The Farmingdale State College's (FSC) Department of Academic Support & Access Programs (ASAP) was proud to recently host a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for Knapp Hall in celebration of its freshly completed $9.3 million renovation. Students, faculty, staff, and media gathered at the morning event to tour the building’s new, spacious and bright floor plan, learn more about FSC’s programs, speak with staff and the wonderful students they serve, and enjoy raffle prizes and light refreshments.  

Built in 1936, Knapp Hall is one of the oldest buildings on FSC’s campus, where it formally served as a dining hall. It was named after Halsey B. Knapp, FSC’s director (president) from 1923-1956, when the College was known as the State Institute of Applied Agriculture, and then as the Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute after 1946.

Knapp Hall’s three-year renovation included a 20,000 square-foot addition and a total reconstruction of the first floor, which now houses FSC’s academic support and access programs, including: the Collegiate Science and Technology Education Program (CSTEP), TRIO, SUNY Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Program, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Smart Scholars Program, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), and the Pathways to Technology (P-Tech) Early High School Initiative in Long Island High Needs Districts. Previously, the programs, which annually serve more than 1,500 secondary school and FSC students, were separated across campus. 

“The project brought everything together under one roof,” said FSC President Robert S. Prezant, PhD. “It created a hub in the heart of campus, in this really beautifully renovated space designed to support individual and group learning and our ongoing efforts to prepare our students to achieve their academic goals.”  

Centrally located between Bunche Plaza’s fountain and The Mall’s verdant pathways, Knapp Hall now offers an inviting student lounge, state-of-the-art computer lab, quiet study spaces, several tutoring rooms, staff offices, and seminar and conference space. 

“Farmingdale State College has a very long history of supporting underrepresented students in pursuit of higher education,” said ASAP Executive Director Janice Rivera. “The dedication of this newly renovated space and the time, effort, and resources that have gone into ensuring students’ needs were met is yet another example of the College’s commitment to their success. Overall, these programs are unique in their own way, but collectively one mission drives us, and that is to support our students in meeting their full potential. These programs go beyond providing academic support and preprofessional development to helping students identify and address any factor that impedes upon their success and serve as mentors for one another.”  

“My parents are very supportive, and I appreciate them for that. But they did not have the tools to help me prepare for college the way they wanted to,” said Jayden Sampeur, ‘25, a manufacturing engineering technology major in the TRIO and CSTEP programs of his difficult transition from high school to college. “In my experience, having people by my side to help with the responsibilities of college has proven time and time again to be an amazing asset to have.”  

“It’s a home away from home,” said Joshua Adrien, ’26, mechanical engineering technology major in the CSTEP program. “It’s really amazing. And it’s easier to visit your advisors and have a chat. That absolutely helps you figure out where you’re going, what to expect, how to stay organized, and how to figure everything out. It’s precious to have help like that.” 

“To our students, you are the driving force of it all,” Rivera concluded. “You drive everything that we do and every day that we get up to come to Farmingdale State College. You are amazing and capable of anything you set your mind to.

“Remember, you belong here and you are not alone...We have your back.”  

View more photos from Knapp Hall's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on our Flickr Gallery.

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