History...Our Proud Past

A Brief History
Medaille College is a dynamic private, four-year college committed to serving the higher education needs of Western and Central New York, and Southern Ontario. The College is located within the historic Olmsted Crescent in the heart of Buffalo, New York, with branch campuses in Amherst and Rochester. The Institution is known for its flexible delivery systems, offering master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees through both day and evening programs.

Medaille College traces its roots to 1875, when it was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph as an Institute to prepare teachers. In 1937, the Institute received an absolute charter from New York State and was named Mount St. Joseph Teachers College and was chartered to grant baccalaureate degrees in Education. In 1968, the Sisters of St. Joseph, led by Alice Huber, SSJ, Ph.D., initiated a change in the charter, which would create a new college, accessible to all men and women. The State granted this charter and Medaille College was born.

In the 1970s, Medaille experienced rapid expansion. Since that time, student enrollment has grown tremendously and the Downey Science Building was completed in 1985. In 1991, the College implemented a resident student program, attracting students throughout New York State and Southern Ontario. In 1994, Medaille’s Kevin I. Sullivan Campus Center opened, offering students a perfect setting for athletic, dining, and recreational activities. The Sullivan Campus Center, with its Trbovich Alumni Tower, serves as home to the College’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III sports program. In the fall of 2001, Medaille opened its first on-campus Residence Hall, offering on-campus living for more than 140 students.

Since 1995, Medaille has evolved into an even more diverse and vibrant institution. The enrollment has increased more than 170% over the past nine years. With the advent of two branch campuses, the implementation of graduate programs, and a number of new undergraduate programs, the College has entered a new era. In the fall of 2003, Medaille reached another milestone... a total enrollment of 2,278 students. Even with increasing interest from students throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario, you’ll still find Medaille to be a place “where everybody knows your name.”

The growth has continued since 2001 with Medaille’s largest capital construction plan in its history. Over this short period of time, the College has invested $27 million in physical plant enhancements. In 2003-04, the College opened a second on-campus residence hall, expanded the Sullivan Campus Center, renovated the Huber Hall Library, added technologically enhanced smart classrooms, remodeled an Agassiz Circle landmark as a new home for the Admissions Office, and installed a new main parking lot and quadrangle greenspace.

As one of the fastest growing colleges in the country, Medaille continues to serve as an exciting institution, providing outstanding educational programs for men and women.

Recent Successes at Medaille College

• Medaille’s enrollment of approximately 2,400 students has increased more rapidly than most colleges in the country over the last few years (191% since Fall 1995).
• The College has invested $27 million in physical plant enhancements in the last three years.
• The installation of President Joseph W. Bascuas, Ph.D., as part of the Board’s commitment to boldly position Medaille for the future.
• Medaille has conducted national searches to bring faculty and staff with fresh perspectives to the College.
• A continued commitment to academic excellence has recently produced two new graduate programs in Organizational Leadership and Mental Health Counseling.
• The Institution has initiated a College-wide strategic planning process.
• Medaille boasts a significant surplus budget.
• Impressive placement rate is nearly 100%. We bring to campus excellent graduate school admissions and employment opportunities for our students.
• The faculty continue to receive national funding for their research from National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
• Medaille’s NCAA Division III athletic program has been admitted for membership in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
• Medaille’s beautified campus is more lively and engaging than ever with students attending classes, playing sports, and participating in extracurricular and work activities all across the campus.