Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU) is a state-related, land-grant, doctoral university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State conducts teaching, research, and public service. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery. Its University Park campus, the flagship campus, lies within the Borough of State College and College Township. It has the largest student body in Pennsylvania, and its School of Engineering is highly regarded nationally and internationally.

History

Penn State was founded as a degree-granting institution on February 22, 1855, by act P.L. 46, No. 50 of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania. Centre County became the home of the new school when James Irvin of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, donated 200 acres (80 ha) of land – the first of 10,101 acres (4,088 ha) the university would eventually acquire. In 1862, the school's name was changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, and with the passage of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, Pennsylvania selected the school in 1863 to be the state's sole land-grant college. The school's name changed to the Pennsylvania State College in 1874; enrollment fell to 64 undergraduates the following year as the school tried to balance purely agricultural studies with a more classic education.

Campuses

Today, Penn State has 24 campuses across Pennsylvania, including the flagship campus, University Park, which is located in State College. Other notable campuses include Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Penn State Harrisburg, the latter being a major contributor to the university's research output. Each campus offers a unique set of programs, facilities, and resources.

Academics

Penn State offers more than 160 majors among all its campuses, including highly ranked programs in engineering, business, and information sciences and technology. The university is also home to the Penn State World Campus, one of the top-ranked online universities in the United States, offering more than 150 online programs leading to various undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.

Athletics

The Penn State Nittany Lions are the athletic teams of Pennsylvania State University, competing in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The university has earned a reputation for excellence in a range of sports, most notably football, where the Nittany Lions have claimed multiple national championships. Beaver Stadium, the home of Penn State football, is one of the largest stadiums in North America.

Notable Alumni

Penn State has produced a wide array of distinguished alumni, including leaders in business, government, science, and the arts. Notable alumni include Guion Bluford, the first African American in space; Valerie Plame, former United States CIA Operations Officer; and John Cappelletti, a former professional football player and Heisman Trophy winner.

Research

Penn State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". With an annual research budget of over $900 million, the university ranks among the top in the nation in research expenditures. The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State is a major research center and DoD designated UARC (University Affiliated Research Center).