The State University of New York College at Cortland was founded in 1868 as the Cortland Normal School, which included among its earliest students inventor and industrialist Elmer A. Sperry of Sperry Rand Corp. fame. Over time, the campus continually grew, and in 1941, by an act of legislature and the Board of Regents, the institution officially became a four-year college providing courses leading to the bachelor's degree and soon was widely acknowledged as Cortland State Teachers College. In 1948, Cortland was a founding member of the State University of New York.

SUNY Cortland is an academic community dedicated to diverse learning experiences. Students grow as engaged citizens with a strong social conscience fostered by outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service.

George Breen, Olympic swimmer/medalist Ted Demme, film director and producer Mick Foley aka "Mankind", professional wrestler and author. Ann E. Dunwoody, first female four-star general in the history of the U.S. Armed Services (U.S. Army) and 2011 NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award winner Nathan L. Miller, 43rd Governor of New York R-Kal Truluck, professional football player C.B. Bucknor, current Major League Baseball umpire Catherine Samali Kavuma, Ugandan author, World Bank executive, and former Ugandan ambassador to the United States Fern Kupfer, author John Stigall, poet Zane Lamprey, television host, actor, and writer Sid Jamieson, noted head lacrosse coach at Bucknell University Kevin James, comedian, television and film actor (did not graduate) Jake Steinfeld, actor and television personality (did not graduate) Michael J. Waldvogel, National Lacrosse Hall of Fame member Brian Giorgis, Marist College women's basketball head coach Paul Wehrum, NCAA Lacrosse Hall of Fame

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