East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It is one of the 14 state universities that compose the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). It is commonly referred to as ESU by its students and members of the community. The university began its existence in 1893 as a preparatory school for teachers called the East Stroudsburg Normal School, which was private. Ownership was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1920, and the name was changed to East Stroudsburg State Normal School. In 1927, the right to confer the degrees of bachelor of science in education and bachelor of science in health education was granted, and the school's name then became the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. In 1960, additional curricula were added and the school's name then became East Stroudsburg State College. The State System of Higher Education was authorized by Senate Bill 506 to assume its current name in 1983.
Location
East Stroudsburg University is situated in the borough of East Stroudsburg, located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The university is 45 minutes southeast of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area and 40 minutes north of Allentown. The New Jersey border is only 2 miles (3Â km) away and the campus is approx. 70 miles (110Â km) from New York City and 90 miles (140Â km) from Philadelphia. The neighboring borough of Stroudsburg is the seat and cultural center of Monroe County. ESU is easily accessible from Interstate 80, U.S. Route 209, and PA Route 33. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, the area's primary medical facility, is located on the edge of the campus.
Campus
The 62 campus buildings are located on 213 acres (0.9Â km2) in the East Stroudsburg community. In addition to the academic facilities, 7 residence halls, housing 2,200 students, and a 1,000-seat dining hall are located on campus. Along with the dining hall, the Student Union offers "Center Court": a cafeteria style dining experience featuring a variety of made-to-order meals. For those looking for a quick pick me up, the coffee shop Java City, also in the Union, offers coffee, tea and smoothie beverages, as well as a bakery. Java City is also where any Open Mic nights, comedy shows and other campus activities take place, and provides a comfortable, quieter area for students to relax between classes. The Quad is a popular area on the campus where students convene to hang out, sun-bathe and play sports during the summer, fall and spring months. In addition, The Student Activity Association, Inc., owns Stony Acres, a 119-acre (0.5Â km2) off-campus student recreation area near Marshalls Creek, that includes a lodge, several cabins, a campsite, recreation areas and a lake. The campus is patrolled by the East Stroudsburg University Police Department.
Buildings
In 2003, ESU opened its new recreation center, the "Rec Center". This recreational facility contains an elevated indoor track, several basketball courts, racquetball rooms, various free weight and weight machines as well as cardio machines. In addition to individual programs, there are also group fitness programs ranging from the normal (step aerobics and yoga). In 2010, this building was named for Dr. Mattioli, thus becoming the "Mattioli Recreation Center."
In September 2006, ESU began construction on the new Science and Technology Center. The Science and Technology Center is the first new major academic building since 1979. The $40,000,000 project consists of state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities that is expected to stimulate economic growth and development in the area. The building houses chemistry, math, computer science, and other various science departments. With 120,000 square feet (11,000Â m2), the building includes research and classroom space, planetarium, heated celestial observation room, as well as offices for the relocated departments. The building officially opened on September 26, 2008.
Academic profile
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania offers 68 undergraduate major programs with 24 available concentrations, the largest of which (by enrollment) are Health and Physical Education K-12, Elementary Education, Biological Sciences, Business Management, Computer Science, Psychology, and Secondary Education. ESU recently added majors in Health Services Administration and Industrial Physics as well as more graduate study programs. The current student to professor ratio stands at 19:1. The breakdown of traditional students consists of 56% female, 44% male, 24% out of state, and 1% international from 9 different countries.
Student life
Campus media
The student-run Calliope literary magazine publishes high-quality student fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, art and photography, and electronic creative writing. Calliope appears both in print and online editions annually under the auspices of the Department of English.
Academic departments & programs
New Master of Arts in Professional and New Media Writing
East Stroudsburg University is the only university in the state-owned system with a graduate degree available in professional and digital media writing. The new all-online program, which launched in fall 2014, is designed to allow busy working students to ramp up and improve their writing skills and credentials.
According to the Professional Writing Program's website, "ESU’s MA in Professional and New Media Writing is unique among writing graduate programs in the area, offering creative writing, literary, and journalistic components and a fast-track to completion with just 30 credits. And ESU’s graduate tuition is extremely competitive in this area."
Greek life
Athletics
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's colors are red and black, and the team nickname is the Warriors. For the 2008â€"09 academic year, the University's mascot was changed to Burgy the warrior bear. All teams compete in the NCAA Division II and within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Athletic Training services are provided for each intercollegiate sport. There are currently seven male varsity sports available (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Track & Field and Wrestling) as well as 11 female varsity sports (Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field and Volleyball).
- East Stroudsburg won the 1962 NAIA national men's soccer championship.
- East Stroudsburg's 1972 men's soccer team produced Division I All-American goalkeeper Bob Rigby.
- East Stroudsburg's softball team appeared in two Women's College World Series in 1975 and 1976.
- East Stroudsburg won the 1983 & 1984 NCAA Division II Men's Gymnastics Championships (runner-up in 1982, fifth place in 1981).
- East Stroudsburg won the 1985 Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League championship (runner-up in 1984, third place in 1983).
- East Stroudsburg's 2000 women's rugby team finished runner up for the rugby.
- East Stroudsburg's 2001 women's field hockey team finished runner-up for the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship.
- East Stroudsburg's 2005 football team got to the Division II semi-finals & quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger won the Harlon Hill Trophy.
- East Stroudsburg's 2009 women's rugby team finished runner up for the NSCRO.
- East Stroudsburg's 2015 women's field hockey team won the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship.
- East Stroudsburg's club archery team won numerous national collegiate team championships bestowed by the National Archery Association over an era extending into the 1970s.
Notable alumni
- Charlie Brenneman, Professional Mixed Martial Artist, formerly for the UFC's Lightweight Division
- James Franklin, head football coach, Pennsylvania State University
- Count Wiley, chiropractor and West New York, New Jersey Commissioner of Public Works
- Nastasia Scott, contestant on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 19
- Jim Saxton, U.S. Representative (R), New Jersey
- Rudy Cerami, AFL Defensive Lineman
- Ken Parrish, NFL punter
- Bob Rigby, professional soccer player
- Frantz St. Lot, professional soccer player
- Bob Stetler, professional soccer player
- Laura Van Gilder, professional cyclist
- Ruth Kramer, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Marie Kruckel, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Jane Moffet, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Ruth Williams, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Ralph Mitterling, Philadelphia Athletics outfielder
- Jim Lambert, sports writer
- Jordan White (musician), rock musician
- Thomas Tigue, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Patricia McMahon Hawkins, Ambassador
- Pat Flaherty, American football offensive line coach
- Mike Reichenbach, NFL linebacker
- David L. Richards, Professor of Human Rights
- Matthew Riddle, former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler
- Vic Fangio, NFL defensive coordinator
- Edwin Erickson, Pennsylvania State Senate
- Joseph Battisto, Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- Kelly Lewis, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Mervin Heller, Jr., President, United States Tennis Association (USTA)
- Bill Lewis, American football coach
- Anibal Nieves, Olympic wrestler, Puerto Rico
- Duane Johnson, professional basketball player
Presidents
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has had 13 presidents since its establishment.
References
External links
Media related to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- ESU Athletics website