Medaille's History
With three campuses in Western New York, Medaille College is a dynamic private, four-year college committed to serving the higher education needs of Western and Central New York, and Southern Ontario. The College is located within the historic Olmsted Crescent in the heart of Buffalo, New York, with branch campuses in Amherst and Rochester. The Institution is known for its flexible delivery systems, offering master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees.
Medaille College traces its roots to 1875, when it was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph as an institute to prepare teachers. In 1937, the Sisters received an absolute charter from New York State and their institution was named Mount St. Joseph Teachers' College, chartered to grant baccalaureate degrees in education.
In 1968, the Sisters of St. Joseph, led by Alice Huber, SSJ, Ph.D., initiated a change in the charter, which would create a new, co-educational college. New York State granted this charter and Medaille College was born.
In the 1970s, Medaille experienced rapid expansion. Since that time, student enrollment has grown tremendously and the Downey Science Building was completed in 1985. In 1991, the College implemented a resident student program, attracting students from throughout New York State and Southern Ontario.
In 1994, Medaille’s Kevin I. Sullivan Campus Center opened, offering students a perfect setting for athletic, dining, and recreational activities. The Sullivan Campus Center, with its Trbovich Alumni Tower, serves as home to the College’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III sports program. In the fall of 2001, Medaille opened its first on-campus residence hall, offering on-campus living for more than 140 students.
In 2003-04, the College opened a second on-campus residence hall, expanded the Sullivan Campus Center, renovated the Huber Hall Library, added technologically-enhanced smart classrooms, remodeled an Agassiz Circle landmark as a new home for the Admissions Office, and installed a new main parking lot and quadrangle greenspace.
Expansion has also continued at Medaille’s branch campuses. With a need for more space and upgraded facilities, the Amherst campus moved to its new location at 30 Wilson Road, Williamsville, NY, in May 2007. And in June 2009, the Rochester campus relocated to 1880 South Winton Road in Rochester, with classrooms, study space and an expanded library in a dedicated facility.
In June 2007, Medaille welcomed its sixth president, Dr. Richard T. Jurasek. Under his leadership, the College is committed to developing partnerships with local organizations, and to contributing to the educational, civic and economic development of the region.
