Wisser Building is Renamed

At a dedication ceremony on June 20, the Wisser building on the Long Island campus was officially renamed the Barbara and Peter Ferentinos Health Science Building, honoring Peter and the late Barbara Ferentinos for their continued support of New York Tech. The building, which once housed the university’s library, is the new home of the School of Health Professions.

“Thanks to their generous support of the mission and scholarship at New York Tech, we are thrilled to officially rename the Wisser building in their honor,” said Jerry Balentine, D.O., provost and executive vice president. “This dedication not only shows their tremendous support of New York Tech, but the continued expansion and excellence of our School of Health Professions.” Balentine delivered these remarks at a ribbon-cutting event attended by Peter Ferentinos and several members of his family, as well as other members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff.  

Peter Ferentinos addresses the attendees at the dedication ceremony on June 20.

Ferentinos, an honorary degree recipient in 2013, is a longtime supporter of the university. He has been a Board of Trustees member since 1987. An exemplary entrepreneur, he has founded and owns multiple successful businesses across a variety of industries. Over the years, his children have stepped in to take over day-to-day management.

To date, he has donated nearly $2 million to the university. As part of their most recent commitment, Peter’s late wife, Barbara, who passed away in 2022, named New York Tech as her beneficiary.

“Over the last 36 years, Peter has served as a member of the New York Tech Board of Trustees. This makes him the longest serving board member in New York Tech history,” said New York Tech President Hank Foley, Ph.D. Foley also noted that Ferentinos and his late wife established the Peter and Barbara Ferentinos and Family Scholarship Fund to help support the academic careers and success of New York Tech students. “We like to say that New York Tech is a home for doers, makers, innovators, people who are inventive and entrepreneurial. And whatever it is in your genes—you’ve got it,” said President Foley, referring directly to Ferentinos. He concluded his remarks by saying, “We’re very, very glad to have the friendship of the Ferentinos family.”

Ferentinos recalled when he was asked by New York Tech’s first president, Alexander Schure, to join the Board of Trustees and the confidence that instilled in him. Now, he has been serving as a steward for nearly half of the university’s life.

A dedication plaque on display inside the Barbara and Peter Ferentinos Health Science Building.