Penn State Hazleton is a

commonwealth campus The Pennsylvania State University is a geographically dispersed university system with campuses located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While the administrative hub of the university is located at its flagship campus, University Pa ...

of the

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvan ...

located in Sugarloaf Township,

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

. It has an enrollment of 426 students as of 2021.

History

Penn State Hazleton's origins trace back to 1934 during the depths of the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. 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 University Park 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 or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, 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 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 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.

Athletics

Penn State–Hazleton teams participate as a member of the

United States Collegiate Athletic Association The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) is a national organization for the intercollegiate athletic programs of 72 mostly small colleges, including community/junior colleges, across the United States. The USCAA holds 15 nationa ...

(USCAA). The Nittany Lions are a member of the

Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference The Penn State University Athletic Conference is a member conference of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. It comprises 14 of the Commonwealth Campuses of Pennsylvania State University. History The PSUAC joined the United States C ...

(PSUAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, golf, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Residence life

Residence Halls Approximately 480 students live on the Hazleton campus. * North Hall (156) * South Hall (220) * West Hall (100)

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control Pennsylvania State University colleges Educational institutions established in 1934 Universities and colleges in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania USCAA member institutions 1934 establishments in Pennsylvania

Hazleton Hazleton may refer to: Places * Hazleton, British Columbia, Canada * Hazleton, Gloucestershire, a village in Gloucestershire, England ** Hazleton long barrows, Neolithic burial mounds at Hazleton, Gloucestershire, England ** Hazleton Abbey, a medi ...