Stony Brook University

History

It was founded in 1957 as the State University College on Long Island with about 100 students enrolled. The first temporary campus was at the William Robertson Coe Planting Fields estate in Oyster Bay. Originally, SBU was a college for preparing secondary school teachers in mathematics and the sciences. The present campus (since 1962) is located on land donated by philanthropist Ward Melville. The original donation consisted of over 400 acres (1.6 km²), but the campus is now about three times that size.

Related Topics:
1957 - Oyster Bay - 1962 - Ward Melville

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The Stony Brook campus was initially concentrated around what was called G-Quad (now Mendelsohn Quad), and almost all offices were contained here. Classes took place at the Humanities building, and some classes were still offered at Oyster Bay. However, the 1960s and 1970s witnessed rapid growth under President John S. Toll. More buildings went up around campus, and academic programs and enrollment grew.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - John S. Toll

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During the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War, Stony Brook was a hotbed for activism -- so much so that it was given the nickname Berkeley of the East. The school is also notable for its numerous conflicts with the government of New York State, often over budgetary considerations. Among the best known revolves around the University Hospital that now dominates the campus' skyline, and how its construction apparently almost bankrupted the state.

Related Topics:
Civil Rights Movement - Vietnam War - Berkeley - New York State - University Hospital

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In the 1990s the school underwent a project to revitalize the campus. Numerous buildings were renovated, most importantly the Student Activities Center, as well as each residential quad. More recently, the school has completed the building of a massive Asian-American Center that was funded largely by a donation from Charles Wang. The university also finished building a stadium, as well as new apartments for undergraduates. Renovations were recently completed on the original Humanities building, and new apartments continue to be built.

Related Topics:
1990s - Asian-American Center - Charles Wang

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