Staten Island Advance
A+ for Wagner College
“A team of educators representing the prestigious Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools has given Wagner College a glowing evaluation, a prelude to renewal of the school’s accreditation.
The report, based in part on a three day visit to the Grymes Hill campus earlier this month, gives the college the highest marks in the areas of governance, organization and administration, and the quality of its faculty, students and curriculum.
The committee credits the leadership of Wagner President Dr. Norman Smith for turning the college around, financially and academically, over a three year period. “
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper (above).
October 23, 1988
Wagner College’s new president, Norman R. Smith seems to have taken the Grymes Hill campus by storm and sparked an infectious optimism about the school’s ability to route the financial problems that have beset it for the past several years.
An informal survey of faculty, non-teaching staff and students over the past three months shows a complete elimination of the air of pessimism that pervaded the 106-year-old school at the end of the 1987-1988 school year. Student leaders and professors then not only questioned the school’s leadership, but whether the school would survive.
Restoration Showpiece
In his three years as Wagner College president, Dr. Norman Smith has worked hard to improve what was the declining appearance of the 108-year-old college.
“The campus was indeed in disrepair.” Smith wrote in his annual review for the 1989-1990. But the college has undergone a restoration; he said, “That has turned into a showpiece.”
More than renovating dorms and replacing cafeteria furniture, Smith is overhauling the college’s image.
Known mostly as a local college, Wagner has initiated a marketing campaign to attract students as far away as Pennsylvania and Boston.
Alumni Praise
Growth and good friends were the key words last night as Wagner College opened its doors to welcome and honor students, faculty and alumni at the Wagner Alumni Association’s annual awards and reunion dinner.
Holding reunions were the Classes of 1939 and 1949, celebrating their 50th and 40th reunions, respectively. They, along with the evening’s honorees, began with a cocktail reception during which they reacquainted themselves with people they haven’t seen in years.
“We’ve seen good times, and we’ve seen bad times, and now we’re back to the good times.” Exclaimed Wagner College president Norman R. Smith, to the enthusiastic applause of the alumni during his welcoming address.
Sports Legacy – April 20, 2002
…this community owes Smith, who had the vision — there’s that word again —to purchase the former Augustinian Academy. That’s where Wagner’s women softball players and the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams practice and now play…in the last decade, Wagner has added six sports for women and lacrosse for men.
One more item, perhaps most important of all. A month ago, US News and World Report’s cover story surveyed 303 colleges and highlighted what it called Americans Best College Sports Programs at time when it was revealed that zero percent of Cincinnatti’s players earn degrees. Out of those 303 schools, Wagner ranked 15th (best graduation rate).
If, as Norman Smith critics claim, he was indifferent to athletics, then future generations of Wagner athletes can only hope the next administration is as indifferent.
Community Welcomes Wagner President
“Smith and his wife, Dr. Susan Robinson, came to Staten Island seven months ago when he was appointed Wagner’s 17th president, replacing Dr. Sam Frank, who resigned a year and a half ago after serving six years.
“There’s a real partnership present which makes this a very special place.” Smith said earlier in the evening. “That’s what we are with Staten Island – partners.
Smith and his wife both praised Staten Island’s civic leaders for their efforts of welcome and assistance. “The spirit of support I’ve received from the borough president has been a key to my energies.” Smith said during a conversation just outside the reception area.”
“Norman Smith came on campus like a strong, fresh breeze on a smotheringly hot summer’s day. He revived the life, rallied the troops, gave new hope and beautified the campus and the immediate neighborhood. Wagner indeed has a leader again. Tough problems remain and dog him, but he has wiped away fears that they won’t be overcome. “ – Les Trautmann, Editor of the Staten Island Advance
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper (above).
December 20, 1999
“Wagner College is a school on the move and it’s shooting for nothing less than a place among the national stars of higher education.After years of wallowing in the backwaters of academe—and in red ink—the school is beginning to realize a return on its investment in Dr. Norman Smith, a Toronto-born educator who was named president of the College in 1988.
Though he arrived on the 105-acre, Grymes Hill campus unheralded at the tender age of 41 – fresh out of a deanship at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and untested in any president’s seat – he has clearly risen to the challenge of running a $40 million-a-year educational operation.
Smith said his first visit to the campus yielded such a clear vision of what Wagner College could be that his business and marketing plan for the school almost wrote itself. “
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper (above). Written by Marjorie Hack, Advance Staff Writer
June 5, 2002
“When Norman Smith came to Wagner College in 1988, the ‘Good Ship’ Wagner was floundering in murky seas,” said Dr Robert Anderson, the College’s longest serving member. Fourteen years later, Wagner is steaming ahead and charting a course of success with enrollment topping 2,000 and SAT scores shooting past the 1,100 mark.
The College has been cited as one of the four most notable liberal arts colleges in American in 2002 by TIME magazine and logged four consecutive years as one of US News and World Report’s ‘top tier’ regional colleges.
“Norman knew what an unpolished gem Wagner was and he immediately turned his vision into reality,” said Chairman Emeritus Don Spiro.
“Dr Smith stands as a monument of those who have been most respected and influential in the entire history of Wagner College,” said Charles D’Arrigo, a former Trustee and Surrogate.
May 18, 2002
“The man credited with turning a little-known college in debt into one of the country’s notable liberal arts institutions, bade farewell to Wagner College yesterday at his 15th and final commencement exercises.
Smith arrived at Wagner in 1988 at age 41, when the Grymes Hill school’s main lawn was void of grass…the enrollment stood at about 1,200 and the average SAT score…was 800.
Today, the institution boasts first-class facilities, a more distinguished faculty and a student body of greater geographic diversity.
Part of the legacy Smith leaves is his ability to harness financial support. During his tenure, well-heeled alumni…donated generously toward the construction of a $12 million sports center…and made other improvements possible.”
September 19, 1993
“After five years at Wagner College, president Norman Smith is up.
Admissions are up, the average Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of new students is up, and Smith says Wagner College is up to the challenge of getting “to the top of the lists” of small colleges nationwide.
The president of Wagner met with members of the Advance Editorial Board recently, to show off his campus and to discuss the past five years at Wagner under his leadership. “
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper, September 19, 1993 (above).
September 19, 1998
…”U.S. News & World Report, in its report, 1999 Best Colleges, ranks Wagner College in the “top tier” among 200 private and public colleges and universities of all sizes (but not including those offering doctorate degrees) in the Northeast region (from Maine to Maryland). That ranking is based upon a wide array of factors, ranging from graduation rate to freshman retention, faculty-student ratio, class size, SAT scores, the percentage of freshman applications accepted and the extent of alumni involvement. “
Excerpt to the right is from the Editorial Page of the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper, September 19, 1998 (above).
Small Town Flavor in Heart of Big City
“Fall enrollment at Wagner College is up for the fourth consecutive year, and administrators see the growth as a positive indicator of how far the college has come over the last decade.
Enrollment for 1995-96 is 1,753 students, up from 1,675, last year, 1,585 for 1993-94, and 1,369 in 1992-93. Of the students currently enrolled, a total of 1,505 are undergraduates. The students represent 23 states and 28 countries, an indication of the geographically broader appeal of Wagner.
The increase in enrollment has also translated into increased revenues for Wagner. The College reported revenues’ of #33.4 million, up $10 million since 1992-93 “
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper, written by Diane C. Lore, Advance Staff Writer
Wagner’s Turnaround Elicits Accolades
“Wagner College has accomplished a turnaround that appears to be nothing short of miraculous by putting the problems it faced just two years ago in its past, according to faculty and staff at the 107-year-old college.
Interviews with almost a dozen members of the college community reveal a new spirit on the Grymes Hill campus that matches a new look.
This contrasts sharply with both the mood and appearance of the college at the close of the 1987-88 academic year. “
Excerpt to the right is from the Staten Island Advance daily newspaper.
A New Beginning
Daily News
For several years, Wagner College on Grymes Hill, Staten Island, suffered from an identity crisis. Plagued by declining enrollment and fiscal woes, it was a school in trouble.
“Frankly, there were many who didn’t even know it existed,” said Norman Smith, president of the college.
However, when Smith went to Wagner almost two years ago, he vowed to change all of that. “It was a school waiting to happen, and I felt it was time to get the word out to let everyone know we had a great thing here,” Smith said.
Suffolk University
Chief Chosen
Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities, a Washington, DC group…said Smith’s experience would serve him well at Suffolk. “I think it’s a great move,” he said, “He’s very talented” —Boston Globe, August 28, 2014
Wagner Link
Winter 2002
“I am especially gratified when alumni tell me how proud they have become of their alma mater as a result of the improvements throughout Wagner over the past 14 years.
Wagner’s extraordinary achievements could not have been realized without the generosity of passionately committed alumni and friends who made my years as President so successful.”
-Norman Smith
excerpted from the Winter 2002 edition of the Wagner Alumni Link
(left)
Fourteen Years of Breakthrough and Achievements
Fourteen Years of ….
Consistent balanced operating budgets since 1988.
Best fundraising outcomes in the history of the College far exceeding total giving for the entire previous history of the College.
Undergraduate enrollment evolves to capacity including exceeding the capacity of the residence halls.
Enrollment profile revers from principally local and commuting to over 75% residential and over 50% out-of-state.
Quotes – Winter 2002
“Never in the history of Wagner College have so many owed so much to one man. Norman Smith’s legacy can never be overstated.”
– Dr. John Lehmann ’62, Vice Chairman Trustee Emeritus
“Norman smith came to Wagner just when it stood at the crossroads between life and death. Under his guidance, we not only survived, but found prosperity and a true rebirth of spirit.”
– Professor Bill Murphy
“Ever since Dr. smith took over as President, Wagner’s reputation and our credentials have been on the rise. We are grateful for his leadership.”
– Professor Ammini Moorthy