Bill Recognizing Station Renaming Signed into Law by Governor Hochul in 2024
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the renaming of the 23 St station in Midtown to 23 St-Baruch College. Just a block away from the 23 St station, Baruch’s contributions to the community as a member of the City University of New York (CUNY) system are being recognized in the renaming.
“We're always open to renaming stations where there's a significant destination, like Baruch College, right by the subway,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “The school is a cornerstone of not only the CUNY system but the community, and we're proud to recognize its contributions with new signage.”
“Every day New York City Transit gets Baruch College students, faculty and staff where they need to go, and we’re excited to honor the connection between our transit system and the communities in which we serve,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Transit is here to connect neighborhoods and bring people closer together, so we'll continue to deliver safe and efficient service that the community can rely on.”
In 2024, Governor Hochul signed A8029C into law, which directed the MTA to rename the 23 St station to the 23 St-Baruch College station. Legislation to rename the stations was sponsored by Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
The school was founded in 1847 as the Free Academy, the first institution of free public higher education in the United States. Baruch College became an independent senior college in 1968. It is ranked among the region’s and nation’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review and others. The college’s more than 19,500 students, who speak more than 110 languages and trace their heritage to more than 168 countries, have been repeatedly named one of the most ethnically diverse student populations in the United States.
“As Baruch College's academic excellence continues to grow, it's only fitting that the local subway station — 23 St on the Lexington Avenue line — share its name,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “Making this wonderful institution easier to find and promoting its presence across New York City and beyond.”
“This renaming symbolizes Baruch College’s longstanding significance and impact in our community. It also celebrates the opportunities that higher education offers, especially to first-generation students who make up one-third of Baruch’s student body,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “I’m so proud to support the efforts to honor this vital institution along with Assembly Member Epstein, MTA Chair Lieber, and President Wu."
“I am happy to join Senator Gonzalez, Chair Lieber, and President Wu in celebrating the co-naming of 23 St-Baruch College Station,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “Baruch has been named the nation’s top college for social mobility for low and middle-income students. The co-naming of this station celebrates Baruch’s incredible impact on our city, state, and country."
“The 23 St-Baruch College station, the seventh location of our city’s subway system to carry the name of a CUNY college, also marks the location where the University first opened its doors more than 175 years ago,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodriguez. “As CUNY expanded its footprint to encompass 26 campuses across the five city boroughs, generations of New Yorkers have been transported by the MTA to classrooms and laboratories where CUNY helped them pursue and achieve their dreams. We celebrate this station co-naming as a symbol of the University’s ongoing partnership with the MTA. We thank Governor Hochul and MTA Chair Lieber, as well as Senator Gonzalez and Assembly Member Epstein, for their support.”
"Today marks a momentous occasion—years in the making—the co-naming of the 23 St train stop as “23 St–Baruch College,” said Baruch College President S. David Wu, PhD. "This is more than a name change; it’s a powerful symbol of aspiration, opportunity, and the transformative power of education. We are deeply grateful to Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez—champions of education and opportunity—whose leadership made this recognition possible and to our partners at the MTA, for helping us celebrate this historic moment."