June 3, 1954
17asrogY cfr THE HRZLETONUmVaSITY CENTER
This year our University Center celebrates its 20th birthday. For a
number of years,,The Pennsylvania State University (until this year the
PennsAvania State College) received requests from the Hazleton area to provide
work of collegiate grade in this areao
As a result of these requests, plus a number of surveys, The Pennsylvania
State University established the Hazleton University Center in September 193
Classes were first held in the Markle Banking and Trust Building with
students and six staff members. However, the Center grew so rapidly that in three
years the size of the student body, now numbering 101, had grown the quarters,
and it was necessary to relocate the Center. 1rLth11,e 2 3_,.232p the Center moved
to quarters in the Broad Street School Where it remained for 1 .2 years, with the
addition of some rooms at A.D.Thomas and Walnut Street Schools. In 1949 the
Center moved to its present location at Highacres where the beauty of he campus
makes studying much more pleasant.
As the Center has grown in size and prestige, its policy has undergone constant
change. During the years 1936-37, the American Association of Collegiate
Registrars accredited the Hazleton University Center on a Junior College basis.
In 1937-38, the Board of Trustees of the University adopted a resolution making
the Centers a part of the services of the Pennsylvania State University.
In 1939-40, the Hazleton University! Center was admitted to full membership in
the American Association of Junior Colleges, as well as to the Junior College
Council of the Middle Atlantic States. In 19 4 the Hazleton Educational
Council was incorporated with its purpose o support, promote and encourage
educational institutions in Hazleton and with its primary job to aid and advise
the local Center. Also in 1949 $ the Center became a member of the Pennsylvania
State Association of Junior Colleges, Last fall, when the Pennsylvania State
college became the Pennsylvania State University, the Center also gained added
prestige,
As the Center grew, its faculty ahO'Administration Heads changed too. The
first Administrative Head was R. F. Eidie„ who served until 1939 when Coleman
Herpel took over the position. From 1943 until 1951, when he .was succeeded by
our present Administrative Head, Mr. Merle Campbell, Mt. Amos A.Goss was Head.
Mt. Frank Kostos will succeed Mr. Campbell next year, when the latter assumes
a new nosition with the University.
The Center has indeed grown over the years and it has played an important
part in the life of the community. It is hoped that the Center will continue to
succeed in its worthy thdeavor to bring higher education within the reach of
more people.
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