Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946 and named after the Jesuit missionary Simon Le Moyne, the college has graduated more than 35,000 students as of 2021.[5] At its founding, Le Moyne was the first Jesuit co-educational college in the United States.[6]
Walter A. Foery, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Syracuse, helped bring about the formation of Le Moyne College. Foery proposed to provide for the city of Syracuse "a truly American school with religion and morality as the foundation stones". The college's first home was a storefront on East Onondaga Street in Syracuse. Later, it moved to the Hiscock Mansion on James Street. The college moved to its current (as of 2021) campus in 1948.[5]
In 2014, Linda LeMura, formerly the college's provost and academic vice president,[7] was appointed as the 14th president of Le Moyne College.[5] LeMura is the first laywoman in history to serve as president of a Jesuit college or university.[7]
As of 2020, the college enrolled more than 3,700 students. As of 2021, the college offers more than 30 majors, an evening program, a variety of graduate courses, and a doctoral program in executive leadership.[5]
Campus
Le Moyne College's 160-acre (0.65 km2) campus is mostly located in the suburban town of DeWitt, although a small portion of the campus is within the city of Syracuse.[4] As of 2021, there are 35 buildings on the campus.[5]
Traditions
Welcoming traditions
Le Moyne College begins every academic year with two rituals: (1) 'Moving In Weekend,' when current students help to carry the boxes and suitcases of the new, first-year students into the dormitories; and (2) the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which continues a tradition dating back to the first Jesuit school, established in Messina, Sicily, in 1548 (probably preceding this date). The meaning of this Mass is based in Catholic theology; the campus community commits to seeking knowledge as a community of scholars.
Dolphy Day
Another annual tradition at Le Moyne College is "Dolphy Day", which originated in 1971. Dolphy Day is named for Eric Dolphy and has been said to have been inspired by Frank Zappa's song, "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue." Although Le Moyne's mascot is a dolphin, campus officials say there is no direct relation between the name of this event and this college icon. Each year, a "Wizard" is chosen (by the preceding Wizard).[8]
Green initiatives
Environmental sustainability is integrated into Le Moyne College facilities planning and operating processes.[9]
In June 2010, the college began construction on a new, 48,000-square-foot (4,500 m2) science facility. The science complex provides teaching and research space for use by faculty and students in the science and health professions. Its environmentally-sound design features include day lighting, solar preheating, and thermal storage, resulting in the award of LEED-Gold certification.[10]
The Le Moyne Dolphins are the athletic teams for the college. As of July 1, 2023, Le Moyne competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC).[11] Previously, Le Moyne competed in the NCAA at the Division II level through the 2022–23 school year with 21 varsity teams, offering participation opportunities for over 340 students. Since 2003, Le Moyne men's lacrosse has won five NCAA Division II national championships.[12] Previously, Le Moyne competed in the Northeast-10 Conference in all sports,[13] but started a transition to Division I on July 1, 2023, as a new member of the NEC.[11] All Le Moyne teams compete in the NEC except for men's lacrosse, in which the Dolphins are independent, since the NEC no longer sponsors the sport.
Notable alumni
Bob Antonacci, former NYS Senate Member, NYS Supreme Court Judge
Kris M. Balderston, Public affairs consultant; former managing director of the Global Partnership Initiative and Deputy Special Representative for Global Partnerships in the Office of the US Secretary of State; former Deputy Chief of Staff, US Senator Hillary Clinton[14]
Michael Charles Green, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services; former Monroe County, NY District Attorney & Federal Judge Nominee
John Beilein, former head men's basketball coach at Le Moyne from 1983 to 1992 and former head men's basketball coach at the University of Michigan, 2007–2019
Daniel Berrigan (1921–2016), former professor of New Testament studies and founder of the International House at Le Moyne, social activist, author, poet
George Coyne (1933–2020), inaugural McDevitt Chair of Religious Philosophy at Le Moyne and former head of the Vatican Observatory
John M. Corridan (1911–1984), former economics professor at Le Moyne and the inspiration for the character of Father Barry in the classic film On the Waterfront
Frank Haig, former president of Le Moyne from 1981 to 1987 and younger brother of former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig
John J. McNeill (1925–2015), former professor at Le Moyne, noted peace activist during the Vietnam War and an advocate for LGBT rights
J. Donald Monan (1924–2017), administrator and faculty member at Le Moyne from 1961 through 1972, later served as president of Boston College from 1972 to 1996
Dave Paulsen, former head men's basketball coach at Le Moyne from 1997 to 2000 and current head men's basketball coach at the College of the Holy Cross
Harold Ridley (1939–2005), former professor, English Department chair, and chief academic officer at Le Moyne and former president of Loyola College in Maryland
Margaret C. Snyder, first dean of women at Le Moyne and a noted social scientist with a special interest in women and economic development, particularly in Africa.
