Gannon University

Gannon University is a private, co-educational Catholic university offering associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, certificates and doctoral degrees and is located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Gannon University has an alumni base numbering around 31,500. Current enrollment is 4,238.

Gannon's academic programs are appropriately accredited. For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2010" has ranked Gannon as a Top Tier Master's University in the northern section of the United States. And, for the first time, Gannon was also ranked as a Top Up-and-Coming School. This is only the second year for this category, which is determined by a peer assessment survey of high-ranking college officials, and recognizes institutions "that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities." Only 9 institutions in the northern region were selected for this category.

Gannon's signature programs, Core of Discovery and Lifecore provide students with the foundation for experiencing both the academic and co-curricular experiences of a solid college education. The Core of Discovery is Gannon's liberal arts core curriculum that helps students understand humanity, social concepts and structures, their own ethics and values. Lifecore challenges a student's growth and development through participation of events and activities that encompass nine lifestyle dimensions.

A range of campus organizations and activities encourages academic interests, community service, and moral and spiritual growth. Gannon also provides students with a broad program in intramural and intercollegiate athletics, including 18 athletic programs for men and women at the NCAA Division II level.^[2]

History

Gannon University was established in 1925 as the two-year Cathedral College by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. In 1944, the school became the four-year men's school Gannon College of Arts and Sciences, named in honor of the then-Bishop of Erie, John Mark Gannon, the driving force behind its opening and development. The college became coeducational in 1964 and gained university status in 1979^[3][4]

The all-girls school Villa Maria College, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1925,^[5] merged with the university in 1989.^[6] Its Villa Maria School of Nursing retains the name of the original institution.

Academic programs

College of Engineering and Business

Dahlkemper School of Business Administration

Engineering and Computer Science

College of Engineering and Business Minors

Accounting
Advertising Communications
Business Administration
Computer Science
Economics
Human Resource Management
International Business
Management Information Science
Marketing
Process Management
Risk Management and Insurance

College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

School of Education

College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences Minors

Archaeology and Culture
Behavioral Specialist
Corrections
Criminal Justice
English
Fine Arts
Forensic Investigation
French
German
Gerontology
History
Juvenile Justice
Leadership Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Pre-Law
Psychology
Social Work
Spanish
Theatre
Women's Studies

Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Health Professions and Sciences

Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences Minors

Athletic Coaching
Biology
Earth Science
Exercise Science
Mathematics
Sport Behavior
Statistics^[2]

Campus

Gannon University's campus is located in downtown Erie, primarily concentrated between Peach and Myrtle Streets and 3rd and 10th Streets.

Administration

Gitnik Manse (Undergraduate Admissions, Center for Adult Learning)
Courthouse Commons (Graduate Admissions, International Admissions, Cashier's Office, Financial Aid Office, Registrar's Office, VP for Enrollment)
Old Main (Alumni Office, Office of the President)
Student Services Building (Office of Student Living)

Academic Buildings

Beyer Hall
Nash Library
Palumbo Academic Center
Robert H. Morosky Academic Center
Schuster Theatre (Scottino Hall)
Zurn Science Center

Athletic Facilities

Carneval Athletic Pavilion (Rec Center)
Gannon Field
Hammermill Center

Dining

Beyer Hall Dining
Doc's Landing (Waldron Campus Center)
InterMetzo Cafe (Palumbo Academic Center)
Knight's Cove (Waldron Campus Center)
Courtyard Cafe (Morosky Academic Center)

General Facilities

Athletic Office (Carneval Athletic Pavilion)
Bookstore (Palumbo Academic Center)
Campus Ministry Office (Waldron Campus Center)
Campus Police and Safety (Harborview Apartments)
Campus Services
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Palumbo Academic Center)
Center for Social Concerns (Waldron Campus Center)
Erie Technology Incubator
Gannon Knight Newspaper (Walker Building)
Honors Center (Palumbo Academic Center)
Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel
Physical Plant
Schuster Art Gallery (Nash Library)
Service Learning (Waldron Campus Center)
Small Business Development Center (Palumbo Academic Center)
Student Health Center & Counseling Services (Harborview Apartments)
Student Success Center (Palumbo Academic Center)
Waldron Campus Center
WERG-FM Radio Station (Walker Building)

Landmarks

AJ's Way
Friendship Green
Gannon Arch

Residence Halls

202,204, 210 W. 8th St.
301 W. 5th St.
Crispo Hall, 309 Sassafras St.
Finegan Hall, 120 W. 5th St.
Freeman Hall, 410 Sassafras St.
Harborview Apartments, 210 W. 6th St.
Kenilworth Apartments, 351/353 W. 6th St.
Lubiak Hall, 415/417 Sassafras St.
North Hall, 143 W. 4th St.
Walker Apartments, 701/703 Peach St.
Wehrle Hall, 211 W. 6th St.
West Hall, 612 Chestnut
Wickford Apartments, 258 W. 6th St. / 529 Myrtle St.

Former Residence Halls:
University Apartments (143 W. 4th St.): Demolished spring 2010 for construction of North Hall

Athletics

Gannon is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II. Gannon offers 18 Division II scholarship-granting varsity sports, that includes nine men's and women's teams. The men participate in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, water polo, and wrestling. The women participate in basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball and water polo.

In June 2007, Gannon University, along with cross-town rival Mercyhurst College, was accepted into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, where area schools Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are members. Along with Gannon and Mercyhurst, C.W. Post also was accepted into the conference.^[7]

Campus Transformation

Gannon University launched $25 million in building projects in 2007. The Erie Technology Incubator on West Eighth Street, which is expected to encourage business development and create up to 300 jobs within five years, was completed in 2008 at a cost of $5 million. The Zurn Science Center, which is 37 years old (circa 1971), will receive $18.5 million in renovations by 2010, including new classrooms and research facilities. $1.5 million will go for renovation of the facade of the Dahlkemper School of Business Administration. Funding for the projects includes grants, loans, and a fundraising campaign.^[8]

Gannon University opened a new academic building in the fall 2008 semester as well. The building is named the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center, after the Gannon alumnus who founded The Limited clothing stores. The building houses the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences. In 2009, the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center included a Patient Simulation Center, the only one of its kind in the region. A Pediatric Simulation Theater, part of the "Sim" Center allows students to practice procedures that deal with childbirth and infant trauma. These state-of-the-art facilities allow students studying multiple disciplines in the health professions to gain practical experience in a hospital-like setting before they graduate. The "Sim" Center comprises 12 different stations, with 14 different simulators.

Greek life

Fraternities:

• Alpha Phi Delta
• Delta Sigma Phi
• Delta Chi
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Tau Kappa Epsilon
• Zeta Beta Tau
• Alpha Kappa Psi

Sororities:

• Alpha Gamma Delta
• Alpha Sigma Alpha
• Alpha Sigma Tau
• Sigma Sigma Sigma
• Phi Sigma Sigma

Notable alumni

• Edward M. Gabriel, United States Ambassador to Morocco 1998-2001
• Thomas J. Gamble, President, Mercyhurst College, 2006–present
• Steve Grilli, former Major League Baseball player.
• John Hornaman, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2007–present
• John "Jonny-O" O'Ferrall, Philanthropist and President Emeritus, OferallAmerica Industries
• Vikram Pandit, CEO, Citigroup, 2007–present
• Brad Roae, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2007–present
• Joseph E. Sinnott, Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania 2006–present

References

External links

• Gannon University official website
• Gannon University Athletics official website
• Edge online magazine for prospective students