California University of Pennsylvania
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California University of Pennsylvania |
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| Motto | Integrity, Civility, Responsibility. |
| Established | 1852 |
| Type | Public |
| President | Angelo Armenti Jr. |
| Faculty | 244 |
| Staff | 363 |
| Undergraduates | 5,943 |
| Postgraduates | 1,241 |
| Doctoral students | N/A |
| Location | California, PA,, United States |
| Address | 250 University Ave. California, PA 15419 |
| Telephone | 724.938.4000 |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Red and Black |
| Nickname | Vulcans |
| Mascot | Blaze |
| Affiliations | NCAA D-II; PSAC |
| Website | www.cup.edu |
California University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Cal U) is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 7,000.
The main campus consists of 38 buildings situated on 90 acres (364,000 m²). An additional 98 acre (397,000 m²) recreation complex, George H. Roadman University Park, is located one mile from campus and includes a football stadium, various sports facilities, and picnic facilities. Cal U has satellite campuses in Canonsburg and in the Regional Enterprise Tower (Alcoa Building) in Pittsburgh.
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[edit] History
Cal U. traces its roots back to 1852, when the fledgling community of California spent tax dollars and donations to create an Academy for kindergarten through college-level courses. In 1864 it purchased 10 acres and moved to what is now the center of its present location, and a year later the school received a charter to be a normal school. In 1874, the institution was renamed SouthWestern Normal School and in 1914 Pennsylvania bought the school, renaming it the California State Normal School and converted it into a 2-year institute for training of elementary school teachers.
In 1928 the school moved back to a 4-year curriculum and was renamed the California State Teachers College. The programs offered were expanded over time, and by 1959 the school's name was condensed to California State College. In 1962 the school added a graduate program. The school became a part of State System of Higher Education on July 1, 1983, becoming California University of Pennsylvania.
[edit] Athletics
Cal U's nickname is the Vulcans, and its athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division II in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The school has been one of the more successful in the PSAC conference.
The university has won a three total national championships. In 2004, Cal U's Lady Vulcans basketball team won the NCAA Division II championship in St. Joseph, Missouri. Down by 2 points in the closing seconds, Megan Storck knocked down a deep three pointer to give Cal U its first women's national basketball title. The school's softball teams won back to back championships in 1997 and 1998, including a 50-win, 1-loss campaign during their first championship run.
California's soccer team made a Final Four appearance in 1993, while the men's baskeball team has had a pair of Final Four runs, in 1992 and 1996.
The Cal U football team, a recent success story plays its home games at Adamson Stadium. Baseball and softball teams play at the neighboring Vulcan Stadium, while the basketball program plays in Hamer Hall.
[edit] Facilities
California University has recently received massive state and private grants to rebuild the campus. In the next decade, the college expects to have every building replaced or remodeled. Since 2000, five new residence halls have been completed, each with private bathrooms, and a sixth is set to open for the 2007-08 school year. The all-new Eberly Hall, home of the technology department, and Duda World Cultures Hall, home of the history department, have recently be opened. Noss Hall, a nearly 100 year old building, has also been completely referbished. Steele Auditorium is currently undergoing a makeover in a huge construction project. Off campus, Cal U has apartment-like housing at the Jefferson Complex.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Del Beshore (b. 1956), NBA player (1978-1980)
- Allen Foster Cooper (1838-1918), Republican U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1903-1911)
- Bruce Dal Canton (b. 1942), MLB pitcher (1967-1977)
- Grant Furlong (1866-1973), Democratic U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1943-1945)
- Dale Hamer (b. 1938), NFL referee
- Rick Krivda (b. 1970) , MLB pitcher (1995-1998)
- Jim Lokay (b. 1980), KDKA traffic reporter
- Frank Mascara (b. 1930), Democratic U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1995-2003)
- Alan Natali (b. 1952), biographical author
- Terry O'Shea (b. 1966), NFL tight end (1989-1990)
- Bruce Foster Sterling (1870-1946), Republican U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1917-1919)
- Lieutenant General Paul K. Van Riper (b. 1938), retired officer of the United States Marine Corps
- Brian G. Sayre (b. 1962) Notable Delta Chi Fraternity member and Langhorne Borough Planning Comissioner
[edit] Trivia
- Students lovingly refer to California University as "Harvard on the Mon," referring to the location of the main campus on the banks of the Monongahela River.
- Cal U's living alumni base is over 43,000, with over 30,000 living in Pennsylvania[1].
- With its founding in 1852, Cal U. is America's oldest college or university bearing the name California. However, it did not contain "California" until 1914. By that time, San Jose State (1862), St. Mary's (1863), UC Berkeley (1868), USC (1880), UCLA (1882), Chico State (1887), Dominican University (1890), Cal Poly (1901), UC Riverside (1907), and California College of the Arts (1907) were among the schools already using the word California.
- From 1957-1960, the Pittsburgh Steelers held training camp at the college.
- In December 2005 Adrianne Wills was the undergraduate valedictorian. In Spring 2006, Colby Perrotta, son of Joseph "Joe" and Terry Perrotta and brother to Casey Perrotta was an undergraduate valedictorian. Eric Miller, son of William and Suzanne Miller and whose sibling, Will Miller is defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Greyhounds semi-pro football team, was also an undergraduate valedictorian in Spring 2006. Both of these valedictorians attended Ringgold High School and both reside in Donora, PA and work bingo at Carrol Township Fire Hall on Sundays. All of these students graduated with 4.0 GPA and QPA's.
[edit] External links
| Public universities in Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| State-related | Lincoln • Penn State • Pitt • Temple |
| State-funded | Bloomsburg • Cal U • Cheyney • Clarion • East Stroudsburg • Edinboro • IUP • Kutztown • Lock Haven • Mansfield • Millersville • Shippensburg • Slippery Rock • West Chester |
