From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania about 25 miles (40 km) miles west of Philadelphia. It is
one of the 14 state universities of the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education (PASSHE).[2] West Chester
was ranked 69th in the Master’s Universities (North) cat-
egory by U.S. News & World Report for 2009.[3] The school
is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools (MSACS).[4]
History
Established 1871
Type Public
Endowment US $12.3 million[1]
President Greg R. Weisenstein
Academic staff 800
Undergraduates 12,800 full-time
Postgraduates 2,150
Location West Chester, PA, USA
39°57′08″N 75°36′00″W / 39.95219°N
75.60010°W / 39.95219;
-75.60010Coordinates: 39°57′08″N
75°36′00″W / 39.95219°N 75.60010°W /
39.95219; -75.60010
Campus Suburban, 388 acres (1.57 km2)
Colors Purple and Gold
Mascot Golden Rams
Website http://www.wcupa.edu/
Old Main Building, reconstructed on High Street opening onto
the Quadrangle
The university traces its roots to the private, state-aided
school that existed from 1812 to 1869. As the state began
to take increasing responsibility for public education, the
academy was transformed into West Chester Normal
School,
School still privately owned and state certified. The nor-
mal school admitted its first class, consisting of 160 stu-
dents, on September 25, 1871. In 1913, West Chester be-
came the first of the normal schools to be owned outright
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
West Chester became West Chester State Teachers
College in 1927 when Pennsylvania initiated a four-year
WCUPA)
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA is a program of teacher education. In 1960, as the Common-
public university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, wealth paved the way for liberal arts programs in its col-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West Chester University of Pennsylvania
lege system, West Chester was renamed West Chester al, instrumental, keyboard, music education, and vocal)
College,
State College and two years later introduced the liberal degrees are also offered.
arts program that turned the one-time academy into a The Bachelor of Science in Education degree is of-
comprehensive college. fered in biology, chemistry, citizenship education, com-
In 1981 the West Chester State College Quadrangle munication, early childhood education, earth-space sci-
Historic District was placed on the National Register of ence–astronomy, earth-space science–geology, elemen-
Historic Places. The buildings included in this historic tary education, English, French, German, mathematics,
district are Philips Memorial Building, Ruby Jones Hall, physics, Russian, social studies, Spanish and special edu-
Recitation Hall and the Old Library. Except for Philips, cation.
these buildings are all constructed of native Chester Paraprofessional studies are available in law, medi-
County serpentine stone. cine, and theology. In cooperation with the Pennsylva-
With passage of the State System of Higher Education nia State University, West Chester University offers a 3-2
bill, West Chester became one of the 14 universities in the dual-degree program combining liberal arts, physics, and
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on July 1, engineering. Also available are early admission assurance
1983. Along with its new name— West Chester University programs with Drexel School of Medicine, Pennsylvania
of Pennsylvania—the institution acquired a new system State University College of Medicine, Philadelphia Col-
of governance and the opportunity to expand its degree lege of Osteopathic Medicine and Temple University
programs. School of Medicine. The university provides special ad-
West Chester has received growing recognition as the mission opportunities and scholarships to the Widener
nation’s center for formal poetry. Its annual conference School of Law–Harrisburg Campus.
on form and narrative in poetry began in 1995 and is now Certification programs are available in health and
the nation’s only conference devoted to New Formalism. physical education teacher certification, driver educa-
It has established a poetry center that sponsors readings tion and safe living, and outdoor recreation.
and an annual book competition oriented toward formal Interdisciplinary areas of study with transcript
poetry. It has also established Iris Spencer awards recog- recognition include American studies, ethnic studies,
nizing undergraduate achievement in formal poetry. Latin American studies, Russian studies, peace and con-
flict studies, women’s studies, and linguistics.
Programs of Study West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers grad-
uate study leading to the M.A., M.B.A., M.Ed., M.M.,
The Bachelor of Arts is offered in American studies, an- M.P.H., M.S., M.S.W., M.S.N., and M.S.A. degrees. The
thropology, art, biology, communication studies, com- Master of Arts is offered in communication studies, com-
municative disorders, comparative literature, English, municative disorders, English, French, geography, histo-
French, geography, German, history, liberal studies, lit- ry, Holocaust and genocide studies, mathematics, mu-
erature, philosophy, philosophy–religious studies, politi- sic history, philosophy, physical sciences (earth science),
cal science, political science–international relations, po- psychology (general, clinical, and industrial/organiza-
litical science–applied public policy, psychology, Russian, tional psychology), Spanish and teaching English as a sec-
social work, sociology, Spanish, theater arts and women’s ond language. The Master of Business Administration is
studies. awarded in four concentrations: economics/finance,
The Bachelor of Science is offered in accounting, ath- general business administration, management, and tech-
letic training, biochemistry, biology, biology–cell and nology and electronic commerce. The Master of Educa-
molecular biology, biology-ecology, biology–medical tion and/or certification is available in early childhood
technology, biology-microbiology, chemistry, chem- education, elementary and secondary school counseling,
istry–biology (premedical), computer and information elementary education, French, German, history, Latin,
sciences, criminal justice, economics, finance, forensic reading, school health, secondary education, Spanish and
chemistry, geoscience–earth systems, geosci- special education. The Master of Music is offered in music
ence–environmental geosciences, geoscience–geology, education, music theory or composition and perfor-
health and physical education, health science–general, mance. The Master of Science is offered in biology, com-
health science–respiratory care, liberal studies–science puter science, criminal justice, educational research, en-
and mathematics, liberal studies–professional studies, vironmental health, higher education counseling and
prebusiness-economics, prebusiness-finance, physical education. The Master of Science in Administra-
prebusiness-management, prebusiness-marketing, phar- tion is awarded in eight concentrations: health services,
maceutical product development, physics, physics-engi- human resource management, leadership for women,
neering, public health–environmental, public long-term care, public administration, sport and athletic
health–health promotion and public health–nutrition. administration, training and development, and urban
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of and regional planning. West Chester University also of-
Fine Arts (studio arts), and the Bachelor of Music (gener- fers the Master of Public Health, the Master of Social
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Work, the Master of Science in Nursing, and the Master
of Science in applied statistics degrees. Certificate pro-
Pennsylvania Space Grant Con-
grams are offered in administration, computer science, sortium
geography, gerontology, Holocaust and genocide studies,
integrative health, leadership for women, literacy, music,
teaching English as a second language, and teaching and
learning with technology.
• • Institute for Women**
The Institute for Women is an independent body de-
signed to represent the interests of women on the cam-
pus. It serves as the parent organization for the Women’s
Center, the Women’s Studies Program, and the Title IX
and Sex Discrimination Board. The institute is headed by
a director and a board of directors.
The institute sponsors a number of activities to en-
hance the self-esteem and career success of women at
the university: the Woman-in-Residence Program, Grace
Cochran Research on Women Award, Visiting Professor
Program, Graduate Grant and Endowed Book Funds. The
institute prepares periodic reports on the status of
women at the University and has also secured Charlotte
W. Newcombe Scholarship Grants for mature or second-
career women. The Institute for Women is located in 211 West Chester University surrounded by the rest of West Ches-
Main Hall. ter, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium supports West
The Frederick Douglass Society Chester University by providing a grant for the Summer
The Frederick Douglass Society of West Chester Univer- Space Program and through the support of two academic
sity is the organization of African-American faculty and scholarships for West Chester University students en-
staff at West Chester. Named in 1983 for Frederick Dou- rolled in Mathematics and Science degree programs.
glass, the 19th century abolitionist, the organization is Each academic year, applications from qualified students
oriented toward self-help and improvement. The society for the these scholarships are reviewed by a committee
annually raises money for scholarship funds in order to of three faculty members (Geography/Planning, Mathe-
increase the economic options available to the student matics, Geology/Astronomy departments).
body in general and to African Americans and other eth-
nic groups in particular. It also seeks to promote an in-
tellectual standard that is rooted in the public mission of
Marching band
higher education.
Frederick Douglass gave his last public speech at West
Chester University.
Off-campus programs
West Chester University opened an International Pro-
grams office to aide in sending students abroad.[5]
West Chester sponsors a number of annual courses,
which include study abroad during spring, summer, and The West Chester University Golden Rams Marching
winter breaks.[citation needed] Band, which has over 300 members, performs pre-game,
West Chester University participates in the National halftime, or post-game at all home and select away WCU
Student Exchange Program, in which students spend up football games in Pennsylvania and in Delaware. The
to a year at any one of more than 170 member schools band performs in parades and high school marching
across the United States. Transfer of credit is a part of band competitions. The Golden Rams have performed in
this program.[6] the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia
Thanksgiving Day parade, Philadelphia Eagles games, and
the annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allen-
town, Pennsylvania.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West Chester University of Pennsylvania
The marching band attended the 2009 Bands of Amer- 1994, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008), has appeared in the NCAA
ica Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, an Division II playoffs 9 times (5-9 record) (1988, 1989, 1992,
honor given to only two college bands in the United 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), and was the ECAC
States each year (the other being the University of Michi- team of the year in 2006 and 2007.
gan). In 2008, West Chester defeated C.W. Post College
13-12 to win the Division II women’s lacrosse title. It was
Athletics the second national title in the women’s program histo-
ry.
Main article: West Chester Golden Rams West Chester is also noted for having a women’s var-
sity rugby program.
Notable alumni
• Chris Asplen (B.A. 1986) - DNA policy expert
• Geno Auriemma (B.A. 1981) - University of
Connecticut head women’s basketball coach[9]
• Timothy Ferkler -(B.A. 1986) Quarterback of 1984
National Championship team
• Jill Biden (M.Ed. 1981) - American educator and
Second Lady of the United States
• Rachel Marie Brooks (B.S. 2004) - Miss Pennsylvania
2007[10]
• Howard Dodson - long-time director of the
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in
Harlem.
• Melissa Dunphy - classical composer.
• John Edelman - Former MLB pitcher
West Chester University athletic logo • Thomas Hannum - Interim band director for the
University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching
The athletic teams at West Chester University of Penn- Band
sylvania are named the Golden Rams. Students partici- • Larry Mendte (1979) - former Philadelphia news
pate in NCAA Division II athletics in the PSAC and the anchor
ECAC. West Chester University has won national cham- • George N. Parks - the director of the University of
pionships in women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band the
women’s swimming (the team was the DGWS champion University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1977 until
in 1972), women’s field hockey (including four AIAW ti- his sudden death in 2010. Considered a national
tles from 1975–78), and men’s soccer. West Chester won authority on drum majoring, he led the George N.
the first ever women’s basketball national championship Parks Drum Major Academy, a summer workshop
in 1969 and was on the losing end in the final game each program for high school drum majors.
of the following three years.[7] • Asher Roth - Rapper, known for the song "I Love
In 1961, the men’s soccer team won the NCAA Cham- College"
pionship. Jerry Yeagley was a player on West Chester’s • Cathy Rush (B.S. 1968, M.Ed. 1972) - Former
championship team before going on to win six NCAA Immaculata University head women’s basketball
Championships and six National Coach of the Year coach[11]
Awards as the men’s soccer coach at Indiana University. • Ed T. Rush (1964) - Former NBA referee
In addition, prior to the NCAA instituting a tournament • Joe Senser (1979) - Former NFL tight end, Minnesota
format to decide the champion in 1959, the Golden Rams Vikings
were voted the National Soccer Champions in 1950 by the • Ralph Tamm (B.S. 1988) - Former NFL offensive
Intercollegiate Soccer Football Association. guard
In 1977, 1979, and 1982 the boxing team won the Na- • Marian Washington (1970) - Former University of
tional Collegiate Boxing Association national champion- Kansas head women’s basketball coach[12]
ship.[8] • Lee Woodall (1993) - Former NFL linebacker, San
West Chester University’s football program has won Francisco 49ers
20 PSAC East championships (1960, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, • Tom Wright - Television and theater actor
1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, • Jerry Yeagley (1961) - Coached Indiana University to
5 NCAA Soccer Championships
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West Chester University of Pennsylvania
• Dick Yoder - Former mayor of borough of West [3] USNews.com: America’s Best Colleges 2009:
Chester, Pennsylvania Master’s Universities (North) Rankings
• Donald Yetter Gardner - songwriter of "All I Want for [4] Institution Directory. msche.org. Retrieved 24 April
Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" 2010.
• Wayne Curtis Weldon - Former Congressman of the [5] International Programs
7th district in southeastern Pennsylvania. [6] National Student Exchange - Office of the Registrar
• Pat Kelly - Major League Baseball Player - First - West Chester University Relations
Baseman for the New York Yankees [7] West Chester University athletics Retrieved on
• Josh Maxwell- Downingtown’s Youngest Ever Mayor December 8, 2008
[8] "National Collegiate Boxing Association".
References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
National_Collegiate_Boxing_Association. Retrieved
[1] As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions 2009-08-29.
Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market [9] Geno Auriemma biography: Geno Auriemma Camp
Value and Percentage Change in Endowment [10] http://rachelmariebrooks.com/default.aspx
Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 [11] http://www.cathyrush.com
NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National [12] http://www.hitrunscore.com/marian-washington-
Association of College and University Business biography.html
Officers. http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/
research/
2009_NCSE_Public_Tables_Endowment_Market_Values.pdf.
External links
Retrieved February 5, 2010. • West Chester University of Pennsylvania
[2] PASSHE Universities. passhe.edu. Retrieved 24 • West Chester University online community
April 2010. • Golden Rams Marching Band
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/in-
dex.php?title=West_Chester_University_of_Pennsylvania&oldid=469798857"
Categories:
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• American Association of State Colleges and Universities
• Universities and colleges in Pennsylvania
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania
• Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union
• Educational institutions established in 1871
• Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
• West Chester, Pennsylvania
• Universities and colleges in Chester County, Pennsylvania
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