Manhattan College Changes Its Name After 171 Years

NEW YORK CITY — Manhattan College will now be known as Manhattan University after school officials decided to change its name in an effort to better recognize its academic programs and attract a 'more globally diverse student body.'

The NYS Board of Regents approved the name change on August 1st.

In May 2022, the school surveyed more than 3,000 students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and alumni regarding a potential name change for the school. The vast majority of responders said yes to the transition to “University," officials said.

“As a 1981 graduate of the school and a proud Jasper, I’ve always thought of Manhattan College as something bigger, given the number of disciplines in the three schools we operate, the superb quality of our faculty, and the growing international reach of the student body. It’s a natural evolution in our long history in New York City, and a natural progression of our legacy that has stood for more than 170 years," President Milo Riverso said in a statement.

The school was founded in 1853 in Manhattan as a Lasallian Catholic college, Manhattan College relocated to the Bronx in 1923.

Officials said there is increasing competition from institutions in other states recruiting students in New York, nationally, and internationally and the term “college” presents a significant challenge.

“We are dedicated to having a broad and diverse student population, with an enhanced emphasis on increasing our international student populations. Additionally, as a Hispanic-serving institution, the university designation strengthens the distinction within these countries between college – often viewed as the equivalent of the U.S. high school – and the more appropriate university terminology," Riverso said.