St. Joseph's In Patchogue Has A New Name: University

PATCHOGUE, NY — The New York State Board of Regents has approved St. Joseph’s College's petition to be elevated to university status, President Donald R. Boomgaarden announced in a news release on Thursday.

The educational institution's name has been changed to St. Joseph’s University moving forward.

Boomgaarden called it a proud day for every member of the St. Joseph’s community.

“Since our founding in 1916 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, our mission has been to provide a strong academic and value-oriented education that supports provision for career preparation and enhancement for a diverse population of students that is now close to 5,000," he said.

"These very same qualities are what will carry us forward under our new banner as a university serving three unique campuses: Long Island, Brooklyn, and online.”

St. Joseph’s has "consistently evolved to meet the needs and aspirations of its students and surrounding communities," starting with 12 female students in 1916 up to the present with 1,500 students graduating annually, officials said. The university offers degrees in over 60 majors, as well as special course offerings and certificates, as well as affiliated and pre-professional programs.

It also offers one of the lowest tuition rates among private institutions on Long Island, and "provides higher education opportunities to those who might otherwise not be able to obtain them," officials said.

Chairman of the Board Christopher Carroll, a 1988 graduate, said that since its founding, St. Joseph's has "always strived to be a center of learning and transformation."

"We started from humble beginnings, but the success of its more than 44,000 alumni, of which I am very proud to be counted among, speaks for itself,” he said. “The change of the college’s designation to university status by the New York State Board of Regents marks both a recognition of who we already are, as well as the start of our next chapter as St. Joseph's University, New York.”

Shantey Hill-Hanna, vice president for student life, is excited for what the "ascent to university status" will mean for students.”

“This acknowledgement signifies to all our campus groups the remarkable resilience, continued progress and excellence the college has made even in the face of a pandemic," Hill-Hanna said. "A university distinction will certainly increase the appeal of our student degrees to potential employers and open up new opportunities both professionally and personally long after they leave St. Joseph’s.”

James Blakeley, professor and chair of the history department and chair of the Faculty Interest Council at St. Joseph’s, said the change "reflects the growth and the diversity of majors and programs" offered.

"It is meaningful for faculty as it will improve our competitiveness when applying for state and federal funding and outside grants for research and teaching,” he said. “The university designation not only better represents the top caliber of our current faculty, but it will ensure that we continue to be competitive in recruiting new faculty and staff who are vital to the success of the academic programs we offer and ultimately the success of our students.”

S. Elizabeth A. Hill, a 1964 graduate and former president of the college, said it has "always been open to growth and change — adapting to the times and challenges of the times — and I see this as part of that evolutionary process that has been happening since 1916."

“The designation of university connotes a deeper level of academic depth, excellence, challenge and a desire to reach for even greater excellence," she said. "This desire to be more, to find new ways to serve others has guided the missions of both the sisters and this university for generations; under Dr. Boomgaarden’s leadership, St. Joseph’s will continue to grow and reach new heights that benefit the students, faculty, alumni and our entire community.”