Penn State Hazleton
Encyclopedia
Penn State Hazleton is a commonwealth campus
of the Pennsylvania State University
. It is located in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County
, Pennsylvania
, near the junction of Interstates 80 and 81. The campus occupies over 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in Sugarloaf Township
and has an enrollment of over 1,200 full and part-time students; both traditional and non-traditional.
. Since this was a time when many people could not afford to go to college, the college came to the people. At the request of Hazleton's community leaders, a community survey was completed by the Pennsylvania State College's extension services to determine the actual extent of the need and community support for a center. Hazleton was one of 14 communities to request a center, and only four requests were fulfilled. In September 1934, the Hazleton Undergraduate Center opened with 47 full-time and 60 part-time evening students. The freshman and sophomore students began their studies in Hazleton and completed their degree at Penn State's main campus in State College or another institution.
Over the next several years, the center was housed in various locations—first in the upper floors of the Markle Bank Building on Broad and Wyoming Streets, then in the former Broad Street School. To accommodate the influx of men and women returning from service in World War II
, additional space was leased in the A.D. Thomas Elementary School and the former Walnut Street School.
A permanent home came in December 1948 when the college purchased 26 acres (105,218.4 m²) in Sugarloaf Township which, for nearly 25 years, had served as the residential estate of local coal baron Eckley B. Markle. Known as “Highacres,” the site consisted of four buildings that gave the college the space it so desperately needed. The estate, built by Alvan Markle Sr., featured a 32-room fieldstone mansion with every modern convenience available at the time, as well as domestic staff quarters, a greenhouse, and five formal gardens. Markle’s mansion quickly became the administration building and, at various times during its life, has housed offices, classrooms, the library, health services, a kitchen, and a dining room. The domestic staff's quarters were transformed into the library, dormitory and infirmary. The greenhouse became the botany laboratory, and a new building, known today as Laurel Cottage, served as the chemistry laboratory. Over the years, many new facilities were added to Penn State Hazleton.
Today, the administration building is the most recognized Penn State Hazleton structure, serving as one of the symbols of the campus. Recently, the island in the semi-circular driveway became the home to another Penn State icon - the Nittany Lion statue, a three-fourth’s scale replica of the original at University Park.
Through gifts and purchases, Penn State Hazleton now consists of 104 acre (0.42087344 km²) of land, with the historic structures standing side-by-side with new and modern academic buildings, a manicured garden, a scenic overlook/picnic area, and a number of nature trails.
Associate Degrees
In addition, more than 160 Penn State majors can be started at Penn State Hazleton and completed at University Park or another Penn State campus.
Approximately 480 students live on the Hazleton campus.
Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth Campus
The Pennsylvania State University is a geographically dispersed university system with campuses located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
of the Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. It is located in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Demographics :As of the 2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 6.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, near the junction of Interstates 80 and 81. The campus occupies over 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in Sugarloaf Township
Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Sugarloaf Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,652 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.9 square miles , of which, 21.9 square miles of it is land and...
and has an enrollment of over 1,200 full and part-time students; both traditional and non-traditional.
History
Penn State Hazleton's origins trace back to 1934 during the depths of the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Since this was a time when many people could not afford to go to college, the college came to the people. At the request of Hazleton's community leaders, a community survey was completed by the Pennsylvania State College's extension services to determine the actual extent of the need and community support for a center. Hazleton was one of 14 communities to request a center, and only four requests were fulfilled. In September 1934, the Hazleton Undergraduate Center opened with 47 full-time and 60 part-time evening students. The freshman and sophomore students began their studies in Hazleton and completed their degree at Penn State's main campus in State College or another institution.
Over the next several years, the center was housed in various locations—first in the upper floors of the Markle Bank Building on Broad and Wyoming Streets, then in the former Broad Street School. To accommodate the influx of men and women returning from service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, additional space was leased in the A.D. Thomas Elementary School and the former Walnut Street School.
A permanent home came in December 1948 when the college purchased 26 acres (105,218.4 m²) in Sugarloaf Township which, for nearly 25 years, had served as the residential estate of local coal baron Eckley B. Markle. Known as “Highacres,” the site consisted of four buildings that gave the college the space it so desperately needed. The estate, built by Alvan Markle Sr., featured a 32-room fieldstone mansion with every modern convenience available at the time, as well as domestic staff quarters, a greenhouse, and five formal gardens. Markle’s mansion quickly became the administration building and, at various times during its life, has housed offices, classrooms, the library, health services, a kitchen, and a dining room. The domestic staff's quarters were transformed into the library, dormitory and infirmary. The greenhouse became the botany laboratory, and a new building, known today as Laurel Cottage, served as the chemistry laboratory. Over the years, many new facilities were added to Penn State Hazleton.
Today, the administration building is the most recognized Penn State Hazleton structure, serving as one of the symbols of the campus. Recently, the island in the semi-circular driveway became the home to another Penn State icon - the Nittany Lion statue, a three-fourth’s scale replica of the original at University Park.
Through gifts and purchases, Penn State Hazleton now consists of 104 acre (0.42087344 km²) of land, with the historic structures standing side-by-side with new and modern academic buildings, a manicured garden, a scenic overlook/picnic area, and a number of nature trails.
Academics
Bachelor Degrees- Business
- Information Sciences and Technology
- Letters, Arts, and Sciences
- Organizational Leadership (for Adult Learners)
- Applied Psychology
- General Engineering with the Alternative Energy and Power Generation Track
Associate Degrees
- Business Administration
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Information Sciences and Technology
- Letters, Arts, and Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
In addition, more than 160 Penn State majors can be started at Penn State Hazleton and completed at University Park or another Penn State campus.
Athletics
Varsity Athletics- Men's Baseball
- Men’s Basketball
- Men’s Soccer
- Team Tennis
- Golf
- Women's Basketball
- Women’s Volleyball
- Women’s Softball
Residence Life
Residence HallsApproximately 480 students live on the Hazleton campus.
- North Hall (156)
- South Hall (220)
- West Hall (100)