History of Hofstra University in Timeline

Hofstra University is a private university located in Hempstead, New York. Founded in 1935 as an extension of NYU, it gained independence in 1939. It comprises ten schools, including a medical school and a law school. Hofstra is notable for hosting presidential conferences and U.S. presidential debates.

1932: Death of William S. Hofstra

William S. Hofstra, the namesake of Hofstra University, passed away in 1932. His estate would later become the site of the university.

1933: Death of Kate Mason

Kate Mason, the second wife of William S. Hofstra, passed away in 1933. Her will provided the bulk of their property to be used for a charitable purpose named in honor of her husband.

1934: Estate offered to Georgia Warm Springs Foundation

In the spring of 1934, the Hofstra estate was offered to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation to be converted into a sanitarium for those suffering with polio, but the offer did not materialize.

September 23, 1935: First day of classes at Nassau-Hofstra Memorial College

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

1935: Flying Dutchmen team name start

From 1935 Hofstra University teams were nicknamed the Flying Dutchmen.

1935: Origination as an extension of New York University

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

1935: College foundation on William S. Hofstra's estate

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

1935: Establishment of The Hofstra Chronicle

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

January 16, 1937: Name change to Hofstra College

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

1937: Creation of Hofstra's original logo

In 1937, Hofstra's original logo, a seal, was created by art professor Constant van de Wall. The insignia was derived from the House of Orange-Nassau.

July 1, 1939: Separation from New York University

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

1939: Becoming an independent college

In 1939, Hofstra University transitioned from being an extension of NYU to becoming an independent college.

1939: Dutch flag influence on Hofstra

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

February 16, 1940: Granting of absolute charter

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

1950: Founding of WHCH radio station

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

1950: First Shakespeare Festival

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

June 9, 1959: Broadcast license received

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

1968: Donation of Aeolian pipe organ

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 originally located in the former Ricks estate.

1971: Hofstra Stadium hosts first NCAA Lacrosse Championship

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

1976: Nick Gallo U.S. Olympic team member

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 U.S. Olympic team member

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's call letters were changed to WRHU (for Radio Hofstra University).

1985: Presentation of Hofstra University Tulip

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: "The Pride" image campaign begins

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

2001: Official team name change to "The Pride"

In 2001, Hofstra'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 2001

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

2008: New York Jets end summer training camp at Hofstra

Prior to 2008, the New York Jets held summer training camp at Hofstra, before moving to Florham Park, New Jersey.

September 2009: Appointment of senior presidential fellows

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

December 3, 2009: Termination of the football program

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: Start of NHL broadcasts

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

February 2011: Charles Jenkins ranked among top scorers

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

February 26, 2011: Retirement of Charles Jenkins' basketball jersey

On February 26, 2011, Hofstra University retired the basketball jersey number 22 to honor senior Charles Jenkins. This was the first time a Hofstra athlete had their number retired while they were still actively playing.

October 2011: Selection as host for 2012 presidential debate

In October 2011, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced it had chosen Hofstra for its second 2012 presidential debate on October 16, 2012.

2011: Welcoming the first class of students to the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine

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

October 16, 2012: Hofstra hosts 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 the school of engineering and applied science

In 2012, Hofstra established its school of engineering and applied science, featuring programs that partner with regional industry leaders, and its school of health sciences and human services.

2015: Completion of medical school building

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

September 26, 2016: Hofstra hosts 2016 presidential debate

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

August 2017: Renaming of the School of Medicine

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

2020: Rankings by U.S. News & World Report

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

2023: Admissions statistics for the entering cohort

In 2023, Hofstra maintained a test-optional policy with 35% of enrollees submitting test scores. The average SAT scores were 1230-1410 and ACT scores were 27-33. Hofstra admitted 62% of applicants with an average GPA of 3.7.