Penn State Altoona continues diamond anniversary celebration

On Sept. 13, 1939, the Altoona Undergraduate Center opened in the Webster Grade School Building in downtown Altoona. In 1940, a second downtown building, Madison, was added to make room for sophomore science courses.

Returning World War II veterans overfilled the Webster and Madison buildings in 1946 and the center desperately needed more space. After raising $50,000, the advisory board purchased Ivyside Park in 1947, an abandoned 38-acre amusement park on the outskirts of the city, for a new campus.

The park was home to the world's largest concrete swimming pool, now a parking lot for the college. Existing park buildings such as the bathhouse, a huge two-block-long dressing room, were renovated for the Center's use — hence the center's affectionate nickname "Bathhouse U." The Ivyside Park campus opened in 1948 with approximately 600 students and 30 faculty members.

Officially designated a four-year, degree-granting college in 1997, Penn State Altoona now boasts nearly 4,000 students, 312 faculty, an Ivyside campus and a Downtown campus, 22 baccalaureate degrees, several dozen clubs and organizations, and 16 varsity athletic teams.

"The campus has changed quite a bit since 1939," stated Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry. "But one thing that has never changed is the steadfast support of the community for our college. To see generations of support and belief in us is incredible and heartwarming. I have a strong affinity for this area, and this college and the forefathers who allowed this college to grow in this community."

A birthday party of sorts was held on the exact date of the college's opening, Sept. 13, with a community carnival on the Ivyside campus. In conjunction with the college's Family Weekend, students, families and the community were invited to spend the afternoon enjoying live music, food and craft vendors, Berkey Creamery ice cream, rides, inflatables, games and a zip line. There were also student organizations and a scavenger hunt around the campus along with some student organizations. In the evening, a movie was shown on an outdoor screen on the Intramural Fields. The day wrapped up with a fireworks display. 

Other events surrounding the anniversary include a lecture series that occurs each month, in which faculty speak about an historic event from the last 75 years. A film series is also taking place with movies shown from each decade of Penn State Altoona's existence. On Decades Days, the campus community is encouraged to dress up and decorate offices from the specified time period. The Port-Sky Cafe offers themed dinners, and the Ivyside Pride choral group will offer a December concert filled with music from 1939. The year-long celebration is a way to reflect on where the college has been and generate excitement for it's future.

"We hope when people think of Penn State, they will think about us here because of what we have to offer," said C. David Kimmel, associate director of alumni relations and stewardship. "Students appreciate being affiliated with Penn State in a small college atmosphere. They are more involved with the faculty and staff." 

Added Bechtel-Wherry, "I am very excited about the potential we hold. I'm very confident about our future."

Visit http://www.altoona.psu.edu/75/ to look at the schedule of events throughout the academic year, take a look at some historical photos and share memories of Penn State Altoona.