Edinboro University of Pennsylvania - History

History

Edinboro University was founded as the Edinboro Academy, a private training school for Pennsylvania teachers in 1857, by the region's original Scottish refugees. It is the oldest training institution west of the Allegheny Mountains and the second oldest in all of Pennsylvania. As a people, the Scots were both hearty and hardy. Their commitment to teaching and learning, their work ethic, and their strength of family tempered by upbringing in the great Highland Clans have brought a unique perspective and commitment to all they do at Edinboro University today. In the beginning, Edinboro modestly consisted of one two-story building, six classrooms, three instructors, 110 students and a principal. That original building still stands—Academy Hall—the home of the undergraduate admissions "office." In 1861, the Edinboro Academy affiliated with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to become the second State Normal School in Pennsylvania, occasionally known as the Northwest State Normal School. In 1914, the state purchased the school from the original stockholders and renamed the Edinboro State Normal School. By 1927, the advancement of academic programs to include liberal arts study "requires" the school to rename itself Edinboro State Teachers College. Further "development" of the liberal arts to include degree programs outside the field of education result in Edinboro becoming Edinboro State College in 1960. Continued development of undergraduate liberal arts programs and advanced graduate degrees earned Edinboro university status in 1983.

Edinboro now has more than 40 "buildings" on 585 acres (2.37 km2) and locations in Erie and Meadville. Edinboro University celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006-07. Today, the academic focus at Edinboro goes well beyond the training of teachers. It has been transformed into what is now northwestern Pennsylvania's largest university.