HISTORY OF BARUCH COLLEGE
Sigma Alpha’s focus on charitable activities and giving students-in-need a helping hand derives from the fundamental culture that Baruch College bases itself on. The following will give a little perspective.
The “School of Business and Civic Administration” (now called Baruch College) on the corner of 23rd & Lexington was one of the few Business Schools in the country during the thirties. The School went on to produce many great leaders and successful businessmen of the 20th century to an extent that is rivaled only by The Harvard School of Business. In fact, the business school at the time which was part of CCNY was known throughout America as the “poor man’s Harvard”, through its rigorous academic program, good professors, and high student achievers. While the most famous alumni to graduate from 23rd and Lexington was Bernard Baruch–himself becoming am honorary member of Sigma Alpha later–the College as a whole produced eight Nobel Prize winners in the first half of the 20th century–more than any other public university in the country.
Since 1847, Baruch College’s service to the nation mirrors well the tradition of the great city that it thrives in – New York City. New York City was historically the city where immigrants would arrive from all over the world escaping prosecution and poverty, and seeking a better fortune. Most of them would arrive with nothing more than a case of personal belongings and their clothes on their back. The city’s bustling economy offered them many work opportunities and freedom to build wealth and family.
Baruch College’s typical student over the last century is first or second generation American. This includes the late Bernard Baruch himself. Baruch College’s successful business schools of the past and present had something that Harvard may never rival. Tuition was free or very minimal historically. This allowed young students with little income or support, but who nevertheless had a burning desire to excel and to strive for success, a place to shine. The slogan on Baruch College’s website is most apt, “The American Dream Still Works”
Today, Baruch continues this fine tradition of opportunity. It opens its doors to more International Students than any other school in the country. From Africa, to India, to Eastern Europe, there are few countries that are not represented. They, in turn, do the school proud and are usually ranked among its best students. Sigma Alpha, too, has historically also had strong participation from the International Student body at Baruch.
