrolment, the Staten Island campus closed in May 2024.

The campus had Tudor-style buildings, including a well-equipped student centre

St. John's University is a private Catholic university in Queens, New York City, with additional campuses in Staten Island, Manhattan, Rome, Paris, and Limerick. The Staten Island campus, which was acquired in 1971, combines compact charm with superb resources. The 16.5-acre campus features lawns, apartment-style residences, and architectural styles ranging from red-brick colonial to modern.

The Tudor-style buildings on the Staten Island campus include a well-equipped student centre, several classroom halls, a modern library, an administration hall, and food and lounge accommodations for students and faculty. The student centre is a notable feature, as it was not available to students at the Brooklyn Centre, which was closed after the consolidation with the Staten Island campus. The student centre provides a dedicated space for students to gather, study, and access various amenities and resources.

The first building constructed by St. John's University on the Staten Island campus was the Loretto Memorial Library, which opened on December 15, 1972, and was formally dedicated on October 29, 1973. It is named after Mrs. Loretto McCarthy, whose husband, Charles McCarthy, was the Treasurer of the University at the time and donated funds for the building. The library is a vital resource for students, offering access to books, journals, and other academic materials.

In addition to the student centre and the library, the Staten Island campus also features the Kelleher Center, which opened in 1998, and the DaSilva Academic Center, which was dedicated in 2004. These buildings provide additional educational and recreational spaces for the students. The campus is easily accessible by major highways and offers a pastoral setting for students to pursue their studies.

The first campus building was Flynn Hall, formerly the John Gans Family Estate

St. John's University is a private Catholic university in Queens, New York City, founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission (C.M., the Vincentian Fathers). The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,699 students (as of fall 2023) and offers more than 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The Staten Island campus of St. John's University was formerly known as Notre Dame College, a small Catholic women's college. It was established in the early 20th century by immigrant John Gans, who chose the Grymes Hill location for his family estate as it overlooked New York Harbor, where he operated a steamship company. The main house of the estate, a 30-room Georgian mansion, was completed in 1915 and became the home of John Gans' son, Herbert Gans, and his family.

The John Gans Family Estate, located on Grymes Hill, was purchased for Notre Dame College of Staten Island in 1934. The Gans family's home was renamed Flynn Hall after Sister Helen Flynn, the founder of the college, and it became the first campus building. Flynn Hall has a rich history, dating back to the early days of the college. It was originally known as the John Gans Family Estate, reflecting the family who owned the land. The estate was chosen for its prime location on Grymes Hill, offering a stunning view of New York Harbor. The main house, a Georgian mansion with 30 rooms, was completed in 1915 and served as the residence for Herbert Gans, John Gans' son.

In 1934, the estate was sold to Notre Dame College, a Catholic undergraduate college for women. The building was renamed Flynn Hall to honour Sister Helen Flynn, the founder of the college. Flynn Hall played a significant role in the college's early years, serving as the first campus building and accommodating the growing student population. It set the foundation for the development of the campus and shaped the educational experience for generations of students.

Flynn Hall holds a significant place in the history of the college. It not only served as the first campus building but also embodied the values and mission of the institution. The building's architecture and design reflected the college's commitment to providing a premier education for women. The spacious mansion, with its many rooms, provided a conducive environment for learning and helped shape the overall campus experience.

The establishment of Flynn Hall as the first campus building marked a pivotal moment in the history of the college. It signified the college's growth and evolution from a small charter to a thriving academic institution. The building's presence on Grymes Hill, overlooking New York Harbour, created a sense of prestige and prominence for the college. It attracted students and faculty, solidifying the college's presence in the community.

The Staten Island campus was located in the residential Grymes Hill section of Staten Island

St. John's University is a private Catholic university in New York City, founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentian Fathers). The university's Staten Island campus was located in the residential Grymes Hill section of Staten Island. The Staten Island campus was originally Notre Dame College and became part of St. John's University in 1971. The campus closed in May 2024 due to declining enrollment.

The Staten Island campus had a rich history, dating back to the purchase of the John Gans Family Estate on Grymes Hill in 1934 for Notre Dame College of Staten Island. The first campus building was the family home, renamed Flynn Hall after the founder of the college, Sister Helen Flynn. Over the years, the campus expanded with the addition of several academic and residential buildings, including Lavelle Hall, dedicated in 1938, and the Cardinal Spellman Library, dedicated in 1956. The campus also featured Tudor-style buildings, a well-equipped student centre, classroom halls, and a modern library.

The Staten Island campus of St. John's University was a beloved part of the university community, with many alumni expressing fond memories and strong connections to the campus. The campus offered a unique and intimate learning environment, combining compact charm with superb resources. It served over 2,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 16.5 acres. The campus featured lawns, apartment-style student residences, and architectural styles ranging from red-brick colonial to modern.

The closure of the Staten Island campus marked the end of an era, but the university established the Staten Island Heritage Endowment Fund, an endowed scholarship to provide financial assistance to Staten Island residents studying at the university's Queens campus. The Staten Island campus of St. John's University left a lasting legacy and fond memories for its alumni and the university community.

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