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West Chester University#Campus

{{Short description|Public university in West Chester, Pennsylvania, US}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}

{{Infobox university

| name = West Chester University

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| image = West Chester University seal.gif

| image_upright = 0.7

| image_alt =

| caption =

| latin_name =

| other_name =

| former_names = West Chester Normal School (1871–1927)
West Chester State Teachers College (1927–1960)
West Chester State College (1960–1983)

| motto_lang =

| mottoeng =

| top_free_label =

| top_free =

| type = Public research university

| established = {{start date and age|1871|09|25}}

| closed =

| founder =

| parent = PASSHE

| accreditation =

| affiliation =

| religious_affiliation =

| academic_affiliation = {{hlist

|Space-grant

|Keystone Library Network

}}

| endowment = $47.2 million (2019){{cite report |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/west-chester-3328 |title=West Chester University of Pennsylvania |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |date=2019}}

| budget = $266.2 million (2019)

| officer_in_charge =

| chairman =

| chairperson =

| chancellor =

| president = R. Lorraine Bernotsky

| superintendent =

| vice_chancellor =

| provost = Jeffery L. Osgood, Jr.

| rector =

| principal =

| director =

| dean =

| head_label =

| head =

| academic_staff = 695 full-time; 298 part-time

| total_staff =

| students =

| undergrad = 14,392 (Fall 2022){{cite web |title=FACT BOOK 2022 |url=https://www.wcupa.edu/deputy-provost/institutionalResearch/documents/Factbook%202022.pdf |website=West Chester University |publisher=West Chester University |access-date=26 October 2024}}

| postgrad = 2,883

| doctoral =

| alumni =

| other_students =

| address =

| city = West Chester, West Goshen Township, East Bradford Township

| state = Pennsylvania

| province =

| country = United States

| zipcode = 19383

| coordinates = {{Coord|39.9522|N|75.6001|W|source:placeopedia_region:US-PA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}

| campus_type = College town

| campus_size = {{convert|388|acre|km2}}

| language =

| free_label =

| free =

| colors = Purple and Gold
{{color box|#45156B}} {{color box|#FDC423}}

| sports_nickname = Golden Rams

| sporting_affiliations = NCAA Division II – PSAC
ECAC

| mascot = Rammy

| sports_free_label =

| sports_free =

| website = {{url|www.wcupa.edu}}

| logo = West Chester University logo.png

| logo_size =

| logo_upright = 0.8

| logo_alt =

| footnotes =

| embedded = {{Designation list

|embed=yes

| designation1 = NRHP

| designation2 = hd

| designation2_offname = West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District

| designation2_type = NRHP Historic district

| designation2_criteria = Architecture

| designation2_date = October 8, 1981{{cite web|url=https://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/79002191|title=Asset Detail |website=focus.nps.gov|access-date=May 31, 2018}}

| delisted2_date =

| designation2_partof =

| designation2_number = 81000539

| designation3 = NHL

| designation4 = Pennsylvania

| designation4_offname = Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)

| designation4_type = Roadside

| designation4_criteria = Location of Frederick Douglass' final public lecture

| designation4_date = February 1, 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|title=PHMC Historical Markers Search|work=Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|publisher=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|format=Searchable database|access-date=January 25, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321233735/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|url-status=dead}}

| delisted4_date =

| designation4_partof =

| designation4_number =

}}

}}

West Chester University (also known as West Chester, WCU, or WCUPA, and officially as West Chester University of Pennsylvania) is a public research university in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania.[https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/residenceLife/mailservice.aspx "Mail service"], West Chester University official website, retrieved October 12, 2022 The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".{{Cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications {{!}} Standard Listings |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=216764 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu}} With 17,275 undergraduate and graduate students {{as of|2022|lc=y}}, WCU is the largest of the 10 state-owned universities belonging to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the sixth largest university in Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|title=Our Universities|url=https://www.passhe.edu/university/Pages/Our-Universities.aspx|access-date=2021-09-23|website=PA State System of Higher Education}}{{Cite web|title=Biggest Colleges in Pennsylvania|url=https://collegestats.org/colleges/pennsylvania/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=collegestats.org|language=en}} It also maintains a Center City Philadelphia satellite campus on Market Street.

History

File:OldMainEntryWCU.JPG

The university traces its roots to the West Chester Academy, a 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 or West Chester State Normal School, still privately owned and state certified. The normal school admitted its first class, consisting of 160 students, on September 25, 1871. In 1913, West Chester became 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 program of teacher education. In 1960, as the Commonwealth paved the way for liberal arts programs in its college system, West Chester was renamed West Chester State College, and two years later introduced the liberal arts program that turned the one-time academy into a comprehensive college.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu.nsp/parentHandbook/history.aspx|title=History of the University – West Chester University|website=www.wcupa.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-10-09}}

The campus quad located on North Campus appears on the National Register of Historic Places, and is called the West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District, featuring WCU's historic buildings. The buildings, with the exception of Anderson Hall and Philips Memorial Building (named after long-time principal George Morris Philips), were each built with local Chester County serpentine stone.{{Cite web |title=2023-2024 CATALOG - CAMPUS AND FACILITIES |url=https://catalog.wcupa.edu/general-information/university-information/campus-facilities/campus-facilities.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301190408/https://catalog.wcupa.edu/general-information/university-information/campus-facilities/campus-facilities.pdf |archive-date=2024-03-01 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=wcupa.edu}} They include Ruby Jones Hall, Recitation Hall and the Old Library.

With passage of the State System of Higher Education bill, West Chester became one of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on July 1, 1983. Along with its new name—West Chester University of Pennsylvania—the institution acquired a new system of governance and the opportunity to expand its degree programs.

West Chester is recognized for its formal poetry program. Its annual conference on form and narrative in poetry began in 1995 and is devoted to New Formalism. It has established a poetry center that sponsors readings and an annual book competition oriented toward formal poetry. Its Iris N. Spencer Poetry Awards recognize undergraduate achievement in formal poetry.{{Cite web |last=Timpane |first=John |date=2010-06-06 |title=Conference draws poets not for reading, but for crafting |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20100606_Conference_draws_poets_not_for_reading__but_for_crafting.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}

Nineteen days before his death, Frederick Douglass gave his last public lecture, on February 1, 1895, at West Chester University. The university's Frederick Douglass Institute is named in his honor, and a statue of Douglass appears on its campus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcupa.edu/communications/newsroom/2018/10.09FD.aspx|title=Legacy of Famed Abolitionist Frederick Douglass Will Live on at WCU Thanks to Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste|website=www.wcupa.edu|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://wcuquad.com/103691/news/wcu-erects-statue-to-honor-frederick-douglass/|title=WCU erects statue to honor Frederick Douglass|last=Cummings|first=Colleen|date=2013-10-14|website=The Quad|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}} It has been named a national historic landmark by the U.S. National Park Service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htm|title=Frederick Douglass|website=www.nps.gov|access-date=2022-10-12}} The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom recognized the Frederick Douglass Institute for its work in understanding the history of the underground railroad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/Fdouglass/railroad.aspx|title=Underground Railroad - West Chester University|website=www.wcupa.edu|access-date=2020-01-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/undergroundrailroad/upload/2018_NTF-Listings_Web.pdf|title=National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Listing|date=July 5, 2018|website=nps.gov}}

Academics

{{Infobox US university ranking

| Forbes = 307

| THE_WSJ =

| USNWR_REG = 50

}}

At the undergraduate level, the university offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Music degrees. Paraprofessional studies are available in law, medicine, and theology. In cooperation with the Pennsylvania State University, Columbia University, and Thomas Jefferson University, West Chester University offers a 3–2 dual-degree program combining liberal arts, physics, and engineering. Also available are early admission assurance programs with Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Temple University School of Medicine. The university provides special admission opportunities and scholarships to the Widener School of Law–Harrisburg Campus. At the graduate level, West Chester University offers master's (M.A., M.B.A., M.Ed., M.M., M.P.A., M.P.H., M.S., M.S.W., M.S.N., M.U.R.P.) and doctoral (DPA, DNP, Ed.D., Psy.D.) degrees.

West Chester was ranked 50th in the "Regional Universities North" category by U.S. News & World Report for 2020.

The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".{{Cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications {{!}} Standard Listings |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=216764 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu}}

=Off-campus programs=

WCU's International Programs office helps send students abroad.{{Cite web|url=http://wcupa.abroadoffice.net/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206201602/http://wcupa.abroadoffice.net/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-02-06|title=West Chester University of PA|date=2010-02-06|access-date=2020-01-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcupa.edu/international/studyAbroad.aspx|title=International Study Abroad - West Chester University|website=www.wcupa.edu|access-date=2020-01-30}} The university participates in the National Student Exchange Program, in which students spend up to a year at any one of more than 170 member schools across the United States. Transfer of credit is a part of this program.[http://www.wcupa.edu/registrar/nse.asp National Student Exchange – Office of the Registrar – West Chester University Relations]

Campus

The university's North Campus is partially in West Chester borough and partially in West Goshen Township."[https://www.wcupa.edu/campusmap/documents/WCUNorthCampusMap.pdf North Campus Map]." West Chester University. Retrieved on October 9, 2018. See: "[https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf West Chester Area Council of Governments Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122620/https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}." The South Campus is partially in West Goshen Township and partially in East Bradford Township. The campus is located in a suburban area approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}} from the city of Philadelphia. West Chester's downtown center is less than {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} away from the main campus.[https://www.wcupa.edu/campusmap/documents/WCUSouthCampusMap.pdf South Campus Map]." West Chester University. Retrieved on October 9, 2018. See: "[https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf West Chester Area Council of Governments Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122620/https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}."{{Cite web |title=Zoning Map |url=https://www.eastbradford.org/download/forms_and_docs/Maps-General/Zoning-Map.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008180151/https://www.eastbradford.org/download/forms_and_docs/Maps-General/Zoning-Map.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-08 |website=East Bradford Township, Pennsylvania}} The university also operates an urban satellite campus in Center City, Philadelphia.{{cite web |title=West Chester University |url=https://campusphilly.org/college-partners/west-chester-university/ |access-date=23 February 2022 |website=Campus Philly |ref=campusphilly}}

On campus, there is the Recreation Center, the Business and Public Management Center, The Dr. Sandra F. Prichard-Mather Planetarium, The Hollinger Field House, many buildings (built in the 1800s and early 1900s) in the West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District registered into the National Register of Historic Places, and the Sciences & Engineering Center that has been recently completed,{{When|date=September 2022}} just to name a few buildings. There are also many outdoor activity areas such as: basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and the nearly {{convert|100|acre|ha|adj=on}} Robert B. Gordon Natural Area for Environmental Studies.{{Cite web |title=Campus Map - West Chester University |url=https://www.wcupa.edu/campusmap/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=www.wcupa.edu}}

West Chester University has the second largest university geothermal system in the United States. The system drastically reduces carbon emissions on the campus.{{Cite web |title=Geothermal Heating - West Chester University |url=https://www.wcupa.edu/sciences-mathematics/anthropologySociology/museum/earthDayVirtualExhibition/geothermal.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302014140/https://www.wcupa.edu/sciences-mathematics/anthropologySociology/museum/earthDayVirtualExhibition/geothermal.aspx |archive-date=2022-03-02 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=www.wcupa.edu}}

File:Philips Hall WCU 1.JPG|Philips Memorial Building - View from inside the quad, looking north

File:Old Library, West Chester University, PA - front view.jpg|Old Library, West Chester

File:Recitation Hall, West Chester University, PA - front view.jpg|Recitation Hall

File:Model School WCU of PA.JPG|Ruby Jones Hall

File:Philips Memorial Building, West Chester University, PA - looking south.jpg|Philips Hall - View from outside the quad, looking south

File:Philips Hall WCU 3.JPG|Whispering archway

File:Anderson Hall, West Chester University, PA - front view.jpg|Anderson Hall

= Golden Rams Marching Band =

{{Main articles|West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band}}

Athletics

{{main|West Chester Golden Rams}}

The athletic teams at West Chester University are named the Golden Rams. Students participate in NCAA Division II athletics in the PSAC and the ECAC. West Chester University has won national championships in women's basketball, women's lacrosse, women's swimming (the team was the DGWS champion in 1972), women's field hockey (including four AIAW titles from 1975 to 1978), and men's soccer. West Chester won the first ever women's basketball national championship in 1969 and was on the losing end in the final game each of the following three years.[http://www.wcupagoldenrams.com/ West Chester University athletics] Retrieved on December 8, 2008

In 1961, the men's soccer team won the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Liz|title='61 soccer squad still a team|url=http://www.dailylocal.com/article/DL/20040829/SPORTS/308299994|access-date=7 September 2015|work=Daily Local News|publisher=Daily Local News|date=29 August 2015|ref=DLN61}} Jerry Yeagley was a player on WCU's championship team before going on to win six NCAA Championships and six National Coach of the Year Awards as the men's soccer coach at Indiana University. In addition, prior to the NCAA instituting a tournament format to decide the champion in 1959, the Golden Rams were voted the National Soccer Champions in 1950 by the Intercollegiate Soccer Football Association.{{cite web|title=1950 MEN'S SOCCER NCISC CHAMPIONS|url=http://www.usfdons.com/sports/2012/8/9/1950MSOCChamps.aspx?id=99|website=UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO ATHLETICS|access-date=7 September 2015}}

In 1977, 1979, and 1982 the boxing team won the National Collegiate Boxing Association national championship. In 1976, Edward Skalamera claimed the national title for his 147 lb. weight class while Joe Gery took the top position in the nation for his 180 lb. class.National Collegiate Boxing Association

In 2008, West Chester defeated C.W. Post College 13–12 to win the Division II women's lacrosse title. It was the second national title in the women's program history. WCUPA played in the NCAA tournament in 2010 (2nd place), 2011 (4th place), and 2012 (2nd place). The 2013 team was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Champions. Ginny Martino's winning percentage is 80% over the last 17 years as head coach (250–60).{{cite web|last1=Women’s Lacrosse|first1=NCAA|title=NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Coaching Records|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/LAX_Records/2015/Women's/Coaches.pdf|website=NCAA|access-date=2015-05-23}}

In 2012, the Men's Baseball Team claimed West Chester's first NCAA Division II College Baseball National Championship.{{cite news|last1=West Chester Athletics|title=West Chester earns first national title|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2012-06-02/west-chester-earns-first-national-title|access-date=7 September 2015|work=NCAA.com|agency=West Chester Athletics|publisher=NCAA|date=3 June 2012|ref=NCAA-wcu-baseball}} The Golden Rams shut-out Delta State 9–0 in Cary, North Carolina. West Chester becomes the first team from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to win the national championship and just the third northern school to walk away with the title.

West Chester's Women's Field Hockey team won the NCAA Division II championship in 2011, 2012, and 2019. The varsity Women's Rugby program also won the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) rugby national championship in 2019.

Campus Recreation: The Women's Ice Hockey Club won the Division II national championship in 2013.

The Men's Lacrosse Club won the Division II national championship in 2013 and 2015.

Notable alumni

{{alumni|date=April 2024}}

{{See also|Category:West Chester University alumni}}

File:Jill Biden portrait (cropped).jpg, First Lady of the United States (2020-2024) and Second Lady of the United States (2008-2016)]]

= Politics and government =

= Business and industry =

= Arts and entertainment =

File:Rodney-anonymous-by-kyle-cassidy.jpg of the Dead Milkmen]]

= Sports =

File:Geno_Auriemma_140507-D-HU462-423_(cropped).jpg with Team USA]]

  • Geno Auriemma (b. 1954) (B.A. 1981) {{mdash}} Basketball Hall of Famer and head women's basketball coach at the University of Connecticut{{Cite web|url=http://www.genoauriemmacamp.com/coach.html|title=Geno Auriemma biography: Geno Auriemma Camp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401231818/http://www.genoauriemmacamp.com/coach.html|archive-date=2009-04-01|access-date=2009-05-13}}
  • Max Barsky (b. 1991) {{mdash}} professional wrestler best known by his ring name David Starr
  • Dean Demopoulos (b. 1954) {{mdash}} collegiate and NBA basketball coach
  • Kevin Guskiewicz (b. 1966) {{mdash}} sports medicine researcher, as well as a Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC, and Interim Chancellor at UNC
  • Eddie Layton (1925–2004) {{mdash}} organist and New York Sports Hall of Fame member
  • Steve Maxwell (b. 1952) {{mdash}} named one of the top 100 trainers in the United States by Men's Journal
  • Pat Meiser {{mdash}} named one of the nation's top 50 women's sports executives by Sports Business Journal. Former Penn State head women's basketball coach and athletic director at University of Hartford
  • Ed T. Rush (b. 1942) {{mdash}} former NBA referee{{cite web|url=http://www.leading-edge-speaking.com/Speaker_Bios.htm|title=Ed T. Rush, Sr|work=Ed Rush & Associates|access-date=8 December 2012}}
  • Cathy Rush (b. 1947) (B.S. 1968, M.Ed. 1972) former Immaculata University head women's basketball coach{{cite web|url=http://www.cathyrush.com|title=Keynote Speaker Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Cathy Rush|publisher=Cathyrush.com|access-date=2012-09-30}}
  • Joe Senser (b. 1956) {{mdash}} former NFL football player
  • Ralph Tamm (b. 1966) {{mdash}} former NFL football player
  • Tony Thornton (1959–2009) professional boxer
  • Tank Toland (b. 1973) {{mdash}} professional wrestler
  • Marian Washington (b. 1946) {{mdash}} former women's basketball coach., inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Chuck Weber (1930–2017) {{mdash}} former NFL football player
  • Joey Wendle (b. 1990) {{mdash}} former MLB baseball player with various teams
  • Lee Woodall (b. 1969) {{mdash}} former NFL football player
  • Dean Wink (b. 1941) {{mdash}} former NFL football player
  • Jerry Yeagley (b. 1940; Class of 1960) {{mdash}} coached Indiana University to 6 NCAA Soccer Championships

= Others =

File:VADM Brian Peterman.jpg]]

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|title=Pre-NCAA Statistical Leaders and AIAW Results|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/w_final_four_records_book/2015/pre-ncaa.pdf|publisher=NCAA|access-date=3 May 2013}}

}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • {{Official website}}
  • [https://wcupagoldenrams.com/ Athletics website]

{{West Chester, Pennsylvania}}

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{{Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:West Chester University Of Pennsylvania}}

Category:Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1871

Category:West Chester, Pennsylvania

Category:West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania

Category:Universities and colleges in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Category:1871 establishments in Pennsylvania

Category:Public universities and colleges in Pennsylvania