About California University of Pennsylvania
The university is in the Borough of California, a community of approximately 6,000 residents, located on the banks of the Monongahela River, about an hour’s drive south of Pittsburgh. It is accessible via Interstate 70, Exits 15 (PA 43), 16 (Speers), or 17 (PA 88, Charleroi) or via U.S. 40 (PA 43 or 88). The Mid-Mon Valley/ Fayette Expressway (PA 43) links California to the federal Interstate Highway system. The university is approximately 30 minutes from Exit 8 (New Stanton) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and an hour from Greater Pittsburgh International Airport.
The main campus consists of 38 buildings situated on 90 acres. An additional 98-acre recreation complex, George H. Roadman University Park, is located one mile from campus. This complex includes a football stadium, an all-weather track, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a softball diamond, soccer and rugby fields, a cross country course, areas for intramural sports, and picnic facilities.
Satellite facilities are located at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA and in the Regional Enterprise Tower in Pittsburgh, PA.
The geographic location of the university gives the resident student opportunities to explore and pursue a wide variety of activities.
Located on the Appalachian Plateau, an area of rolling hills, the university is a short drive from camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, white water rafting, and canoeing, and skiing activities in the Laurel Mountains.
In addition to cultural activities provided on campus, the student has easy access to the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, located only 30 miles from campus. This provides an opportunity to enjoy the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Ballet, the Civic Light Opera, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, various museums and all of the excitement and attractions of a metropolitan area.
The institution that is now California University of Pennsylvania began as an academy more than 150 years ago. It has evolved over the years until now it is a multi-purpose university. One of the fourteen state-owned institutions of higher education in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, it has the strength and stability of a university system, but it retains its own flavor and unique history.
(Additional information may be found in the book by Regis J. Serinko, California University of Pennsylvania: The People’s College in Monongahela Valley, published in 1992).
1852: A two-story Academy, offering education from kindergarten through college was established in the recently founded community of California. The institution was supported by local taxes and the donations of some residents of the community.
1864: A ten-acre plot for the Academy, still the center of the university, was purchased.
1865: The Academy obtained a charter as a Normal School for its district and became a teacher-preparatory institution.
1874: The institution was renamed the South-Western Normal School.
1914: The Commonwealth acquired the institution and renamed it the California State Normal School. The curriculum became exclusively a two-year preparatory course for elementary school teachers.
1928: The institution became California State Teachers College, returning to its previous status as a four-year-degree-granting institution, with increasing opportunities for liberal arts education. Under the presidency of Robert Steele (1928-1951), California began to concentrate on industrial arts and atypical education (what is now called special education) and otherwise expanded its curricula. The campus grew to 35 acres, and a number of new buildings were erected.
1959: During the presidency of Michael Duda (1956-68), liberal arts curricula were introduced, and the college became California State College. In 1962 a graduate program was introduced. The degrees of M.A. and M.S. were initiated in 1968. During Dr. Duda’s presidency, more than a dozen new buildings were completed, and the size of the student body and faculty increased more than four-fold.
1974: During the presidency of George H. Roadman (1969-1977), the college developed a special mission in Science and Technology, to complement its traditional roles in Liberal Arts and Education.
1983: On July 1, 1983, the college became a part of the State System of Higher Education and changed its name to California University of Pennsylvania. Under the leadership of President John P. Watkins (1977-1992), the College of Science and Technology became fully operational, offering programs in such varied areas as mathematics and computer science, industrial management, nursing, energy technology, robotics, and electrical engineering technology.
1992: Angelo Armenti Jr. appointed president of California University.
1996: College of Science and Technology renamed Eberly College of Science and Technology in honor of the Eberly Foundation for its philanthropic generosity.
1997: Cal U Southpointe Center in the Southpointe Technology Center in Canonsburg, PA, opened in January, offering a variety of courses and programs.
1998: The University formally adopts three core values: integrity, civility and responsibility.
1999: The new Eberly Science and Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility for the study of science and technology opened in Fall, 1999.