Penn State Beaver

Penn State Beaver
Established	1965
Type	Public
Chancellor	Dr. Gary B. Keefer
President	Rodney Erickson
Academic staff	200+ full-time and part-time
Students	1000+
Location	Center Township, PA, USA
Colors	Navy Blue and White
Mascot	Nittany Lion
Affiliations	Penn State University
Website	www.br.psu.edu

Penn State Beaver is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Monaca, PA in Center Township, PA

Campus History

The land where the campus now exists was once a farm owned by the Hartenbach family. The family home still stands today and faces Brodhead Road. The farm’s barn once stood where the Brodhead Cultural Center’s amphitheater now stands. The main part of the campus’s grounds has served multiple purposes throughout the years. One of its main functions was as the Beaver County Tuberculosis Sanitorium, which opened on February 14, 1923. The building, which later served as the Penn State Beaver administration building from 1965 until 2004 when the Ross Administration Building was opened, held 20 beds and its primary physicians were Drs Fred and Ruth Wilson.

As tuberculosis cases began to decline in the Beaver County area the sanitorium was closed in the early 1950s. For a short time after this, the building was used as an annex for the Beaver County Geriatric Hospital before it was moved to its new location on Dutch Ridge Road in 1963. It was also around this time that that Hartenbach farm was sold to Pennsylvania State University with a contingent that Ralph Hartenbach and his wife could live in their house until their deaths.

The Beaver County Commissioners donated the old sanitorium and the land around it to Penn State. In the fall of 1965, Penn State Beaver admitted 97 students for its first semester. Each student paid $525 for two semesters.

Degree programs

Penn State Beaver offers the first two years of almost all of Penn State's more than 160 baccalaureate majors. Students can also complete six bachelor's degrees, four associate degrees, and a master's of education degree at Beaver campus.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Business

The business degree is a four-year, professionally oriented program for students who want to become flexible business professionals equipped to adapt to an ever-changing work place.

Communications

Students who want to combine strong written and verbal communication skills with converging technologies will enjoy being on the cutting edge of the communications field as it adapts to meet the world’s ever-changing needs.

Information Sciences and Technology

There is a difference between Computer Science and Information Sciences and Technology (IST). IST bridges the gap between creators and users of IT. While the primary focus is on computers, IST also uses business and communications skills when solving problems.

Letters Arts and Sciences (LAS)

The bachelor’s degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences is unique because you design your own program around a particular theme. With a variety of classes from which to choose, you can tailor your degree program to fit your interests.

Administration of Justice

In the field, the decisions a person makes have profound impact on people's lives. The Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice prepares students for entry-level positions in justice agencies and also gives the student a background in research that prepares them for graduate school to further their education in the field.

Psychology

At Penn State Beaver both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree are available. Both degrees offer a general knowledge of the field while preparing the student for a future career or for graduate school.

Bachelors of Science: this degree has two options, science or business depending on the student’s career goals. The science option focuses on course in biology, bio-behavioral health, chemistry, and anthropology. The business option focuses on business related courses and prepares the students for careers in the industrial and organizational psychology.

Bachelors of Arts: prepares you for a future career in psychology with a broad basis of knowledge in the subject. Language and Liberal arts skills are also a part of the degree program.

Associate's Degree Programs

Letters Arts and Sciences

The objectives of the Associate Degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences (2LAS) are to broaden the student's understanding, interest, and skills; help the student become a more responsible, productive member of the community, and offer a degree program with sufficient electives to permit some specialization according to the student's interests or career plans.

Business Administration

The Associate Degree in Business Administration (2BA) is a two-year degree program that prepares students for a professional career in today's constantly changing business environment.

Science

The Associate Degree in Science is designed to provide the basic educational needs of students who wish to pursue professional programs in various medical related fields. The program provides a fundamental group of science courses of value to those who seek positions in government or industry where such knowledge is necessary or desirable.

Information Sciences and Technology

The Associate of Science in Information Sciences and Technology (2IST) degree is a two-year program developed in close collaboration with industry leaders. The program gives students a solid foundation of information systems and technical material as well as the knowledge and skills needed to integrate them into today's global economy.

Minors

Business

This interdisciplinary minor provides students with a business-oriented supplement to their academic major. It is designed to introduce students to a variety of fundamental business skills and knowledge.

Civic and Community Engagement

The Civic and Community Engagement Minor consists of a balanced program of fieldwork experience and supporting coursework that is selected with the advice and consent of a minor advisor and approved on behalf of the minor by a program faculty.

Information Sciences and Technology

The Information Sciences and Technology (IST) Minor provides a program for Liberal Arts and Engineering students to study Information Technology, an important aspect of any career. This program builds an understanding of core information technologies and related areas of study, preparing students for the practical application of technology in the workplace.

Psychology

The Psychology Minor is designed to provide undergraduate students with a broad overview of topics and domains within psychology, knowledge and skills related to research methods in psychology, and deeper knowledge of research, theory, and application in one or two specific content domains.

Security and Risk Analysis

The students will learn about different threats to businesses, how to evaluate risks involved in use of information systems and how to secure the network and digitized information.

Change of Campus

Depending on your major, after your first two years at Penn State Beaver, you will need to transfer to a different Penn State location to complete your degree. This is called the 2+2 program. Also, because Penn state is one university with many locations, moving to a different campus is easy.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to Penn State Beaver Students both through the university and through the campus. A full list of Penn State Beaver scholarships is available on the Penn State Beaver website.

International Programs

In addition to the University’s many study abroad programs that have recently sent Beaver students to England, Ireland and Korea for their study abroad experiences, Penn State Beaver has a few abroad experiences of its own. Spring break trips are taken annually and past destinations have included Spain, Turkey, Greece, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Campus Buildings

Library (LIB)

Opened in 1968, the library was a part of the first campus building project after Penn state Beaver opened in 1965. The building now houses over 40,000 books and students are able to also check out DVDs and CDs. The Library Information Access System (LIAS) and CAT (Penn State’s card catalogue system) can also be accessed from the computers located in the building as well as from any computer with internet access. Through these systems, students can access any book in the Penn State Library system as well as books from other colleges and universities. Located in the downstairs of the building is a classroom and study.

Michael Baker Jr. Science and Engineering Building (MBB)

Also, opened in 1968 this building was formally called the Science and Engineering Building but was later renamed after Baker’s Death. Baker was the founder of the Michael Baker Corporation. Baker had played a key role in bring Penn State to Beaver County and was a Penn State Alumnus. Both the main IST and Engineering labs are housed in this building. The IST lab was developed with a $125,000 grant from the Beaver County Commissioners. In the downstairs of the building is the Digital Commons, a multimedia studio open to students staff and faculty.

General Classroom Building (GCB)

The third of the buildings opened in 1968, the GCB features two auditorium classrooms as well as other additional classrooms that serve a variety of classes.

Harmony Hall

Completed in the late 1960s, the building is still home to campus residents. Each dorm features a micro fridge and internet access. A game room and Laundry room are available in the basement of the building.

Brodhead Bistro

Open during the fall and spring semesters, the Brodhead Bistro offers a variety of food choices to students on campus.

Student Union (SUB)

The first part of the building was completed in 1970. In 1994, the building was expanded. It now includes the auditorium as well as the campus Admissions Office, Student Affairs, The Student Activity Suite, Housing and Food Services, Special Events room, the campus bookstore, and Career Services. The Student Union Lodge, WBVR radio station and the game room are also located in this building. Conference rooms are located in the downstairs of the building for both university and outside use.

Gym

Also built in 1970, the campus gym will soon see the addition of a two million dollar Wellness Center.

Ross Administration Building (RAB)

The administration building replaced the old sanitorium that was located in the center of campus. This building houses academic affairs, the chancellor’s office, the business and finance office, the division of undergraduate studies, the health center, the Center for Academic Achievement and most professors’ offices.

Living on Campus

Resident Coordinators

The associate director of student affairs and the coordinators of residence life are immediately responsible for the residence hall living program. With the assistance of the resident assistants (RAs), these University employees advise and assist residents of Harmony Hall in matters pertaining to residential living and general campus student life.

Resident Assistants (RAs)

RAs are students assigned to each floor or building section of the residence hall. Their initial responsibility is to assist the individual student in his/her adjustment to campus life while cultivating an atmosphere of student responsibility essential to a group-living environment. Along with the coordinators, the RAs explain University regulations, policies, and their rationale to the students. They also monitor student conduct in the residence area and establish conditions conducive to study. Each year, 4 to 6 current students are selected to become Resident Assistants.

Commuting

Approximately 65% of Penn State Beaver student commute to campus. Parking lots are located throughout campus and parking is free for all Penn State Beaver students, however a parking pass is required. The pass can be acquired at the beginning of the semester at the Business and Finance office located in the Ross Administration Building.

Athletics

Varsity Sports

Penn State Beaver currently offers seven varsity sports teams for student to play on. The Women’s Basketball team has won three out of the last four Penn State University Athletic Conferences championships (PSUAC) and the Men’s basketball team has won three consecutive PSUACs. In addition to belonging to the PSUACs, Penn State Beaver athletics is also a part of USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association).

Intramural Sports

For students interested in playing a sport but not wanting to join a varsity team, various intramural leagues and activities are held throughout the academic year. Some of these intramural sports include arena football, dodgeball, softball, billiards, basketball, bowling, Texas Hold ‘em, and indoor soccer.

Student Life

Clubs

Alpha Phi Omega Petitioning Group

Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a national, co-ed service fraternity with more than 17,000 male and female student members at 366 college campuses nationwide.

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

A part-time staff member from Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BB/BS) assists campus students, a.k.a. "Bigs," in partnering with "Littles" from the community. This program offers a wonderful way for students to mentor children, ages 6 to 14, as well as give their time and talent to the community. Students assist children by helping them study, playing board games, shooting pool, attending campus athletic events, or just talking with them one-on-one.

Business Club

The mission of the Business Club is to provide real-world business experience and opportunities for its members. Students will be able to take the knowledge, concepts, and ideas they learn in the classroom and see how they're applied in the actual world of business.

Campus Crusade for Christ (cru)

This group aims to provide an understanding of Biblical Christianity while providing support, encouragement, and the means to develop a closer relationship with God. Students have the opportunity to meet and reach out to others through their actions, hospitality, and events.

Game Room Club

The Game Room Club is for students who simply want to have fun and engage in a wide variety of events that could include, but aren't limited to, random days designated for certain activities, club-wide trips to the Brodhead Bistro, and gaming, pool, and ping-pong tournaments.

Gay-Straight Alliance

This group aims to provide a better understanding and acceptance of all individuals, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and heterosexuals. We are here to inform and provide support to everyone.

Lion Ambassadors

Members are enthusiastic students who are committed to promoting Penn State Beaver, the University, and new student recruitment. Duties include providing campus tours, hosting Open House events, and assisting with other admissions-related activities.

Hockey Club

Hockey Club is open to students who have an interest participating in roller hockey at the competitive level. The league is held at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center on Neville Island.

Psychological Society

This club provides an opportunity for students to explore the study and practice of psychology, promote mental well-being, and generate interest in psychology topics on and off campus. The club also provides opportunities for interaction with students, faculty, and psychology professionals in the community.

The Roar

Penn State Beaver's award-winning student newspaper, The Roar, involves students from a variety of majors who choose to explore their journalistic talents. Students interested in sports, music, business, design and advertising are needed and welcome to take Comm 001 to learn to write or design the newspaper.

Student government Association (SGA)

This group is the voice of the Beaver campus student population. Members consist of an Executive Board (president, vice president, secretary, and two treasurers) and five representatives from each of the current standing classes.

THON

The purpose of THON, the nickname for Penn State's annual Dance Marathon, is to raise funds to provide support for pediatric cancer patients.

Varsity Club

The Varsity Club's mission is to advocate for the student-athlete in an attempt to make his/her athletic experience at Penn State Beaver the best it can be.

WBVR

Members consist mostly of communications majors, but all students in any major are welcome! Students can participate as DJs or talk show hosts, or they can volunteer for positions that don't require being on air.

Campus Events

Homecoming

Homecoming is held annually during the fall semester. The event is typically held on a Saturday when a carnival and tailgate party is held. Various athletic games of alumni vs students are also held.

Beaverfest

BeaverFest Week, which is sponsored by the Student Government Association, features a series of programs and events for Beaver students with free food, giveaways, prizes and T-shirts. Beaverfest is held annually during the last week of classes for the spring semester.

External links

• Penn State Beaver
• WBVR Radio