Central Penn College's History
1881 - Present
Central Penn College traces its history to
1881, when Joseph N. Currey founded the
Pennsylvania Business College at 307 Market Street in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. For the next 89 years, a continuous series of
career-oriented business colleges existed on Market Street in the
heart of the business district of Harrisburg. Their main focus was
always clear - to provide career-oriented education.
In
1922, Professor William H. Hartsock was relieved
from his position as head of the
accountancy department at the Harrisburg Business College/School
of Commerce located at 15 S. Market Square. Numerous faculty and
anywhere from 150 to 250 Harrisburg Business College students
followed Professor Hartsock, who, on October 30 that same year,
opened the doors to Central Pennsylvania Business College, less
than three blocks away. By 1923, all predecessor institutions
(Pennsylvania Business College, Harrisburg Business College/School
of Commerce) were non-existent. Only Hartsock's Central
Pennsylvania Business College survived.
In 1970, Central Pennsylvania Business School
moved across the Susquehanna River to Summerdale, Pennsylvania.
Bart and Jean Milano began the creation of the School's current
suburban Harrisburg campus, featuring all new structures that
included academic buildings, apartment-style housing, and
recreation facilities. The transition from business school to
college began in 1977 when the Commission on
Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and
Schools accredited Central Penn. In 1999 the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized Central Penn as a two-year
college with degree granting privileges. In December of
2000, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education
approved Central Penn College to operate as a four-year degree
granting college.
In 2002, the College doubled the size of its
academic buildings with the opening of the Advanced Technology
Education Center, which also houses a conference center and
restaurant. Later that year, Henszey's Bridge, an 1869 wrought iron
structure listed in the National Historic Register, was restored
and placed in the center of the campus. It serves both practical
and symbolic purposes. The Charles "T" Jones Leadership Library opened its
doors in October 2002. In addition to serving Central Penn's
academic needs, it houses a collection of personal development and
leadership materials from many of the country's top motivational
speakers and authors. Constructed in the spring of 2003, the
Craiger C. Parker Amphitheatre showcases the College's core values
and provides a scenic setting where outdoor classes and other
activities can be held.
In 2004, Central Penn College began offering online as well
as blended courses, and opened its first additional location - Central
Penn Lancaster. Located just off Route 30 near the heart of
downtown Lancaster, Central Penn Lancaster currently serves adult
students enrolled in bachelor's degree completion programs in a
variety of majors.
In 2005, Central Penn was granted permission from
the Middle States Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of
Education to begin offering two fully online bachelor's degree
programs. Today, Central Penn's online offerings include 12
fully-online degree programs and three hybrid degree
programs-provided through a blend of in-person and online
instruction.
In 2006, the College completed a $1,000,000
learning facility at its main campus - featuring a crime lab, a
physical therapist assistant lab, and a medical assisting
lab.
In October 2007, the new Student Fellowship Area
opened when 1 1/2 acres were transformed into a beautiful outdoor
setting with a large amphitheatre, a stage/performance area, a
picnic area, and a plaza, all connected by macadam stamped
pathways. Professionally designed landscaping, lighting, fencing,
and a wrought iron archway add to this attractive campus
addition.
In May 2009, Central Penn College opened an
additional location in Lehigh Valley which serves as a bachelor's
degree completion center for adult students. Central Penn Lehigh
Valley is located in the Lehigh Valley Corporate Center in
Bethlehem.
In March 2010, the Central Penn
College Education Foundation announced its endowment passed the
$2 million mark.
Central Penn College is Harrisburg's private, residential
co-educational college. In addition to academic buildings,
conference center, library, historic bridge, and Craiger C. Parker
Amphitheatre, the 35-acre campus includes furnished apartments,
townhouses, recreational facilities, and a child development
center.
Educational
offerings at Central Penn include a wide variety
of high-quality, career-focused programs. Additional
bachelor's degree programs continue to be submitted for review by
the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The College currently
serves approximately 1500 traditional-age residential and commuter
students and working adults throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
Central Penn's mission is to provide an education
that prepares its graduates to obtain employment or advancement in
their chosen field, continue their education, and be contributing
members of society.
Did You Know?
Henszey's Bridge
Henszey's Bridge - connecting the ATEC to the rest of our campus - originally crossed Trout Creek in Slatington, PA before being restored and moved to Central Penn's campus in 2002.