The Granito Center on the Dominican University New York campus.
Dominican University New York has received a $1 million donation from an alum, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“We are indeed grateful for this donor, and all of our benefactors,” said Joseph Valenti, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, we are able to offer financial aid packages and scholarships that make an education at Dominican University affordable, even to first-generation college students who make up more than 30 percent of our student body”
All first-time, full-time freshman receive some form of financial aid at Dominican University. In addition, students leave Dominican with 27 percent less debt than the national average.
June 14, 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2023: Watch Their Commencement Highlights
Join us as we celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of the Class of 2023. In this video, you will see some of the best moments from their graduation ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Westchester County Center.
Dominican University’s 69th Annual Commencement Ceremony Held on May 17, 2023
Inventor Dr. Victor Lawrence, whose discoveries led to worldwide access to the internet and HDTV, delivered the Commencement Address at the Westchester County Center
The Class of 2023 was celebrated during the 69th Annual Commencement at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY, on May 17, 2023. Inventor Victor Lawrence, Ph.D., whose discoveries led to worldwide access to the internet and HDTV, delivered the Commencement Address was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Dr. Lawrence is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a former Vice President for Advanced Communications Technology at AT&T Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies, and the former Associate Dean and Charles Batchler Chair Professor of Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He is now a Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Center for Intelligent Networked Systems at Stevens Dr. Lawrence holds 53 U.S. and international patents, is the co-author of five books and has published more than 100 papers. In addition to inventing technologies that have improved life around the globe, he is a tireless advocate for worldwide access to the internet, and committed to mentoring the next generation of inventors.
Other outstanding alumni and community members recognized during the Commencement ceremony include:
Sr. Jean Graffweg, O.P. ‘70 – Sr. Jean is the Migrant Head Start Director at House on the Hill in Goshen, NY, an early childhood and migrant seasonal Head Start center that serves the children of farmworkers in Orange County . She was awarded the Veritas Medal during Commencement. Throughout her 42 years of ministry, Sr. Jean has filled many roles at House on the Hill, serving as a kindergarten teacher, bus driver, and even a cook. The mission of House on the Hill is to provide comprehensive educational, health, social services, disability services, nutrition services, community partnerships, and family engagement to the children who are between two months and five years old.
P. Joseph Corless– Corless is a professional engineer with Corless & Associates, who has over 50 years of environmental and civil engineering activities, including construction management, general civil and municipal engineering. As a past chair of the Dominican University New York Board of Trustees, and a longtime trustee, Corless has volunteered to serve as Project Engineer to oversee the multiple facilities that the University has constructed during his time on the board. His expertise, hard work, and generous commitment to the institution have made the development of Dominican’s campus possible. Corless received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Daniel Colon, ’13 – Colon was awarded the Badami Outstanding Alumnus Award, a prestigious award presented to a young alumnus each year. Colon is a research and development specialist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. He overcame a difficult childhood and knew education was the pathway to a better life. Since graduating, Colon has returned to Dominican University on several occasions to talk to our biology majors about his professional and personal journey. He also started an intern program, has mentored many Dominican University students and supported the hiring of Dominican graduates for entry level positions in the vaccine industry.
April 17, 2023
Dominican College is Now Dominican University New York
A new sign for Dominican University New York was unveiled by administrators.
Dominican College has been elevated to the status of a university, becoming the first university in Rockland County. Dominican College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D., announced on May 18, 2022, that New York State Board of Regents has granted Dominican College university status and approved the name change to Dominican University New York.
“This is an important milestone in our history as we prepare to celebrate our 70thanniversary,” said Sr. Mary Eileen. “Changing our name to Dominican University New York brings formal recognition to the caliber of our academic programs. With our new name comes additional prestige and more opportunities for the school and our students.”
Dominican offers a range of undergraduate programs and graduate programs in nursing, business, occupational therapy, education, and organizational leadership and communication. In addition, it has the distinction of being the only institution in Rockland County to offer doctoral degrees – including Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dominican has a strong academic reputation for its liberal arts, business, education, and health-related programs. Recently, Dominican added programs in finance, information technology, health sciences, and marketing. Dominican also caters to adult learners through programs in the evenings, on weekends, or online.
The news of the university status follows earlier announcements that Dominican had secured two federal grants, one from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the other from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dominican was one of only 10 higher education institutions nationwide and the only one in New York State to receive the HHS grant and will use the funding to launch a new Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) program this fall.
“The news about our university status coupled with the infusion of the federal funds will certainly raise the profile of our school,” said Sr. Mary Eileen. “Dominican University New York has a bright future that will serve more students from around the region and beyond.”
Dominican was granted university status by the New York State Board of Regents based on the fact that Dominican offers graduate programs in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.
Founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, the College began as a two-year college for religious women to become educators. Over the years, the campus expanded to accommodate a growing enrollment and to welcome resident students. A number of new buildings were constructed including an athletics facility, residence halls, a dining hall, and a new academic building for health and science education. The most recent construction was the expansion of the Hennessy Center with a new gymnasium and fitness center. A new turf field is anticipated for 2023. Dominican has a total of 17 NCAA Division II sports teams, as well as a competitive rowing club and a new esports team.
Dominican has been named both a College of Distinction and a Catholic College of Distinction. On the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges List, Dominican was ranked #21 out of Regional Universities North for social mobility. It is also designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and was recognized as Military Friendly.
Dominican University New York moves forward with a renewed spirit and dedication to its mission to promote educational excellence, leadership, and service in an environment characterized by respect for the individual and concern for the community and its needs.
