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| Motto | Integrity, Civility, Responsibility. |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1852 |
| President | Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. |
| Academic staff | 244 |
| Undergraduates | 6,299 |
| Postgraduates | 1,429 |
| Doctoral students | N/A |
| Address | 250 University Ave. California, PA 15419, California, PA, United States |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Red and Black |
| Nickname | Vulcans |
| Affiliations | NCAA D-II; PSAC |
| Mascot | Blaze |
| 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 8,500.
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 (1.6 km) 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 in Downtown Pittsburgh.
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 (40,000 m) 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.
Facilities
California University has recently received massive state and private grants to rebuild the campus. Since 2000, six new residence halls have been completed, each with private bathrooms. A 5 minute drive from campus, Cal U has apartment-like housing at the Vulcan Village Apartment complex. All student housing has been made possible through the generosity and dedication of the Student Association, Inc. to the Students of California.
The Eberly Science and Technology Center opened in 1999, while the new Duda Hall (which replaced the original Duda World Cultures Building) opened in 2007. Steele Auditorium is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion project and is slated to open Fall 2007.
The Elmo Natali Student Center, operated by the Student Association, Inc., is the main hub of student activities on campus. The student center hosts the student services offices, commuter center, theater, performance center, campus bookstore, the school's TV and Radio stations, CUTV and WCAL, as well as four distinctive dining areas.
On September 1st, 2007, "Booming Out: Mohawk Ironworkers Build New York," an exhibit created by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, came to California University of Pennsylvania providing a unique educational and cultural experience for students and residents.
As part of the Outreach Mission the university has become a participant of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) program, a part of the Smithsonian that allows exhibits to travel to various locations across the United States. Cal U is the only school in the Pennsylvania State System for Higher Education to welcome a SITES exhibit to campus. Through outreach programs this provides unique educational experiences and opportunities for personal enrichment and professional development for area students and residents of all ages.
Athletics
Main Article California Vulcans
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.
The university has won a total of four national championships. In 2004, sophomore guard Megan Storck knocked down a deep three-pointer in the final minute of play, breaking open a tie ballgame to give Cal U its first women's national basketball title. Cal U's softball program won back to back championships in 1997 and 1998, including a 50-1 campaign during its first championship run. In 2008, the men's club ice hockey team captured an ACHA Division III national championship over San Diego State in a 7-3 finale capping off a 30-1 season record.
The Vulcans have also had success in women's volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball, women's tennis and baseball, each advancing to the NCAA Tournament this decade. The men's basketball team has had a pair of runs to the NCAA Division II Final Four (1992 and 1996). The volleyball program went to the Final Four in 2000 and the Sweet 16 twice (2004 and 2006). The women's tennis team advanced to the Division II Elite Eight in 2006.
The Cal U football team has won three straight PSAC championships for the first time in team history in 2005, 2006, and 2007. During the last two years, Vulcan teams have won five PSAC titles, finished second five other times, and have had dozens of student-athletes earn a variety of regional and national athletic and academic awards. The Vulcans football team ended the 2007 season ranked #4 in the NCAA Division II, won the PSAC Championship, and advanced to the National Semifinal game where they lost to Valdosta State (Georgia). The Vulcans captured their first NCAA Atlantic Region title December 1, 2007, when they defeated Shepard University.
Vulcan athletes also demonstrate academic accomplishments. More than half of Cal U's 18 varsity athletic teams posted grade point averages above 3.00 during the 2006-07 academic year, and 74% of the nearly 400 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll (3.00 GPA or better), including 36 with perfect 4.00 GPAs during at least one semester.
California University of Pennsylvania also manages several athletic facilities. Hamer Hall is the home of Cal U's indoor teams, including volleyball, basketball and swimming, as well as excellent athletic training and weight-training facilities, locker rooms, athletic offices and classrooms. The football and track & field teams call Hepner-Bailey Field at Adamson Stadium, located a mile south of the main campus, home. The cross country, softball, soccer and tennis teams compete in the adjacent Roadman Park complex. CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa., hosts Cal U's home baseball games annually. The golf teams, added to the lineup of varsity sports in 2005, play at nearby Cedarbrook Golf Course.
Notable alumni
- Nicholas Addlery (b. 1981) Major League Soccer player, Vancouver Whitecaps
- Del Beshore (b. 1956), NBA player (1978-1980)
- Mary Beth Buchanan (b. 1968), Pennsylvania District Attorney
- Thomas Crumrine, President of Nationwide Insurance (1999-2002)
- Allen Foster Cooper (1838-1918), Republican U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1903-1911)
- Bruce Dal Canton (1942-2008), MLB pitcher (1967-1977)
- Grant Furlong (1886-1973), Democratic U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1943-1945)
- Dale Hamer (b. 1938), former NFL referee
- Garrett Kelleher(b. 1961) Founder of Shelbourne Development, a Dublin development and real estate firm and is the owner of the Irish football club St Patrick's Athletic FC.
- Perry Kemp (b.1961) Wide receiver for Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers, 1983 ECAC Player of the year
- Rick Krivda (b. 1970) , MLB pitcher (1995-1998)
- Frank Mascara (b. 1930), Democratic U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1995-2003)
- Bruce Foster Sterling (1870-1946), Republican U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1917-1919)
- Terry O'Shea (b. 1966), NFL tight end (1989-1990)
- Megan Timpf (b. 1984) , Team Canada softball, 2008 Summer Olympics
- Paul K. Van Riper (b. 1938), retired Lieutenant General of the United States Marine Corps
- Jeff Volek, Povertyneck Hillbillies
Trivia
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (December 2008) |
- Cal U's living alumni base is over 43,000, with over 30,000 living in Pennsylvania.
- 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.
- From 1945-1949, football players recruited to play for Penn State actually matriculated into California State Teacher's College(CUP)for their first year due to a shortage of dormitory space following World War II.
References
- http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OSheTe20.htm
- http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=494/bio/
- Prato, L. and Brown, S. (2006). "What it means to be a Nittany Lion", Chicago: Triumph Books.
1. California University of Pennsylvania Website
2. The Student Association Website
3. California University of PA Global Online
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