that couldn’t exist anywhere else

People

Places

Events

Clubs

Courses

Resources

Accomplishments

Memories

And Traditions

that couldn’t exist anywhere else

Anyone who has walked these halls, taken courses here or taught them, or worked to keep the college running knows that FIT defies categorization. We are part of the State University of New York (SUNY) and also globally renowned, with students hailing from more than 65 countries. Yes, we teach fashion design—but also business and science and film and much, much more. Some consider us a commuter school, yet we house 2,300 students in our four residence halls. We have a world-class museum plus thousands of square feet of other gallery space for rotating exhibitions. Our students might take seven or eight classes while holding down an internship and a job. We have a robust athletics program! We are a leader in sustainability education! We offer more than 40 minors!
Maybe we need to stop trying to define FIT—an impossible task!—and celebrate the myriad delights of all kinds that create a college experience unlike any other in the world. So here are 50 things about FIT that make us smile. Our list is hardly comprehensive. Tell us what’s “so FIT” to you at [email protected].

Our secrets are hidden in plain sight.

How well do you know FIT? Take this quiz about campus artworks and other curious details to find out:

  1. This portrait in one of FIT’s lobbies depicts an important person from FIT’s past. Who is it?
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  1. Which of these quotes is carved on the marble walls of the Feldman lobby?
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The full quote (from Proverbs 3:13) appeared in the 1962 FIT student handbook in a note from Rosalind Snyder, a founding dean of FIT.

  1. What is the title of this sculpture, and who was the artist?
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Cronbach’s “Eye of Fashion” has been at the corner of 27th Street and 7th Avenue since the ’70s. “Hammarskjold” used to be on FIT’s campus and is now displayed at Brooklyn College.

  1. What do these windows look into?
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  1. This bust in FIT’s Special Collections office depicts which notable FIT person?
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Goodman, essential in the history of the college, wrote the language that made FIT part of SUNY, and briefly served as interim president. Crawford did not attend but her daughter Cathy did. Pope was one of FIT’s founders.

  1. Big Alice is located in the DTech Lab. What is it?
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  1. This fiber art piece by the late faculty member Wilma Grayson was conserved by FIT students and faculty at St. John the Divine in 2018. Where is it currently displayed?
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  1. Which of the following notable people never attended FIT? There are two right answers.
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Rankine took a precollege class. SZA attended briefly before dropping out for her musical career. McCarthy considered attending but decided not to. Herrera supports the college but did not study here. Lee took millinery courses as research for her book Free Food for Millionaires.

How many did you get right?

1–4: Newbie: Time to take some courses!
5–7: BMOC: You know your way around.
8: A+ student: Consider us impressed.
All 9 correct: FIT expert: You know the college, inside and out. Bragging rights forever!