FALL 1982
The Penn State-
Behrend Tradition
The Behrend College of The
Pennsylvania State University is
ta4 on a picturesque four
hundred-acre agate on the out
skirts of Fate. "NUM State-
Hebraic/ Ism than a name; it
is a history, a tradition, a future,
and a heritage of concerned and
farsighted people. A committee
of Erie citizens was formed after
World War II to investigate the
possibility of establishing a
public community college. The
committee decided that Erie's
needs would best be met by a
branch campus of The Penn
sylvania State University. Mrs.
Mary Brownell Behrend, wife of
the deceased Ernst Behrend
generously offered the Glenhill
Farm estate as a gift in memory
of her husband.
In 1898, Ernst Richard Behrend
founded the Hammermill Paper
Company with his father and
brother. Three years later, he
was appointed president of the
company, a post Mr. Behrend
held until his death in 1940. Mr.
Behrend, who was active in com
munity affairs, was Erie's only
citizen to be awarded the
Distinguished Service Certificate
by the American Legion, Penn
sylvania Department. Mrs.
Behrend also received many
honors, and in 1958 she was one of
the first individuals to be award
ed the Penn State Medal in
recognition of her "outstanding
contribution to higher
education."
The first class of 152 students
entered the Behrend Center in
1948. These students were able to
complete only their freshman
year at the center; but in five
years the curriculum was ex
panded to include the sophomore
year and two associate
programs. Erie Hall, the first
new building at the center, was
constructed entirely with con
tributioms from a community
fund drive in 1953.
In the University reorpiniza
tion of 1969, the Commonwealth
Campus system was established
Penn State
Behrend
and the Behrend Center became
the Behrend Campus of the Penn
sylvania Btate UniverSity. Mar
devw wank Of , the
catapult 0-W 2,lltWalumni and
an enrollment of more operation than 300
students, doubling the enrollment
of' 1948.
The decade of the 1960 s and
early 19701; saw much construc
tion on the campus. In 1962, the
Otto F. Behrend Buik=as
dedicated to Dr. Otto
Ernst's brother. In 1968, the J.
Elmer Reed Building, named
after the head of the committee
which developed a public higher
education institution in Erie, was
erected, and in that and the
following year the Niagara and
Perry residence halls were open
ed. During the summer of 1970,
the Edwin W. Nick Building, con
taining laboratories and
classrooms was completed north
of the Otto Behrend Building. A
residence hall, Lawrence Hall,
and a food service building, Dob
bins Hall, were opened in 1971 to
accommodate the increasing
number of students.
In 1971, with a total enrollment
of more than 1,200 students, the
first junior class of approximate
-Iyy 35 students was accepted at
Behrennd Campus. The following
June, the Behrend Campus
graduated its first three bac
calaureate students; two of them
had completed all of their course
work at Behrend. Approximately
1,500 students were enrolled in
1972 and 15 students were
graduated in the baccalaureate
programs. Students were offered
two baccalaureate majmu: the
B.S. in General Arts and Sciences
and the B.A. or B.S. in Science.
On January 20,1973 by an act of
the Board of Trmtess at The Pen
nsylvania State University, the
&Amend Campus became The
Behrend College, the only Penn
State campus to receive college
status within the University.
In 1972-73, 31 baccalaureate
students graduated from the
PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Behrend College out of an eaten
meat of 1,579.
In 1973-74,in the
associate degree
=Wises, Arts,
Arete the es
-104 associate degree offerings
of Electrical Engineering
Technology, Mechanical
Engineering Technology, and
Business.
Many new programs were add
ed to the curriculum in 1975-76:
an associate degree program in
Nursing and the Army Reserves
Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
and several baccalaureate
majors.
At the baccalaureate level,
Penn State-Bebrend now pro
vides a significant educational
alternative within The Penn
sylvania State University system
for students to complete B.A.
degrees in Communications,
Economics, English, General
Arts and Sciences, History,
Political Science, Psychology,
and Science; or B.S. degrees in
Accounting, Bio-Science,
Business, General Business,
History, Management,
Mathematical Studies, Physical
Science, and Psychology Studies.
The Bachelor of Philosophy
degree, tailored to an individual
student's needs, permits a pro
gram of studies to transcend the
somewhat more conventional
baccalaureate programs.
Penn-State Behrend • is an
educational community which
combines the perisonalisation and
flexibility of a small college with
the aca dem ic resources of a ma
unique land-grant university. This
combination enables 1,800
egraduate students to
achieve their personal and
academic potential.
This hendbook has been Mimed provide students with a mfannoe to the Information and regarding student Hie at Penn
Stailweehrertd. The Policies and Ms sßfor Students (Commonwealth and Other Branch Campue=published by the Unkervlty as a
reference systemwide Information, Stud
ent
policies end
with
which perMln to all students and fam.y. These tiro publkte.
dons here been to be used by students to become soominted with lirsiverift wee Inkmistion as well as load cempue traditions,
MOS, and activities.
The Student derldbook le putWehed by the Student Affairs Office.
Welcome From The Dean
Welcome to The Bebrend Col
lege and The Pennsylvania State
University. Like you, Penn State-
Bebrend not only is, but Penn
State-Behrend is becoming. I
hope you enjoy the excitement of
deny waids•thatiessmisia-netit
of you.
May students are r
concerned about a ca i re i ser 4 V
should be interested in not only a
cunt, but a second or third as
well. If you are destined to
change careers 2.3 times, you can
reasonably ask how to prepare
for that world of career change. A
major is very important, but it
may not be as important as the
acquisition of certain skills and
ins4ta ts.
t I have in mind specifical
ly are such skills as critical think
ing, quantitative reasoning and
speaking. I would -
ticula c emphasise the ability par to
write with clarity, subtlety and
persuasiveness, and a knowledge
of the world and its cultures
through the study of modern
languages, history, the arts, the
social sciences, and other
avenues. That kind of education
will assure you of a good chance
for not only a first but a third
career.
President Oswald's Message
Dear student at Penn State: provide information about many
This student handbook is a M - services, and OPlPor
reference bulletin for you in - affecting yOur life at
many asp ects oflife at Penn Penn State. But each one of you
State. But this has the ultimate freedom to make
publication is an important at- as much, or as little, of your life
titude Cfwhich is a bete as you wish. These are pro
w
state we care alma your life in determining your
dividual experience, activity, and your habits of inquiry,
development during your college your adult choice of values and
years. We endeavor to balance ethics. For each of you I wish a
the extensive individual fulfilling satisfying, and
freedoms of university life with enriching experience at Penn
your understanding and aecep- State.
tance of responsible and
in Sincerely,
a university community. JohnOswaki
Therefore, this handbook will President
VOLUME 4 NUMBER 1
So rather than pursue narrow
vocational interests, pursue a
major AND the broadest educa
tion possible in the humanities
and the sciences, both social and
natural. As new fields develop in
the future, you will be ready for
them.
My final advice is to take ad
vantage of this wonderful en
vironment. Go to the beach this
week, go to the gorge, go to ow
camp, use all 425 acres. Also go
downtown. Plan to attend con
certs at the Warner Theater, and
this winter go cross-country and
downhill skiing. Make the best of
this beautiful campus and region
year round. You're at a special
place make the best of it.