THE HISTORY OF BARUCH COLLEGE

Baruch College traces its history directly to the Free Academy, the first institution of free public higher education in the United States, which was founded in 1847 on the site still occupied by the College, at 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue. Townsend Harris, the founder of the Free Academy, called on the city to "let the children of the rich and poor take their seats together and know no distinctions save that of industry, good conduct, and intellect."

Bernard M. Baruch, financer, philanthropist, and advisor to eight presidents, was an alumnus of City College (as the Free Academy was renamed in 1866), and, as a trustee, he campaigned for the establishment of a school of business and government administration within the college. This was accomplished in 1919, and "City College Downtown," as the School became informally known, produced countless business and civic leaders. In 1953, the city recognized Mr. Baruch's great service and distinguished career by naming the school after him.

In the early 1960s, City College, Hunter, Brooklyn, Queens, and others were brought together under the administration of The City University of New York, governed by a Board of Higher Education, now called the Board of Trustees. Baruch separated from City College and became a distinct senior college of the University in 1968. In 1979, funding and oversight for the University were shifted from the city to the state. In 1994 the College was reorganized and the School of Public Affairs was established.

Baruch College has been ranked as the most diverse college in the United States, with students from more than 90 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and from 150 nations around the world. Total current enrollment is over 15,000, including nearly 2,500 graduate students.