University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's presence in the Greater Philadelphia region, southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware will be taking on a new name: Penn State Brandywine.
Approved Nov. 2 by the University's Board of Trustees, the name change is intended to strengthen the image of a high-quality campus and to distinguish the campus from other educational institutions in the Delaware County area. The move also reflects the campus' continuing influx of students from neighboring counties and regions, and from out-of-state.
"Since opening its doors 40 years ago to several hundred students in the immediate community, the campus has grown to approximately 1,700 students," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "But in recent years, the campus has shown a steady increase in students from nearby Chester County, the city of Philadelphia, parts of southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware. The change of name to Penn State Brandywine more accurately reflects its geographical region and avoids confusion with other local institutions that share the 'Delaware' name."
Penn State Delaware County, founded at its current location in 1967, offers baccalaureate degrees in 10 disciplines and provides the first two years of instruction for more than 160 academic programs at the University. It also offers associate degrees in three areas as well as several certificate programs.
Before reaching the University's Board of Trustees for consideration, the proposal for the new name was approved by a campus faculty and staff committee, the campus Advisory Board and Campus Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska.
Together, Penn State Abington, Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Great Valley serve more than 6,000 students in the region.