Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Established 1871
Type Public
Endowment US$27.9 million[1]
President Dr. William Ruud
Academic staff 302 full time
130 part time
Undergraduates 6,579 full-time
Postgraduates 1,074 full-time
Location Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Campus Rural, 200 acres (810,000 m²)
Nickname Raiders
Mascot "Big Red"
Affiliations NCAA D-II; PSAC
Website www.ship.edu

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles (64 km) west-southwest of Harrisburg. It is one of the 14 state universities that compose the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS).

Contents

History

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania was established in 1870, contrary to popular belief that the university was founded in 1871 which Shippensburg's main entrance gates even displays, as the Cumberland Valley State Normal School. The school received official approval by the state on February 21, 1873, and was admitted its first class of 217 students on April 15, 1873. In 1917 the school was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

On June 4, 1926, the school was authorized to grant the bachelor of science in education degree in elementary and junior high education. The school received a charter on October 12, 1926, making it the first normal school in Pennsylvania to become a state teachers college. On June 3, 1927, the State Council of Education authorized the school to change its name to the State Teachers College at Shippensburg.

The business education curriculum was approved on December 3, 1937. On December 8, 1939, Shippensburg State Teachers College became the first teachers college in Pennsylvania and the fourth in the United States to be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and (Secondary) Schools.

The State Council of Education approved graduate work leading to the master of education degree on January 7, 1959. On January 8, 1960, the name change to Shippensburg State College was authorized.

The arts and sciences curriculum was authorized by the State Council of Education on April 18, 1962, and the bachelor of science in business administration degree program was initiated on September 1, 1967.

On November 12, 1982, the governor of the Commonwealth signed Senate Bill 506 establishing the State System of Higher Education. Shippensburg State College was designated Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania effective July 1, 1983.

In 1985, many of the original historic buildings of the campus, including Old Main, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

Academics

Colleges

The Division of Extended Studies also offers a variety of courses, workshops, training sessions, continuing education, and credit and non-credit courses.

Rankings

The U.S. News & World Report again ranked Shippensburg University among the top public universities in the North in its book "America's Best Colleges 2009." In the annual rankings, Shippensburg is tied for 58th among all institutions in the North region. It was named one of the 100 best values among public colleges in "Kiplinger's Personal Finance". Ship was also included in the 2007 edition of The Princeton Review's "The Best Northeastern Colleges."

Library

The Ezra Lehman Memorial Library provides Web access to: its holdings, the holdings of the State Library and 24 other academic libraries, a variety of full text databases, electronic books, and Internet sites. The library collection includes over 2 million items, including bound volumes, micro-form pieces, periodicals, audiovisual titles, government documents, and University archives. The Information and Computing Technologies Center maintains a campus network with a number of computer labs for student use. Each student at SU receives an email account and access to the Internet. At the end of the 2009 school year, the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library first floor was completely renovated with new work stations, computers, and a new look.

Athletics

Shippensburg University is an NCAA Division II school and one of fourteen schools to compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The home venue of the university's football and track and field programs is Seth Grove Stadium. The school maintains intercollegiate programs for baseball, basketball (Men & Women), cross country (Men & Women), field hockey, football, lacrosse (Men & Women), soccer (Men & Women), softball, track & field (Men & Women), swimming (Men & Women), tennis (Women), volleyball (Women) and wrestling. Several club sports, such as rugby (Men & Women), Ultimate Frisbee and the inline hockey team, also participate in independent leagues. The women's rugby club won intercollegiate Division II national titles in 2008 and 2009. [3] The team name is the Red Raiders, although there was a rumor they were going to change it due to a new NCAA policy. The team colors are blue and red. The mascot is "Big Red," a red-tail hawk wearing a pirates hat. Shippensburg University has won several regional athletic championships. The Dixon trophy is awarded to the top athletic program in the 16 university Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Shippensburg has won the trophy seven times, the most by any PSAC member. Their titles came in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011. mos[4]

Notable alumni

Athletics

Government

Entertainment

Military

Literature

Business/Education

References

External links