DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State's presence in northeast Pennsylvania has now taken on a new name — Penn State Scranton.
Approved by the University's Board of Trustees last July, the name change is intended to more accurately describe the campus' service area, as well as more correctly reflect the 21st-century mission of the campus and the significant role Penn State has in the region.
The campus, established in 1968 at its current location, was named after Worthington Scranton, a well-known area philanthropist and businessman and father of Pennsylvania Governor William W. Scranton.
William Scranton III, and his wife, Maryla, a Penn State Scranton alumna, are campus donors and still very involved with the campus. Maryla Scranton is a past Advisory Board president, Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter Alumna of the Year, and the 2013 commencement speaker; Bill Scranton is this year's commencement speaker.
"Visitors and potential students unfamiliar with local history and the campus' familiar origins often find the name perplexing," Chancellor Marwan Wafa explained. "We believe that changing the name to a more geographically distinguishable reference will better identify our campus by providing a recognized point of reference, while still honoring the Scranton family name."