SUNY Niagara

SUNY Niagara
Former name
Niagara County Community College (1962–2024)
MottoThe Smart Place to Start
TypePublic community college
EstablishedNovember 8, 1962; 64 years ago (November 8, 1962)
Parent institution
State University of New York
AffiliationsNational Junior College Athletic Association
PresidentLloyd A. Holmes
Undergraduates4,785 (fall 2025)
Location
Sanborn
,
New York
,
United States

43°08′45″N 78°52′43″W / 43.145963°N 78.878660°W / 43.145963; -78.878660
Campus
ColorsNavy blue and yellow
  
NicknameThunderwolves
MascotTripp the Thunderwolf
Websitesunyniagara.edu

SUNY Niagara (formerly Niagara County Community College, or NCCC) is a public community college in Sanborn, New York. Founded in 1962, SUNY Niagara is sponsored by Niagara County and offers associate degrees as part of the State University of New York system. Dual admissions programs facilitate transfer to four-year colleges upon completion of the two-year degree programs.

SUNY Niagara operates the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute as a remote campus within the former Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet in downtown Niagara Falls, New York.

History

Niagara County Community College's first campus opened on September 30, 1963 within a former Nabisco factory at 430 Buffalo Avenue in downtown Niagara Falls, New York.

The current campus opened on February 5, 1973 at the corner of New York State Route 31 and New York State Route 429 in the suburban community of Sanborn, New York. It was built on 287 acres (1.16 km2) of semi-wooded land, with eight interconnected buildings:

The school's library was named in honor of philanthropist Henrietta Grigg-Lewis on November 15, 2005 after her foundation donated $1 million for modernizing the facility.

On August 29, 2008, the college opened its first student housing complex featuring suite style units for 308 students.

The school's Niagara Falls Culinary Institute opened on September 28, 2012 within the former Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet in downtown Niagara Falls, New York.

In February 2024, the school changed its name from Niagara County Community College to SUNY Niagara.

Presidents

Athletics

SUNY Niagara athletic teams were first known as the Frontiersmen from 1962–1984, and then the Trailblazers from 1984–2010. They became the Thunderwolves in 2010, along with the introduction of mascot Tripp the Thunderwolf.

Eric Knuutila has coached wrestling at the college since 1973, producing four national champions including Rashad Evans.

The 1977–78 men's basketball team fell one game shy of a perfect season after losing the 1978 NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

Notable people

Rashad Evans, class of 2000

Alumni

Faculty

References

  1. ↑ "SUNY Enrollment". State University of New York. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "ALL GROWN UP NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMBARKS ON THE BIG 4-0". Buffalo News. October 27, 2002. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "History - Celebrating 60 Years in 2022". Niagara County Community College. October 1, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ "NCCC - 50th Anniversary Highlights". Retrieved 2013-09-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ Michelmore, Bill (August 25, 2005). "NCCC gets $1 million donation for library". Buffalo News. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Miles, Joyce (September 17, 2006). "Hidden Treasure". Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Caitlin, Caitlin MurrayE-mail (July 9, 2008). "NCCC: College's new housing complex ready to open its doors". Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Rainbow Mall Redevelopment". Empire State Development. August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Niagara County Community College rebrands to SUNY Niagara". WKBW 7 News Buffalo. February 21, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Presidents of the College". Niagara County Community College. November 13, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Niagara County Community College names Murabito president". Niagara Frontier Publications. November 20, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  12. ↑ Creenan, Robert (June 6, 2024). "Lloyd Holmes named new SUNY Niagara president". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ Gazette, NATE BEUTELNiagara (December 2, 2010). "Tasker speaks as Thunderwolves mascot is unveiled". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ Class, Induction. "ERIC KNUUTILA – Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame". Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ "NCCC Men's Basketball 40th Reunion". Niagara County Community College. May 1, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  16. ↑ Gazette, Michele DelucaNiagara (February 27, 2012). "DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: Niagara Native Mark Bridges nominated for academy award". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Rashad Evans makes UFC Hall of Fame". Niagara Gazette. May 20, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  18. ↑ Vogel, Charity (February 5, 2006). "Native son Writer Eric Gansworth feels the weight that comes from being the main living literary voice for a nation and a people -- the Tuscaroras". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Hockenos' recent distinction a well-earned accolade". altoonamirror.com. July 31, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  20. ↑ Harrington, Mike (September 17, 1993). "JACOB TAKES JOB AS NIAGARA COUNTY CC BASKETBALL COACH AFTER MCCORRY RESIGNS". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Five inducted into NCCC Athletics Wall of Fame". Niagara County Community College. July 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Nancy J. King, Maryland State Senator". Maryland State Archives. September 5, 2007. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Maziarz will deliver GCC commencement address". Orleans Hub. April 30, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  24. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  25. ↑ Harrington, Mike (November 6, 1992). "RAY HALL IS BACK IN WNY AS ASSISTANT COACH AT NIAGARA CCC". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  26. ↑ Goods, Jack (September 20, 2018). "John Tavares, Rich Kilgour to serve as co-head coaches for Bandits". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Division Faculty - Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences". Niagara County Community College. August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  28. ↑ Bradley, Patrick J. (December 23, 2022). "Don Luce leaves a legacy of giving; spotlighted & fought injustice". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  29. ↑ "The Spirit, 23 October 1973".
  30. ↑ Hunter, John O. (2011-01-20). Reading Yeats and Striving to Be a College President. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4502-8544-5.