Lehman College facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids
Lehman College

Other name	Herbert H. Lehman College
Former name	Bronx Branch of Hunter College (1931–1968)
Type	Public college
Established	1931
Parent institution	City University of New York
Endowment	$7.7 Million
President	Fernando Delgado
Undergraduates	12,639
Postgraduates	2,148
Location	New York City , New York , United States 40°52′21″N 73°53′38″W / 40.87250°N 73.89389°W / 40.87250; -73.89389
Campus	Urban, 37 acres (15 ha)
Colors	Royal blue, vegas gold, and white
Nickname	Lightning
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division III, City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC)
Mascot	Lightning Bug

Lehman College is a public college located in New York City. It started in 1931 as the Bronx campus of Hunter College. In 1967, it became its own independent college.

The college is named after Herbert H. Lehman. He was a former governor and senator for New York. Lehman College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. It offers many different study programs for students. There are over 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

History of Lehman College

First flag raising for the U.S. Naval Training Center, Women's Reserve, Bronx, in 1943.

The Bronx Branch of Hunter College first opened in 1931. For many years, only women students attended. They would study for two years in the Bronx. Then they moved to Hunter's Manhattan campus. There they finished their college degrees.

Lehman College during World War II

During World War II, the campus was very important. The United States Navy used the buildings. They trained 95,000 women volunteers for military service. These women were known as WAVES and SPARS. The campus was a main training spot for women in the military.

Lehman College and the United Nations

After the Navy left, the campus had another special visitor. The new United Nations used the site for six months in 1946. They held their first Security Council meetings there. These meetings took place in the Gymnasium Building. This is where sports like basketball are usually played.

In 1986, the college received a special plaque. This was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations. The college also took part in the UN's 50th anniversary in 1995–96.

Becoming an Independent College

Lehman College officially became independent in 1968. It was no longer part of Hunter College. The new school was named after Herbert H. Lehman. He was a very important governor of New York. Leonard Lief was the first president of the college.

Later, other presidents led the college. These included Ricardo R. Fernández and José Luis Cruz. In 2021, Dr. Fernando Delgado became the fourth president.

Lehman College and the Coronavirus Pandemic

In March 2020, classes moved online. This was because of the coronavirus outbreak. By October 2020, almost all classes were online. In May 2022, the college held its first in-person graduation. This was after two years of online ceremonies.

Lehman College Campus

Lehman College Plaza and Music Building.

Lehman College has a large campus. It is about 37 acres (15 hectares) in size. The campus has a mix of old and new buildings. Some buildings look like old castles, called Collegiate Gothic. Others are very modern. The campus is located near the Jerome Park Reservoir.

Campus Buildings and Features

Carman Hall has a special multimedia center. It includes a recording studio and editing rooms. The BronxNet public TV channel is also located here. They produce many local shows.

In 2012, a new Science Hall opened. This building has modern classrooms and labs. It even has a greenhouse on the roof for teaching and research. In 2013, it received a top "green building" award. This means it is very energy efficient.

Old Gymnasium building.

The Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts is a large theater. It can seat over 2,300 people. The campus also has the Lehman College Art Gallery.

The Apex is the college's athletic center. It opened in 1994. Its modern design is very different from the older buildings. In 2024, a new building for Nursing students opened. It is four stories tall.

The college is easy to reach by subway. The New York City Subway has a station nearby. It is called Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College.

Students at Lehman College

Students at Lehman College come from many different backgrounds. They are from various ethnic groups and speak many languages. There are also many international students.

Here are the student numbers from Fall 2018:

Undergraduates: 12,639 students
Graduate Students: 2,148 students
Total: 14,787 students

Academics and Programs

Lehman College has six main schools. These schools offer many undergraduate and graduate programs. They include Arts & Humanities, Education, Natural and Social Sciences, Business, Health Sciences, and Continuing Education.

Macaulay Honors College at Lehman

The Macaulay Honors College is for very bright students. It offers a full tuition scholarship. Students also get an Apple laptop computer. They receive $7,500 for things like studying abroad. Students must keep good grades. They also take special classes about New York City.

Lehman Scholars Program

This program is for motivated students. It allows them to study more independently. Students in this program take special courses and seminars. They also get individual guidance.

College Now Program

The College Now program lets high school students take college classes. These classes are held at the Lehman campus. They are offered during the spring, summer, and fall.

Freshman Year Initiative

This program helps new students adjust to college. Students take classes together in "blocks." This helps them get to know each other. They also take math, writing, and a Freshman Seminar. This prepares them for college life.

Research at Lehman College

The Jaime Lucero Mexican Studies Institute

This institute focuses on Mexico and Mexicans in the U.S. It brings together professors, students, and community groups. They do research and support Mexican students. The institute also hosts events and offers internships.

The Institute for Irish-American Studies

This institute supports research on Irish and Irish American history. It also covers culture and society. They offer public events and online courses.

Athletics at Lehman College

Lehman College has many sports teams. They are called the Lightning Bugs. They compete in NCAA Division III. They are also part of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC).

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, and soccer. Women's sports include basketball, soccer, and softball. They also have swimming, track & field, tennis, volleyball, and cheerleading.

In 2012–13, the Lightning Bugs won championships. They won in men's swimming and women's outdoor track. Two athletes from women's outdoor track became All-Americans.

Sports Conference

Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)

Notable Faculty

Lehman College has nearly 400 full-time professors. Here are a few well-known ones:

Billy Collins, a former professor of English. He was a United States Poet Laureate.
Michael Bacon, a music professor. He is an Emmy Award winning composer. He also performs in the band the Bacon Brothers.
Melvyn B. Nathanson, a professor of Mathematics.
Victor Pan, a distinguished professor of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Ruth Westheimer (known as "Dr. Ruth"), a famous talk show host and author. She was a professor at Lehman.

Notable Alumni

Many successful people have graduated from Lehman College. Here are some of them:

Letitia James, who is the Attorney General of New York.
Ron Perlman, a famous actor. He is known for playing Hellboy.
Ivan Seidenberg, the former chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications.
Christopher "Kid" Reid, an actor and former rapper. He was part of the hip hop duo Kid 'n Play.
Elizabeth Rodriguez, an actress from the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.
André Aciman, a writer and professor. He wrote Call Me by Your Name.
Rubén Díaz Jr., a former Borough President of the Bronx.
Murray Sabrin, a professor and political candidate.
David L. Spector, a cell and molecular biologist.
Karen Yu, a professional wrestler.