Peru State College
 |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1865 |
| President | Ben E. Johnson Ph.D. |
| Students | 2,000 |
| Undergraduates | Teacher education, arts and sciences, pre-professional fields, professional studies. |
| Postgraduates | MS in Education with a major in curriculum and instruction and MS in Organizational Management. |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Peru Blue |
| Affiliations | Member institution of the Nebraska State College System. |
| Mascot | Bobcats |
| Website | http://www.peru.edu/ |
Peru State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Peru, Nebraska. The college is located in the southeast corner of the state, near the banks of the Missouri River. The college is known as the "Campus of a Thousand Oaks".
History
Peru State is the oldest college in Nebraska. It was founded in 1865 as Mount Vernon College and was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later, in 1867, ownership of the college was transferred to the state government for use as a normal school and the school became the Nebraska State Normal School and later the Peru State Teachers College. Over the years, the school began to offer non-education degrees; in 1963, it was given its present name.
In 1867, the same year that Nebraska became a state, the new Nebraska legislature established an institute in Peru to train teachers. The school actually began on December 2, 1865, when its predecessor, Mount Vernon College, was organized by a group of early settlers who resolved to place the school under the "care and management of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
Colonel T.J. Majors, a Civil War veteran and a state legislator, proposed that the school be made into a state university. Although the offer was rejected, the state legislature on June 20, 1867 did accept the school as a "normal school" -- even before the state university was established. For the next 38 years, the Peru school was the only teacher education institution in the state.
As Nebraska's population increased, the legislature extended the normal schools from two-year to four-year institutions and authorized them to grant the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education. The name of the college also was changed from State Normal School to State Teachers College.
When the United States entered World War II, the College trained officers for the armed forces. The first of an eventual 500 men in the Navy's V-12 program arrived on campus July 1, 1943. The College operated an accelerated program for both civilian students and naval trainees.
In 1949, the legislature authorized the Nebraska State Colleges to confer the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1963, Peru's name was changed to Peru State College. The Bachelor of Science degree was authorized in 1965.
Emerging from its role as a single-purpose teachers college, the College is now a regionally accredited state college offering a wide variety of programs to meet the changing needs of southeast Nebraska and beyond.
The citizens of Nebraska have made the facilities of the College available to students at a minimal personal cost. Peru State admits all graduates of accredited Nebraska high schools and qualified out-of-state and international students. The philosophy of the College is that each person is entitled to the opportunity to succeed at the collegiate level. All who have the ability and the willingness to work will have an excellent chance to succeed at Peru State.
The College believes in academic excellence, in opportunities for personal growth, and in student self-determination consistent with the principles of a democratic society. Administrative intent is to involve students in the decisions which affect them. The College's educational experience is designed to enable students to learn, to equip themselves for meaningful careers, and to be productive members of society. Peru State students have the opportunity to know their instructors well and to be working partners with the staff and other students. Living and working with others offers many opportunities for friendship, growth, and personal development.
Athletics
PSC is NAIA Division II and a member of the MCAC conference. PSC offers varsity football, basketball, baseball and soccer (anticipated fall 2008). For women's athletics, PSC offers volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, cross-country, cheerleading and soccer (anticipated fall 2008).
The 1990 football team won the NAIA Division II National Championship by defeating Westminster (Pa.) 17-7. Nate Bradley was named offensive player of the game. Bob Hansen was named defensive player of the game. Tom Shea was named 1990 division II NAIA coach of the year.
Student Life
Average Class Size: Under 20 Faculty to Student Ratio: 1:20
Clubs & Organizations: PSC has many campus clubs & organizations including academic groups and honorary societies, special interest organizations, music organizations (Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Misty Blues Show Choir, Madrigal Singers), intramural sports and religious groups.
Recreational Facilities: Olympic-sized swimming pool, four basketball courts, fully equipped weight room, intramural field and sports equipment checkout. PSC has a fitness facility equipped with the latest in exercise equipment in the student center and a game room for students to relax and hang out with friends.
External links
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