The Molloy Story

“Molloy has some unique qualities: the genuine friendliness of a comparatively small group in an academic setting, the resulting close faculty-student-community relationship, emphasis upon quality rather than quantity, the wisdom to know that knowledge plus character is necessary for a successful happy life here and hereafter. These comprise the spirit of Molloy.” 1958 Dedication of Kellenberg Hall.

Molloy College was founded by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Cross Amityville. The establishment of a Catholic College for women on Long Island was a longtime dream of the Congregation that came to fruition after many years of patience and determination. With the support of Bishop Thomas E. Molloy and the encouragement of Monsignor Peter Quealy, on September 12, 1955, Mother Anselma Ruth O.P., Ph.D., first president of Molloy College, welcomed a freshman class of 44 young women. While the first academic building for the new college was being finished, classes were held at 915 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre.

From modest beginnings, Molloy College has grown rapidly and consistently. Established as a Catholic women's college with academic programs focused on service-oriented professions such as Nursing and Education, today Molloy, steeped in its Dominican heritage, welcomes a multi-denominational student body and offers bachelors, masters, post-graduate certificates and doctoral programs in various disciplines. Molloy continues to be a university in service to its community.

  • 1941 – Sisters of St. Dominic acquired 25 acres in Rockville Centre
  • 1955 – Official opening of Molloy Catholic College for Women
  • 1956 – Quealy Hall opened on permanent campus - 1000 Hempstead Avenue
  • 1960 – Absolute Charter received from NY State with approval to confer B.A. and B.S. degrees
  • 1967 – Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • 1971 – Charter Amended – name changed to Molloy College
  • 1982 – Molloy College became co-educational
  • 1988 – NY State approval to confer M.S. degree
  • 2005 – Establishment of the Suffolk Center in Farmingdale
  • 2010 – NY State approval to confer Ph.D. degree
  • 2011 – First of three student residence halls opened, as well as, the Public Square/Madison Theatre
  • 2013 – Molloy Clinics open in the Village of Rockville Centre
  • 2018 – Molloy Manhattan Center at 50 Broadway opens

Presidents

  • 1955 -- Mother Anselma Ruth, O.P.
  • 1957 -- S. Bernadette de Lourdes, O.P.
  • 1962 -- S. Mary Celeste Beck, O.P.
  • 1972 -- S. Janet Fitzgerald, O.P.
  • 1996 -- Dr. Martin Snyder
  • 1999 -- Dr. Valerie Collins (Interim)
  • 2000 -- Dr. Drew Bogner
  • 2020 -- Dr. James Lentini 

Additional information on Molloy and Traditions