Founded by theSociety of Jesus in 1946, and named after the Jesuit missionarySimon Le Moyne, the college has graduated more than 35,000 students as of 2021[update].[5] At its founding, Le Moyne was the first Jesuit co-educational college in the United States.[6]
Walter A. Foery, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Syracuse, helped bring about the formation of Le Moyne College. Foery proposed to provide for the city of Syracuse "a truly American school with religion and morality as the foundation stones". The college's first home was a storefront on East Onondaga Street in Syracuse. Later, it moved to the Hiscock Mansion on James Street. The college moved to its current (as of 2025[update]) campus in 1948.[5]
In 2014,Linda LeMura, formerly the college'sprovost and academic vice president,[7] was appointed as the 14th president of Le Moyne College.[5] LeMura is the first laywoman in history to serve as president of a Jesuit college or university.[7]
As of 2020, the college enrolled more than 3,700 students. As of 2021, the college offers more than 30 majors, an evening program, a variety of graduate courses, and a doctoral program in executive leadership.[5] In 2022, Le Moyne received 7,066 undergraduate applications, which represents an increase of 5.31% annually. There was an 78.3% acceptance rate with 5,531 students accepted.[8]
Le Moyne College's 160-acre (0.65 km2)[9] campus is mostly located in theDe Wittcensus-designated place,[10] in the suburban town ofDeWitt, including all of the buildings used for academic purposes.[4] A small portion of the campus is within the city of Syracuse.[11] As of 2021, there are 35 buildings on the campus.[5]
Le Moyne College begins every academic year with two rituals: (1) 'Moving In Weekend,' when current students help to carry the boxes and suitcases of the new, first-year students into the dormitories; and (2) the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which continues a tradition dating back to the first Jesuit school, established in Messina, Sicily, in 1548 (probably preceding this date). The meaning of this Mass is based in Catholic theology; the campus community commits to seeking knowledge as a community of scholars.
Another annual tradition at Le Moyne College is "Dolphy Day", which originated in 1971. Dolphy Day is named forEric Dolphy and has been said to have been inspired byFrank Zappa's song, "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue". Although Le Moyne's mascot is a dolphin, campus officials say there is no direct relation between the name of this event and this college icon. Each year, a "Wizard" is chosen (by the preceding Wizard).[12]
Environmental sustainability is integrated into Le Moyne College facilities planning and operating processes.[13] In June 2010, the college began construction on a new, 48,000-square-foot (4,500 m2) science facility. The science complex provides teaching and research space for use by faculty and students in the science and health professions. Its environmentally-sound design features include day lighting, solar preheating, and thermal storage, resulting in the award of LEED-Gold certification.[14]
TheLe Moyne Dolphins are the athletic teams for the college. As of July 1, 2023, Le Moyne competes inNCAA Division I as a member of theNortheast Conference (NEC).[15] Previously, Le Moyne competed in theNCAA at theDivision II level through the 2022–23 school year with 21 varsity teams, offering participation opportunities for over 340 students. Since 2003, Le Moyne men's lacrosse has won six NCAA Division II national championships.[16] Previously, Le Moyne competed in theNortheast-10 Conference in all sports,[17] but started a transition to Division I on July 1, 2023, as a new member of the NEC.[15] All Le Moyne teams compete in the NEC.
Kris M. Balderston, public affairs consultant; former managing director of theGlobal Partnership Initiative and deputy special representative for global partnerships in the Office of the US Secretary of State; former deputy chief of staff, US SenatorHillary Clinton[18]
Michael Charles Green, executive deputy commissioner of the NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services; formerMonroe County, NY district attorney and federal judge nominee
John Beilein, former head men's basketball coach at Le Moyne from 1983 to 1992 and former head men's basketball coach at theUniversity of Michigan, 2007–2019
Daniel Berrigan (1921–2016), former professor of New Testament studies and founder of the International House at Le Moyne, social activist, author, poet
George Coyne (1933–2020), inaugural McDevitt Chair of Religious Philosophy at Le Moyne and former head of theVatican Observatory
John M. Corridan (1911–1984), former economics professor at Le Moyne and the inspiration for the character of Father Barry in the classic filmOn the Waterfront
Frank Haig, former president of Le Moyne from 1981 to 1987 and younger brother of former U.S. Secretary of StateAlexander Haig
John J. McNeill (1925–2015), former professor at Le Moyne, noted peace activist during theVietnam War and an advocate forLGBT rights
J. Donald Monan (1924–2017), administrator and faculty member at Le Moyne from 1961 through 1972, later served as president ofBoston College from 1972 to 1996
Dave Paulsen, former head men's basketball coach at Le Moyne from 1997 to 2000 and current head men's basketball coach at theCollege of the Holy Cross
Harold Ridley (1939–2005), former professor, English Department chair, and chief academic officer at Le Moyne and former president ofLoyola College in Maryland
Margaret C. Snyder, first dean of women at Le Moyne and a noted social scientist with a special interest in women and economic development, particularly in Africa.
^Le Moyne College's campus, including all the buildings used for academic purposes, has aSyracuse mailing address but lies primarily within the adjacent town of DeWitt.
^ab"Town of DeWitt"(PDF).ongov.net. p. 1/24. RetrievedAugust 15, 2023.The Town is the site of most of the campus and all of the academic buildings of Le Moyne College.
