Baruch College: A History of Academic Excellence and Opportunity

Baruch College, officially the Bernard M. Baruch College, stands as a public college within New York City, an integral component of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Named in honor of the influential financier and statesman Bernard M. Baruch, an alumnus of the City College of New York (CCNY), the college is one of the senior institutions within the CUNY framework.

From Free Academy to Baruch College: A Historical Overview

Baruch College traces its origins to the Free Academy, established in 1847 as the first institution of free public higher education in the United States. The establishment of the Free Academy was enabled by the New York State Literature Fund, created to provide educational opportunities to students unable to afford private colleges in New York City. Overseen by a committee of the Board of Education of the City of New York, including Townsend Harris, J.S. Bosworth, and John L., the Free Academy evolved into the College of the City of New York (CCNY).

In 1919, the institution that would become Baruch College was founded as the City College School of Business and Civic Administration. The cornerstone of the school's new building was laid on December 15, 1928. Initially, the school did not admit women, but by the 1930s, women were enrolled in the School of Business. By 1935, CCNY reached its peak enrollment of 40,000 students, with the School of Business accommodating over 1,700 students in its day session alone.

In 1953, the school was renamed the Baruch School of Business, paying tribute to Bernard Baruch, a prominent financier and advisor to two presidents, who had graduated from CCNY in 1889. The establishment of the City University of New York (CUNY) system was formalized in 1961 through the New York State Education Law.

Leadership and Growth: Shaping Baruch College

Robert C. Weaver, former Federal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, served as the first president of the newly independent college from 1969 to 1970. In 1971, Clyde Wingfield, a distinguished educator, assumed the presidency, followed by economist Joel Edwin Segall in 1977. Segall played a crucial role in recruiting notable faculty members to the School of Business and establishing the college's permanent location on Lower Lexington Avenue.

Matthew Goldstein, who later became the Chancellor of CUNY, served as president from 1991 to 1998. He raised admissions standards and created the School of Public Affairs in 1994. Edward Regan, former comptroller of New York state, held the presidency from 2000 to 2004, during which time test scores and student retention rates improved, and many new faculty members were hired.

The opening of the Vertical Campus in 2001 marked a significant milestone, with Baruch College welcoming its first students from the CUNY Honors College, now known as the Macaulay Honors College. Kathleen Waldron became president in 2004 and secured substantial donations from alumni, leading to the renaming of the Vertical Campus, 23rd Street building, and Performing Arts complex in honor of the largest donors.

After Waldron's resignation in August 2009, Mitchel Wallerstein, dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, was appointed president on February 22, 2010, assuming office on August 2, 2010. He served until June 30, 2020, before becoming a University Professor at CUNY. S. Lois Banta is the current president of Baruch College.

Campus Facilities: Supporting Academic Excellence

Baruch College is situated between East 22nd and 25th Streets in Manhattan, along Lexington Avenue. The Lawrence and Eris Field Building, also known as the 23rd Street Building, remains in use by the college, with renovations commencing in 2013. The Information and Technology Building, located across East 25th Street from the Newman Vertical Campus, houses the William and Anita Newman Library. This building, once a substation for New York City streetcars, also houses a computer lab, the Baruch Computing and Technology Center, on the sixth floor. Additionally, it contains the offices of the Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and the International Student Center.

Key Facilities and Centers

Bernard L. Schwartz Communication Institute: An academic service unit and faculty development program.
Subotnick Financial Services Center: Opened in 2000, providing a simulation of practical trading experience. Its centerpiece is the Bert W. Subotnick Trading Room.
The Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship
Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute
Center for the Study of Business and Government (CSBG)

Academic Programs: A Diverse Range of Disciplines

Baruch College offers a wide array of academic programs through its three schools: the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, and the Zicklin School of Business. The college also houses several doctoral (PhD) programs offered through the CUNY Graduate Center.

Read also: Choosing Your Major at Baruch

Zicklin School of Business

The Zicklin School of Business is the largest of Baruch College's schools and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs in business-related fields. Areas of study include:

Accountancy
Economics
Finance
Information Systems and Statistics
Management
Marketing

The Zicklin School of Business also offers a joint JD/MBA program and partnerships with international institutions such as the American Graduate School in Europe.

Weissman School of Arts and Sciences

The Weissman School of Arts and Sciences provides a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as:

Arts
Communications
Natural Sciences
Mathematics
Social Sciences

The Department of History within the Weissman School aims to foster an appreciation for studying the past, understand the past's influence on the present, and provide a historical understanding of major world cultures. The Department of History has three paramount aims for its undergraduates, whether they are majors, minors, or students in the required core courses. First, we foster an appreciation for studying the past for its own sake, in all its variety, ambiguity, and strangeness. To this end, each course emphasizes the exploration and interpretation of primary sources, the raw materials with which historians construct the narrative of the past. Second, the faculty aims to help students understand that the past has shaped the present. We ask them to participate in the never-ending dialogue between the past and the present by encouraging them to explore difficult questions: What happened? Why did it happen? What were the consequences? What were the dominant values and the dissident voices? How did different cultures and societies interact? How did contemporaries and later generations differ in interpreting events? What are the context and meaning of the changes that have occurred in business, medicine, economics, politics, religion, culture, urban affairs, and gender and race relations? After exposure to these questions, students enter the world personally enriched and better equipped for whatever profession they choose. Third, the department understands its role in educating students for effective membership and leadership in a global political, social, and economic community by providing an historical understanding of the major world cultures. In courses that range from ancient to modern times, from Asia to New York City, and from the history of women to African-American history, we try to contextualize the world for students. History majors are required to take at least eight history courses (24 credits) numbered 3000 and above. They are encouraged to take courses in at least three of the six different geographical areas of our curriculum; these areas are Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, The United States, and Global, Comparative, or Transnational History. Majors are required to take the Capstone Course (History 4900). Students may take six credits toward their majors in other departments, if the courses are related to their program of study; prior consultation with a history department advisor is required.

Upon completion of a major in History, students will be able to:

Read also: Show Your Bearcat Pride

Identify and explain significant issues and trends in parts of the globe.
Place people and events within their historical contexts and relationships and with regard for race, gender, and other diverse experiences and identities.
Explain change over time.
Describe the factors that caused the major transformations in any epoch, be they social, economic, political, or cultural.
Identify and explain the theses, major arguments, strengths, and weaknesses of scholarly books and journal articles.
Locate primary and secondary sources and explain their evidentiary merit.
Use primary and secondary evidence to support observations and claims.
Produce a written work of historical research that demonstrates proficiency in the other goals.

Baruch College handed out 17 bachelor's degrees in history during the 2021-2022 academic year. Of the 17 students who graduated with a Bachelorâs in history from Baruch in 2022, 71% were men and 29% were women.

Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles in public service. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as:

Public Administration
Public Policy
International Affairs

Student Life and Activities

Baruch College provides a vibrant campus life with a wide array of student clubs and organizations. These groups cater to diverse interests, including academic, cultural, social, and professional pursuits.

Athletics

Baruch College competes in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The sports teams, known as the Bearcats, are members of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball.

Rankings and Recognition

Baruch College has consistently received high rankings from various publications and organizations. Some notable rankings include:

U.S. News & World Report: Ranked among the best regional universities in the North.
Forbes: Recognized as one of America's Top Colleges.
Money Magazine: Ranked among the Best Colleges for value.
Washington Monthly: Recognized for its social mobility impact.

Notable Alumni

Baruch College boasts a distinguished alumni network that includes leaders in various fields. Some notable alumni include:

Abraham Beame: Former Mayor of New York City.
Daniel Nigro: Former Fire Commissioner of New York City.
Carl Spielvogel: Advertising executive and diplomat.
Jennifer Lopez: Entertainer and businesswoman.
Fernando Ferrer: Former Bronx Borough President.
Adam Neumann: Co-founder of WeWork.

Notable Faculty

Baruch College has attracted and retained a number of notable faculty members known for their contributions to their respective fields. Some of these include:

Ervand Abrahamian: Historian specializing in Iran and the Middle East.
Abraham Briloff: Accounting professor known for his critiques of accounting practices.
David F. Gruber: Marine biologist known for his research on bioluminescence.
Douglas Lackey: Professor of Philosophy known for his work in bioethics.
Kenneth L. Marcus: Civil rights attorney and academic.

Tuition and Fees

During the 2022-2023 academic year, part-time undergraduate students at Baruch paid an average of $620 per credit hour if they came to the school from out-of-state. The average full-time tuition and fees for undergraduates are shown in the table below.

	In State	Out of State
Tuition	$6,930	$14,880
Fees	$534	$534
Books and Supplies	$1,500	$1,500
On Campus Room and Board	$18,684	$18,684
On Campus Other Expenses	$3,834	$3,834

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