bronx community COLLEGE

Bronx Community College was established in 1957 after 10 years of effort by civic-minded people and groups in Bronx County to meet the ever growing need for increased higher education facilities in the "Borough of Universities and Progress."

College classes were first held in February 1959 at the former site of the Bronx High School of Science at the corner of Creston Avenue and 184th Street. Dr. Morris Meister as the college's 1st president, the school quickly developed into a comprehensive community college offering a broad range of academic courses.

The City University of New York was created by the State Legislature in 1961 and included Bronx Junior College as one of its 7 constituent undergraduate colleges. The City University now includes 17 undergraduate colleges, a law school, a graduate school, a medical school, and an affiliated school of medicine.

Over the next 10 years the college grew quickly, due mainly to the introduction of an open admissions program. By 1972, the school was occupied 7 additional centers all within walking distance of the main building and serving approximately Ten-thousand matriculated students.