History of the State University of New York at Fredonia

SUNY Fredonia joined the newly-formed State University of New York System in 1948 as one of the 11 teacher's colleges within the university and in 1961 became the State University of New York College at Fredonia with an expanded mission. Its history dates back to its roots as the Fredonia Academy, established in 1826 by the citizens of Fredonia. In 1867 it was named one of the new State Normal Schools.

The 249-acre campus of SUNY Fredonia is striking in its beauty. A traditional brick perimeter encloses a modern sculptured core. Well-kept lawns and wooded areas enhance the beauty of the campus. Facilities on the university campus reflect its diversity and reputation for excellence.

There are 14 residence halls on the SUNY Fredonia campus, including high quality corridor and suite-style, as well as kitchen suites in some halls. In addition, several lifestyle options are available including residence halls with a Wellness Center and an Aerobics Center, special interest housing, and substance-free living. There is high speed Internet access in every room and all residence halls have electronic entry access for added safety and security. Hendrix Hall is also the site of the student-operated television station, WNYF-TV. Residence life offers the added advantage of activities planned by students. Cranston Marché and Erie Hall are the main dining facilities, supplemented by the Williams Center food services including the new Center Pointe Lounge and cafes in selected buildings. The University Commons combines Cranston Marche with a residence hall, bookstore, Starbucks Coffee shop, and convenience store. Gregory Hall, the first residence hall on the present campus, was named in honor of former university president Dr. Leslie R. Gregory, and also is the home of the Office of Residence Life, the Faculty Student Association, Career Development Office, and University Police.

The Williams Center, a circular building appropriately situated at the center of campus, houses the offices of Campus Life, Volunteer and Community Services, Lifelong Learning and Special Programs, and the Student Association, and several major student organizations including the student newspaper, The Leader. It also contains a variety of dining options, meeting, activity and recreation spaces, and the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office. Dods Hall, one of two athletic facilities, contains classrooms, gymnasia, the Blue Devil Fitness Center, a newly-renovated dance studio, and racquetball courts. Outside are lighted tennis and basketball courts. Adjacent to Dods is Steele Hall, which contains an indoor ice skating rink, track/basketball arena, and the university's natatorium/swimming and diving facility. A new soccer/lacrosse/stadium opened in 2007.

Enhancing student and community life is the Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center, a magnificent performing and visual arts facility. In addition to classrooms, the facility contains the 1,200-seat King Concert Hall, the 400-seat Marvel Theatre, and Bartlett Theatre, and two art galleries.

LoGrasso Hall is the home of the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, and the Office of International Education. McEwen Hall includes lecture halls, classrooms, a television studio and Fredonia Radio Systems. Reed Library, named in honor of Daniel A. Reed of Sheridan, plays a key role in the teaching and learning process as students and faculty make heavy use of the 18 million volumes that comprise the holdings of the SUNY libraries. Over 32,000 journals are available online along with extensive collections of microforms, videotapes and DVDs. The Music Library houses more than 17,000 sound recordings and over 30,000 musical scores and performance parts. Archives and Special Collections contain extensive holdings, including the university archives, materials related to local history, records of the Holland Land Company, and books and manuscripts of the noted Austrian author Stefan Zweig. Reed Library is also the home of the Carnahan-Jackson Center for Learning and Scholarship, the university's Learning Center and Office of Disability Support Services for Students, and the Professional Development Center. With seating for 500-plus in many different areas, there is always a place to study in Reed Library.

Maytum Hall is the home of administrative and business offices as well as the Office of the Registrar, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Administrative Information Technology (AIT). For the 2009-2010 academic year, all offices in Maytum will be relocated during renovation of the building. The Registrar, Academic Affairs, and AIT administration, programming and data communication will be located in Reed Library; Student Affairs in Gregory Hall; Institutional Research and Planning in Fenton Hall; and Financial Aid, and Student Accounts/Cashier in the Williams Center.

Fenton Hall, named in honor of Reuben Fenton, governor of New York State from 1865 to 1868, former congressman and U.S. Senator, who attended the Fredonia Academy, is the main humanities and mathematics and computer science office and classroom building. The University President's office is also located in this building, as well as Academic Advising, and Graduate Studies and Research. Jewett Hall and Houghton Hall are the natural and physical sciences buildings containing classrooms and laboratories, and offices for the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geosciences and Physics. Thompson Hall, the largest academic structure on campus, was opened in the summer of 1973. In addition to the social science departments, the College of Education, the School of Business, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Henry C. Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders, and the Media Center, are all housed in this building.

Mason Hall, home of Fredonia's School of Music, is named for organist, composer and teacher Lowell Mason, called the "Father of Public School Music in America." Its 500-seat Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall opened in 2004, named after the 1930 alumna.

Located about 12 miles from the campus, the Herbert C. Mackie Memorial Camp provides opportunities for year-round educational and recreational activities. A sleeping lodge was completed in 1989.

A formal groundbreaking for the permanent building in the nearby City of Dunkirk to house SUNY Fredonia's Technology Incubator was held in Fall 2008.

Hours when academic buildings are open are published separately.