About California University
The University lies within the borough of California, a community of approximately 6,000 residents located on the banks of the Monongahela River, less than an hour's drive south of Pittsburgh. It is accessible via Interstate 70 Exits 15 (PA 43), 16 (Speers) or 17 (PA 88, Charleroi) or via U.S. 40 (PA 43 or 88). The Mon Valley Fayette Expressway (PA 43) links California to the federal Interstate Highway System. The University is approximately 30 minutes from Exit 8 (New Stanton) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and an hour from Pittsburgh International Airport.
The main campus consists of 98 acres, including the Phillipsburg annex. The 98-acre recreation complex, George H. Roadman University Park, is located one mile from campus. This complex includes a football stadium, an all-weather track, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a softball diamond, soccer and rugby fields, a cross country course, areas for intramural sports, and picnic facilities.
Adjoining Roadman Park is the 98-acre SAI Farm, purchased in 2010 from the Harris family. The parcel includes a cross country course, recreation space, and a farmhouse that is being renovated for student meetings. Together, Roadman Park and the SAI Farm comprise Cal U's south campus.
Between 2004 and 2007 the University opened six new residence halls on the main campus, where students live in suites of two or four students, usually sharing a bathroom with no more than one other person. All residence halls are air-conditioned and have state-of-the-art sprinkler systems.
Roadman Park is the site of an upper-campus student housing complex, Vulcan Village, that is home to more than 760 students who live in attractive, furnished garden-style apartments — most with individual baths, a living room, dining area, completely furnished kitchen, including dishwasher and microwave, and a full-size washer and dryer.
The geographic location of the University gives the resident student opportunities to explore and pursue a wide variety of activities. Located on the Appalachian Plateau, an area of rolling hills, the University is a short drive from camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, white-water rafting, canoeing and skiing. In addition to varied cultural activities on campus, the student has easy access to the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, located only 35 miles north of the campus. This provides an opportunity to enjoy the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; the Pittsburgh Ballet; the Civic Light Opera; the David L. Lawrence Convention Center; the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates; various museums; and all of the excitement and attractions of a major metropolitan area.
History
In June 2001, the University began a 17-month celebration of its sesquicentennial. The institution that is now California University of Pennsylvania began as an academy 150 years ago. It has evolved over the years into a multipurpose university, one of the 14 state-owned institutions that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Important Milestones
1852: A two-story academy, offering education from kindergarten through college, was established in the recently founded community of California, Pa.
1865: The academy obtained a charter as a normal school for its district and became a teacher-preparatory institution.
1874: The institution was renamed the South-Western Normal School.
1914: The commonwealth acquired the institution and renamed it the California State Normal School. The curriculum became exclusively a two-year preparatory course for elementary school teachers.
1928: The institution became California State Teachers College, returning to its previous status as a four-year-degree-granting institution, concentrating on industrial arts and special education.
1959: Liberal arts curricula were introduced and the college became California State College.
1962: A graduate program was introduced.
1974: The college developed a special mission in science and technology.
1983: On July 1, 1983, the college became a part of the State System of Higher Education and changed its name to California University of Pennsylvania.
1983: The College of Science and Technology became fully operational.
1992: Angelo Armenti, Jr. was appointed President of California University.
1996: The College of Science and Technology was renamed Eberly College of Science and Technology in honor of the Eberly Foundation for its philanthropic generosity.
1997: Cal U Southpointe Center in the Southpointe Technology Center in Canonsburg, Pa., opened, offering a variety of courses and programs.
1998: The University formally adopted three core values: integrity, civility and responsibility.
2002: The University Council of Trustees formally adopted a list of rights and responsibilities.
2004: The University responded to the needs of today's students and completely redesigned the concept of residence life with three new lower-campus residence halls and the upper-campus Jefferson@California complex.
2006: Two new residence halls opened on campus, completing a new quad around the Natali Student Center.
2007: Carter Hall, the sixth and final residence hall, was opened in August 2007.
(Additional information about the University and its history may be found in the book California University of Pennsylvania: The People's College in the Monongahela Valley, by Regis J. Serinko, published in 1992.)