Wow. Lehman College stands before you a testament to history and education. Founded in 1931 as Hunter College’s Bronx campus it’s a story woven with threads of war and international diplomacy.
Lehman College didn’t always exist as its own entity. It began as an extension of Hunter College. For a decade before America entered World War II only women studied there. They started their college journey in the Bronx. They later transferred to Hunter’s Manhattan campus to complete their degrees. The Bronx campus played a crucial role during the war. The US Navy used the buildings to train almost 95000 women. These women were volunteers. They served as WAVES and SPARS in the military.
The impact of Lehman College extended beyond wartime training. The newly formed United Nations needed a temporary home. They found it at Lehman College. From March to August 1946 the first American meetings of the UN Security Council took place. The location was the Gymnasium Building. This building also hosted intercollegiate sports like basketball and archery. In 1986 the college received a commemorative plaque. This celebrated the 40th anniversary of the United Nations. The plaque remains outside the Gymnasium Building.
Imagine the echoes of history within these walls. The sounds of women training for the war. The voices of diplomats shaping the post-war world.
Lehman College’s evolution continued. In 1967 it became an independent college within CUNY. Its name honors Herbert H Lehman a former governor senator and philanthropist. It evolved into a thriving public liberal arts college. Today it offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The architectural style itself is a story. Its design blends Collegiate Gothic and modern architecture. The architects were Kerr Rainsford John A Thompson and Gerald A Holmes. This team had previously designed the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on New York’s Upper East Side.
Lehman College isn’t just about the past. It boasts a state-of-the-art multimedia center in Carman Hall. This includes a recording studio and video production facilities. BronxNet a public access channel is also based there. They produce shows like Bronx Talk and Open. The college also has a stunning Center for the Performing Arts. This professional theater has 2310 seats.
A striking addition to the campus is the Apex. This post-modern athletic and fitness facility opened in 1994. It’s a design by the renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. The Apex contrasts beautifully with the original Gothic buildings. A new Nursing building opened in 2024. This state-of-the-art facility further enhances Lehman’s commitment to education and research.
Lehman College is more than just buildings and history. It’s a vibrant community. Its students come from diverse backgrounds. They represent various ethnicities racial identities and social classes. Lehman College a place where history education and community converge. It’s a place of learning and progress.