Dreaming of Broadway? Marymount Manhattan College might just be your launchpad. Founded in 1936 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount Manhattan started as a two-year women’s college. It was an extension of Marymount College in Tarrytown New York.
In 1948, Marymount Manhattan College moved to its current spot on East 71st Street. It became a four-year bachelor’s degree granting college. The first class graduated from Marymount Manhattan in 1950. By 1961, Marymount Manhattan gained independence as a four-year college.
Marymount Manhattan College became open to all faiths. However the Catholic Church still listed it in their directory until 2005. The Cardinal Newman Society protested the college inviting Hillary Clinton for a commencement address due to her stance on abortion rights. The college was then removed from The Official Catholic Directory.
In 1976, Finch College closed. This women’s college known as a finishing school passed its records to Marymount Manhattan. Tricia Nixon Cox daughter of President Richard Nixon was one of their alumni.
Regina Peruggi became Marymount Manhattan’s first lay president in 1990. In 2001, the college opened a 32-story residence hall. In 2015, they opened a second residence hall in Cooper Square.
Today Marymount Manhattan College offers 30 majors and over 40 minors. They have pre-professional programs. Marymount Manhattan is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The college also runs a degree program for incarcerated women.
Marymount Manhattan College has trained many Broadway and Tony Award-nominated actors. Annaleigh Ashford and Andrew Rannells are Marymount Manhattan alumni. Melissa Benoist and Alexandra Daddario also attended Marymount Manhattan College. Princess Marie of Denmark studied at Marymount Manhattan.
Diversity is important at Marymount Manhattan College. Inclusion and social justice are key values. The college welcomes students from all backgrounds.
Marymount Manhattan College offers programs like CityEdge. This provides stipends for students with unpaid internships. Freshmen take a New York City Seminar to learn about the city. Marymount Manhattan closes 71st Street for a fall student fair. Students are called Griffins but the college has no intercollegiate sports.
The Theresa Lang Theatre is a serious performance space. Other student spaces are functional and modern. Corridors can get crowded between classes. The college has reduced general education credits from 45 to 30. This allows BFA students to pursue a double major.
Marymount Manhattan College sells New York as aggressively as it sells itself. It helps students take advantage of the city. However costs can be high. Students should budget for subway fares and city expenses.
Marymount Manhattan is merging with Northeastern University. It will be called Northeastern University-New York City. The merger requires regulatory approval. Marymount Manhattan College has a rich history. It continues to evolve to meet student needs.