Ithaca College facts for kids
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Former name
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Ithaca Conservatory of Music (1892–1931) |
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| Motto | Commitment to Excellence |
| Type | Private college |
| Established | September 19, 1892 |
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Academic affiliations
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NAICU CIC |
| Endowment | $356.8 million (2022) |
| President | La Jerne Terry Cornish |
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Academic staff
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721 |
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Administrative staff
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987 |
| Students | 6,266 (Fall 2019) |
| Undergraduates | 5,852 (Fall 2019) |
| Postgraduates | 414 (Fall 2019) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
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| Campus | Small city, 757 acres (306 ha) |
| Colors | Blue, gold, gray |
| Nickname | Bombers |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division III – Liberty League, USCSSA |
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Ithaca College is a private college located in Ithaca, New York. It was started in 1892 by William Egbert as a music school. Today, it is well-known for its media and entertainment programs. These are found in the Roy H. Park School of Communications and the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The college also focuses on liberal arts and offers many other study programs.
Contents
College History
How Ithaca College Began
Ithaca College started as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892. A local violin teacher, William Grant Egbert, rented four rooms. He began teaching eight students there. For almost 70 years, the school grew in Ithaca. It added studies like dance, physical education, and business. In 1931, the conservatory became a private college. It was then named Ithaca College. The first building, Boardman House, later became an art museum.
Ithaca College Today
By 1960, the college had about 2,000 students. A new campus was built on South Hill in the 1960s. Students moved between the old and new places during construction. The campus kept growing over the next 30 years. It grew to hold more than 6,000 students.
As the campus got bigger, the college added more courses. By the 1990s, students could choose from over 100 study programs. These were offered in the college's five schools. Students from almost every U.S. state and 78 other countries attend the college. In 2020, the college made some changes to its budget. This was because fewer students were enrolling.
Campus Life and Locations
Ithaca College's main campus was built in the 1960s. It is located on South Hill. All academic departments moved to this new campus by 1968.
Ithaca College Satellite Campuses
Ithaca College also has campuses in other cities. The Ithaca College London Center has been open since 1972. There is also the Ithaca College Los Angeles Program. It is located at the James B. Pendleton Center.
The college also has exchange programs with many universities. These are in countries like Australia, China, Japan, and Spain. Students can also join study abroad programs through other organizations.
Academic Programs
The college offers more than 100 different degree programs. These are spread across its five main schools:
- School of Business
- Roy H. Park School of Communications
- School of Health Sciences & Human Performance
- School of Humanities & Sciences
- School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
In 2017, some of the most popular majors included visual and performing arts. Health professions, business, and biological sciences were also very popular.
Student Life and Activities
Media and Publications
Ithaca College has many student-run media groups:
- The Ithacan is the college's weekly newspaper. Students write, edit, and publish it. It has won over 200 journalism awards. It is known as one of the best student newspapers in the country.
- Ithaca College Television (ICTV) is the oldest student-run college TV channel in the world. It has been broadcasting since 1958. Its news program, Newswatch, has won many awards.
- WICB is a student-run FM radio station. It broadcasts at 91.7 FM. It plays modern rock and special shows. Ithaca Times readers voted WICB "Best Radio Station."
- VIC Radio is another student-run radio station. It is now online-only. It is famous for its 50 Hour Marathon. During this event, DJs broadcast for 50 hours to raise money.
- Buzzsaw Magazine is a monthly magazine. Students write and produce it. It focuses on creative journalism and commentary. It has won national awards.
- Park Productions is a professional production group. Students work with teachers and industry experts. They create media projects like documentaries and films.
- Distinct Magazine is the college's fashion magazine. It focuses on student style and culture. It aims to break stereotypes in fashion.
- Embrace is a magazine that gives a voice to underrepresented students. It covers topics like LGBTQ+, fashion, and personal stories.
Music Programs
Ithaca College is famous for its music school. It offers many ways to perform music. Students can join official school groups or student-run clubs.
The School of Music has many audition-based groups. These include symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, and several choirs. There are also many jazz groups. Students can also perform in opera works. The school also has groups open to all students, even if they are not music majors.
Outside the music school, there are student-run a cappella groups:
- IC Voicestream (all-gender)
- Ithacappella (all-male)
- Premium Blend (all-female)
- Tone Cold (all-gender)
- Pitch Please (non-auditioned, all-gender)
- NUVO (New Voices), a BIPOC inclusive a cappella group.
College Athletics
- Further information: Ithaca Bombers
Ithaca College competes in sports at the NCAA Division III level. They are part of the Liberty League. Ithaca has a very strong sports program. The Bombers have won 14 national titles in different team and individual sports.
Intramural Sports
Ithaca College also has a big intramural sports program. About 25% of undergraduate students play intramural sports each year. They offer 14 team activities. These include basketball, flag football, kickball, soccer, softball, ultimate, ski racing, and volleyball.
Most activities have divisions for men's, women's, and co-recreational teams. Students can often play on both a single-sex team and a co-recreational team.
Notable Alumni
Ithaca College has over 70,000 former students. Many of them are part of alumni clubs in cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
Notable Faculty
Many important people have taught at Ithaca College. Here are a few:
- Asma Barlas: A politics expert who studies women, gender, and Islam.
- Rick Beato: A music teacher and producer.
- Jeff Cohen: A journalism professor and media critic. He founded the media watchdog group Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR).
- Robert Allen Iger: An American business executive who is the CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
- Rod Serling: A communications professor. He created and hosted The Twilight Zone TV show.
- Gordon Stout: A music professor who is a percussionist and composer. He specializes in the marimba.
