Remsen Street Traditions
As St. Francis College prepares to move from our current home in Brooklyn Heights to a new state-of-the-art facility in Downtown Brooklyn, we recall cherished traditions from 180 Remsen Street.
Remsen Traditions
President’s Lecture Series
The President’s Lecture Series consists of discussions between SFC President Miguel Martinez-Saenz and leaders in politics, business and the larger community. Learn more.
Thomas J. Volpe Lecture
The annual Thomas J. Volpe Lecture is funded through a generous gift from Thomas J. Volpe, Chairman Emeritus of the St. Francis College Board of Trustees and former Senior Vice-President of Financial Operations for the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. Learn more.
Professor John J. McCabe ’65 Lecture
Launched in 2019, this series exposes the SFC community to perspectives in finance delivered by leaders and innovators in the field. Its namesake is an SFC alumnus who taught finance at the College from 1968 to 1981. Learn more.
Concerts at Half-Past Twelve
Recently concluding its impressive 22-year run, the Concerts at Half-Past Twelve series was organized and hosted by its founding and artistic director, SFC professor emerita Suzanne Forsberg, Ph.D.
Women’s Film Festival
This multi-day event honors women’s contributions to cinema and showcases the work of emerging filmmakers from around the world. Learn more.
Terrier Tuesday
To kick off the academic year, Remsen Street is closed to traffic, and SFC hosts a block party full of food, fun and Franciscan hospitality at its best. Watch video.
St. Clare and St. Francis Week
SFC celebrates the feast day of its patron saint, Francis of Assisi, and his stalwart companion, St. Clare, recognizing the life and legacy of two individuals who started a worldwide movement for good that continues to thrive more than 800 years later. Learn more.
1859 Giving Day
One of SFC's newer traditions, this is a day when the College community comes together to give generously, enabling SFC to provide access to a world-class education to underserved and under-represented students.
Athletic Awards Banquet
SFC celebrates the achievements, both on and off the field of competition, of its student-athletes at this end-of-the-academic-year event.
Pinning Ceremony
Soon-to-be graduates of the nursing program are awarded their nursing pins, symbolizing entry into the profession. This long-standing practice is attributed to Florence Nightingale, known as the mother of modern nursing.
Charter Day
On May 8, 1884, the New York State Legislature granted a charter to the trustees of St. Francis Academy to “establish a literary college in the City of Brooklyn under the title of St. Francis College, with the same powers to confer diplomas and literary honors possessed by the universities and colleges of New York State.” Each year, at the Charter Day convocation, SFC commemorates this momentous occasion in its history while honoring students, faculty, staff and community partners. Learn more.
Commencement
On May 19, 2022, St. Francis College held commencement exercises at the Coney Island Amphitheater. Learn more.