MAKING OF A PRESIDENT
2002
1996
1992
1991
MAKING OF A PRESIDENT
The High School of American Studies at Lehman College opens.
In ten years, it will become the No. 1 ranked high school in both
New York City and State, and recognized as one of the finest
high schools in the United States.
The Carnegie Foundation names Professor Sondra Perl of the
English department the New York Professor of the Year.
Dr. Ricardo R. Fernández is named the second President of
Lehman College. He affirms Lehman’s historic commitment to
access, excellence, and strong ties with the community, and
expands partnerships with Bronx schools. He introduces new
academic programs, and continues a building and beautification
program on campus The New York Times has called “the
most attractive of the CUNY colleges…with some of its finest
facilities.”
1991
Dr. Fernández is formally inaugurated the second President of
Lehman College on October 25, 1991.
BronxNet, an award-winning cable television station, moves into
Carman Hall. Many television journalists—both in front of and
behind the camera—get their start with the Bronx-based network.
1992
Presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown debate at
Lehman Center before the New York primary focusing on issues
affecting urban America.
Veterans of the WAVES reunite on campus, where 86,000
trained during World War II, to dedicate a stained glass window
in the Music Building.
Lehman celebrates its 25th anniversary year.
1997
A five-year campaign to save historic Jerome Park Reservoir
from becoming a filtration plant site is successful.
2011
1999
2000
The APEX, a $57 million center for sports and fitness, opens.
The Times calls Rafael Viñoly’s design “a temple to physical
education.”
The Institute for Literacy Studies celebrates its 10th anniversary
with a conference on urban education.
1995
The beauty of the campus is enhanced by the installation of
decorative gates and new metal fencing thanks to the support of
Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and Councilwoman
June Eisland.
Lehman joins a CUNY initiative, funded by the National Science
Foundation, to improve science-and math-teacher preparation.
A delegation from Lehman becomes the first group of CUNY
students to visit Hanoi and travel throughout Vietnam.
Lehman Today
Lehman is rated one of the top colleges in the country for Latino
students by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.
The TV show “Law and Order” becomes a regular visitor to the
Lehman campus for college scenes.
2001
Billy Collins, a Distinguished Professor of English at the College,
is named U.S. Poet Laureate. He will go on to serve two
consecutive terms as U.S. Laureate and also New York State
Poet Laureate. Over the next ten years, Professor Collins will
become the best known and most widely read poet in the United
States.
Distinguished Professor of Music John Corigliano wins the 2001
Pulitzer Prize for Music.
The Library receives a major Spanish Civil War collection.
The CUNY Institute for Irish-American Studies is established
at Lehman.
2010
The College’s brand new $16 million state-of-the-art Multimedia
Center/Lehman Studios opens.
2011
Ground is broken for the future Child Care Center next to Shuster
Hall. The Child Care Center will open in 2013 and eventually
provide a caring, safe, and educational center for 140 children of
Lehman students.
After four years of construction, Science Hall, the College’s new
state-of-the-art research and teaching facility, is dedicated in a
ceremony attended by CUNY officials and the Bronx Borough
President Rubén Díaz, Jr., a proud Lehman alumnus.
2004
2004
2000
President Fernández is awarded an honorary doctorate in 2009
from Sungshin Women’s University of Seoul, South Korea.
2012
A Middle States accreditation team describes Lehman as a
“main source of opportunity” for students and called the faculty
“excellent” and “very involved in research and service.”
2002
2009
President Fernández is given the NFL Hispanic Heritage Award
by the New York Jets.
The $13.5 million Information Technology Center opens in
Carman Hall.
The Bronx Small Business Development Center opens in the
Old Gym.
1994
The Lehman College Foundation, together with President and
Mrs. Fernández, host a reception in the Lehman Art Gallery for
the College’s Distinguished Professors. Outstanding students,
selected by the Distinguished Professors, each receive a $100
prize in honor of their accomplishments.
1998
Distinguished Professor of Music John Corigliano wins the 2000
Academy Award for Best Original Score for the film The Red
Violin.
1994
Lehman dedicates a new main entrance at Gate Five on Goulden
Avenue, featuring a new walkway and plaza with a striking work
of public art, called “Intersections” featuring famous works of
poets, philosophers, musicians, and scientists.
Lehman sports teams adopt a gender-neutral mascot as the
Lightning replaces the Lancers.
1993
The 500-seat Lovinger Theatre is named in honor of Lehman
College patrons Monroe and Rose D. Lovinger.
Lehman kicks off its 35th year and the 125th anniversary of
Gov. Lehman’s birth with the symposium “Herbert H. Lehman
Remembered.”
President Fernández urges State legislators to fund key initiatives
in the CUNY budget request for programs and capital projects.
Lehman wins neighborhood beautification awards from the Bronx
Borough President and Citizens Committee for NYC.
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2003
1997
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2014
The College gathers to honor the Lehman student and three
alumni, who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Students stage a mock General Assembly with Secretary General
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who comes to campus to honor Lehman’s
historic role in the creation of the United Nations. Dogwood trees
are planted in a “peace grove” on the campus oval near the Old
Gym, site of the 1946 Security Council meetings.
1993
2012
Responding to the critical shortage of nurses in the New York
area, Lehman begins a cooperative program with the Seoul
National Medical Center that helps Korean nurses—who have
already earned their New York State licenses—increase their
understanding of English language medical terminology and the
operation of American healthcare facilities.
2013
On January 28, the first day of the Fall 2013 semester, Science
Hall, officially opens.
The Child Care Center opens.
2015
A reception at Lehman Brothers in midtown Manhattan salutes
the 35th anniversary of Lehman College and the 125th
anniversary of the birth of Herbert H. Lehman. Richard S. Fuld,
Jr. chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers, hosts the event,
which raises over $150,000 for the Governor Herbert H. Lehman
Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Lehman honors Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi, winner
of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, at a reception at the United
Nations cosponsored with the International Health Awareness
Network (IHAN). Mrs. Ebadi gives the keynote address at a
Lehman/IHAN symposium, where she receives the Lehman
Leadership Award. The College establishes the Shirin Ebadi
Peace Scholarship in her honor.
2005
A bust of the College’s namesake Herbert H. Lehman, sculpted
by John Belardo of the Lehman Art Department, is dedicated
during a ceremony on campus.
2006
Lehman College hosts the international event “A Dialogue on
China and Russia” with Ambassador Andrey I. Denisov of the
Russian Federation and Ambassador Yishan Zhang of China.
Lehman Library is officially named the Leonard Lief Library, in
honor of Lehman College’s first President, Dr. Leonard Lief.
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2016
2014
Lehman College receives a statue of “The King,” a replica of an
Olmec Head, a gift from Mexico to celebrate the first anniversary
of the CUNY Institute of Mexican Studies, which is housed at the
College.
2015
The Lehman College Peace Bell, inspired by a trip by President
Fernández to South Korea, is unveiled in a ceremony on campus.
The bell is a generous gift by Mr. Yong Lee, a friend of the
College, and his family.
President Barack Obama arrives at Lehman College on May 4
to launch My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a nonprofit, aimed at
helping at risk young urban males to stay in school.
At Convocation in September, President Fernández announces
that he will retire at the end of the 2015-16 Academic Year,
completing 26 years as President of Lehman College.
2016
Ground is broken for the $70 million new science building.
The women’s basketball team captures the CUNY championship
title defeating Brooklyn College in overtime 73-67.
An agreement for a dual-degree program with Sungshin
Women’s University in South Korea is signed, furthering the
College’s international reach.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivers the 47th
Annual Herbert H. Lehman Memorial lecture.
Lehman Today
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