History of Hofstra University in Timeline

Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, New York, is a private research university established in 1935, initially as an extension of NYU. It gained independence in 1939 and now comprises ten schools, including notable programs like the Zucker School of Medicine and the Maurice A. Deane School of Law. Hofstra is known for hosting significant presidential conferences and several United States presidential debates, solidifying its role in political discourse and historical events.

1932: Death of William S. Hofstra

In 1932, William S. Hofstra, the namesake of Hofstra University, passed away.

1933: Death of Kate Mason

In 1933, Kate Mason, the wife of William S. Hofstra, passed away.

1934: Estate Offered to Georgia Warm Springs Foundation

In the spring of 1934, Kate Mason's estate was offered to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation to be converted into a sanitarium for those suffering with polio, specifically offering to President Franklin Roosevelt, but nothing had materialized from it.

September 23, 1935: First Day of Classes

On September 23, 1935, the first day of classes was held at Nassau-Hofstra Memorial College with 150 students enrolled and an equal divide between men and women. The tuition fee for the year was $375.

1935: Flying Dutchmen Nickname Established

From 1935 until 2001, Hofstra University teams were nicknamed the Flying Dutchmen.

1935: Hofstra University Originated

In 1935, Hofstra University originated as an extension of New York University in Hempstead, New York.

1935: The Hofstra Chronicle Established

In 1935, The Hofstra Chronicle, the only student newspaper at Hofstra University, was established.

1935: College Founded

In 1935, the college was founded on the estate of William S. Hofstra and Kate Mason as an extension of New York University, named Nassau College – Hofstra Memorial of New York University.

January 16, 1937: Name Changed to Hofstra College

On January 16, 1937, the college obtained provisional charter status, and its official name was changed to Hofstra College.

1937: Original Logo Created

In 1937, Hofstra's original logo, a seal created by professor Constant van de Wall, was introduced. It was derived from the seal of the House of Orange-Nassau and included the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai.

July 1, 1939: Separation from New York University

On July 1, 1939, Hofstra College separated from New York University.

1939: Hofstra Became an Independent College

In 1939, Hofstra became an independent college, separating from New York University.

1939: Dutch Flag Influenced School Colors

In 1939, the Dutch ambassador to the United States left behind a flag of the Netherlands, which influenced Hofstra's school colors, university seal and coat of arms.

February 16, 1940: Absolute Charter Granted

On February 16, 1940, Hofstra College was granted an absolute charter.

1950: First Shakespeare Festival

In 1950, Calkins Gymnasium hosted the first Shakespeare Festival, performed on a five-sixths-sized replica of the Globe Theatre.

1950: Radio Station Founded as WHCH

In 1950, Long Island's oldest public radio station was founded as WHCH, a campus-limited station.

June 9, 1959: Broadcast License Received

On June 9, 1959, WHCH received its broadcast license, using the call letters WVHC.

1968: Aeolian Pipe Organ Donated

In 1968, a three-bank Aeolian pipe organ was donated to Hofstra by John T. Ricks and Jane Ricks King in the name of their late parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ricks. The organ was scheduled to be installed in the Hofstra Playhouse the following fall.

1971: First NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship Game

In 1971, Hofstra Stadium served as the site of the first-ever NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship game.

1976: Nick Gallo Joins Olympic Team

In 1976 Hofstra wrestler Nick Gallo was a member of the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling team.

1977: Nick Gallo Wins NCAA National Championship

In 1977 Hofstra wrestler Nick Gallo won the 126 lb weight class at the NCAA National Championship and was also given the title "Most Outstanding Wrestler" in the 1977 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

1980: Nick Gallo Joins Olympic Team

In 1980 Hofstra wrestler Nick Gallo was a member of the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling team.

1983: Call Letters Changed to WRHU

In 1983, the radio station became WRHU (for Radio Hofstra University).

1985: Hofstra University Tulip Presented

In 1985, the commissioner to the Queen of the Netherlands presented Hofstra University with the Hofstra University Tulip, a flower hybrid named after the school.

1987: Hofstra Pride Image Campaign Began

In 1987, the Hofstra Pride on- and off-campus image campaign began, during the university's dramatic recovery and growth.

2001: The Pride Nickname Adopted

In 2001, the school's official team name became "The Pride", referring to a pair of lions which became the school's athletic mascots in the late 1980s.

2001: Athletic Teams Known as Flying Dutchmen Until This Year

Until 2001, Hofstra's athletic teams were known as the Flying Dutchmen.

2008: Jets Training Camp Moved

Prior to 2008, the New York Jets held summer training camp at Hofstra's on-campus headquarters.

September 2009: Presidential Fellows Appointed

In September 2009, Stuart Rabinowitz announced the appointment of Edward J. Rollins and Howard Dean as senior presidential fellows at the university's Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency.

December 3, 2009: Football Program Terminated

On December 3, 2009, Hofstra University announced it was terminating the football program. Funds previously used for the football program went into the creation of the medical school.

2010: WRHU Broadcasts NHL Games

Since 2010, WRHU has served as the radio home of the Long Island Nets and New York Islanders, producing over 675 NHL broadcasts.

February 2011: Charles Jenkins Leading Scorer

In February 2011, Charles Jenkins, the school's all-time leading scorer, ranked fifth in the nation at 23.3 points per game last season.

February 26, 2011: Charles Jenkins' Jersey Number Retired

On February 26, 2011, Hofstra University retired the basketball jersey number 22 to honor senior Charles Jenkins, the school's all-time leading scorer, before the end of the season. It was Hofstra Senior Day.

October 2011: Hofstra Chosen for 2012 Presidential Debate

In October 2011, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that it had chosen Hofstra for its second 2012 presidential debate.

2011: Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine Welcomes First Class

In the fall of 2011, the university welcomed the first class of students to its new Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.

October 16, 2012: Hofstra Hosted 2012 Presidential Debate

On October 16, 2012, Hofstra University hosted the second 2012 presidential debate, a "town hall" debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

2012: Establishment of New Schools

In 2012, Hofstra established its school of engineering and applied science, and its school of health sciences and human services.

2015: Medical School Building Completed

In 2015, the medical school building was completed on the area previously used by the New York Jets for summer training camp.

September 26, 2016: Hofstra Hosted 2016 Presidential Debate

On September 26, 2016, Hofstra University hosted the first 2016 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

August 2017: Medical School Renamed

In August 2017, the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine was renamed the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell after a $61 million donation.

2020: Hofstra Ranked by U.S. News & World Report

In 2020, Hofstra was ranked tied for 160th among national universities and named the 92nd 'best value school' by U.S. News & World Report.

2023: Admissions Statistics for Entering Cohort

In 2023, for the entering cohort, Hofstra maintained a test-optional policy, with 35% submitting test scores averaging 1230–1410 for the SAT and 27–33 for the ACT. The university admitted 62% of applicants with enrolled students having an average 3.7 GPA.