The Pennsylvania State University - University Park College Portrait

Penn State is a multi-campus public research university that improves the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service. Founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, Penn State is the Commonwealth’s sole land-grant institution, has awarded more than a half-million degrees, and has been Pennsylvania’s largest source of baccalaureate degrees at least since the 1930s. Although the University is privately chartered by the Commonwealth, it was from the outset considered an “instrumentality of the state,” that is, it carries out many of the functions of a public institution and promotes the general welfare of the citizenry. The University Park campus is the administrative and research hub of the University, with more than 40,000 graduate, undergraduate, and professional students and more than 159,000 alumni worldwide.

The Pennsylvania State University is a community dedicated to personal and academic excellence. The values of the university community ensure that Penn State is a thriving environment for living and learning. Members of the community contribute to the traditions and scholarly heritage left by those who preceded them and promise to leave Penn State a better place for those who follow. Penn State is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment that respects the right of all individuals to participate fully in the community. We demonstrate respect for others by striving to learn from differences between people, ideas, and opinions. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle that allows the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. The community promotes learning by encouraging members to exercise personal responsibility, maintain a high standard of behavior, and respect the rights of others. The university community offers a wealth of information for students to help them identify and achieve their academic goals, plan a program of study, and identify educational opportunities.