Manhattanville in Purchase, New York, is celebrating a new era as it inaugurates its 15th President Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., and transitions from Manhattanville College to Manhattanville University. The school planned a week of events to honor and celebrate these historic moments with the theme “Leading a Valiant Vision.”
Previously, Sánchez served six years as president of Rhode Island College and has quickly become an active member of the community on and off campus. His focus on curricular innovation, experiential learning and workforce development are leading Manhattanville into a new era for the next-generation student.
“This is a significant inflection point in Manhattanville’s nearly 200-year history,” said Sánchez. “As we officially become Manhattanville University, a recognition of the breadth and depth of our undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, we are ushering in the next phase of forward-thinking program development and transformative educational experiences. We’re building on a strong tradition of innovation and social action and I’m honored to be at the helm of this storied institution during this powerful moment.”
Sánchez has led Manhattanville through a rebrand, including a redesigned institutional seal and new logos. New signage and banners around campus will feature the new brand elements as well as a university launch campaign featuring a “U” visual with silhouetted photos highlighting students. The campaign tagline, chosen through Manhattanville community meetings and focus groups, speaks to a central theme tied to the school mascot: “Always Forward. Always Valiant.”
“Our elevated status as Manhattanville becomes a university will enhance our ability to live our mission every day as we continue to educate socially responsible leaders,” said Associate Provost Alison Carson, who is chair of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee. “That’s truly something worth celebrating, and we have a whole week of activities planned to commemorate the transition to Manhattanville University and honor President Sánchez. It was a group effort to plan these activities – which include everything from a day of service to special lectures, a university launch ceremony, a pep rally, an Expo highlighting our innovative programs and the excellence of our students, faculty, and staff, topped off by the inauguration ceremony and a gala – and I look forward to celebrating these special moments with our community.”
Manhattanville student leaders have been a part of the planning and creating buzz on campus. “I have had the opportunity to meet with President Sánchez regularly and to work with faculty and administration as part of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee,” said Aela Mansmann, student body president at Manhattanville. “I shared ideas for engaging students so that they would have a voice in the new branding and be a hands-on part of the university launch.”
The Manhattanville College letters from the previous sign will be handed off to student government leaders at a ceremony at the new sign installation. “The letters from the old sign will live on as a piece of our history in the student government offices,” said Mansmann. “I’m proud to be a Manhattanville student, and I’m excited for this next evolution.”
Manhattanville traces its roots to 1841 as Catholic academy for girls in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and was chartered as a college in 1917. With more than 55 undergraduate programs, 70 graduate programs and a doctoral program, Manhattanville is continually evolving to meet the needs of today’s students. Manhattanville is getting set to launch several new academic programs that further demonstrate continued curricular innovation to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow. Manhattanville is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and provides a supportive environment for all students, including those who are the first in their family to go to college.
For a full list of Inauguration Week events, visit https://www.mville.edu/about/office-of-the-president/presidential-inauguration.php
