University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown: A Legacy of Achievement

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ), a state-related college located in Richland Township, Pennsylvania, near the city of Johnstown, has a rich history and a growing reputation for academic excellence. As a regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh, UPJ offers a wide range of undergraduate programs and opportunities for students to succeed. This article explores the history, campus, academics, athletics, and notable alumni of this distinguished institution.

A Foundation Built on Education

The University of Pittsburgh's connection to the Johnstown area began before World War I. The Johnstown School Board requested that the university provide continuing education courses at extension class sites in local teachers' institutions. This partnership led to a more permanent relationship, and on September 24, 1927, UPJ was officially founded as a two-year college of the University of Pittsburgh. Initially named Johnstown Junior College of the University of Pittsburgh, it later became Johnstown College of the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, classes were held in the Johnstown High School building in the Kernville neighborhood, adjacent to downtown Johnstown.

After World War II, the college relocated to the Moxham section of the city, where the number of courses and students increased. In the early 1960s, community leaders collaborated with the University of Pittsburgh to construct a new campus in suburban Richland Township. The new campus opened in 1967, featuring two classroom buildings, five dormitories, and a student union. In 1970, UPJ was granted degree-granting status by the University of Pittsburgh.

A Thriving Campus

The UPJ campus has expanded significantly since its opening in 1967. Today, it includes five academic buildings, a library, an expanded student union, a sports and aquatic center, a conference center, a chapel, a performing arts center, and numerous student residence options, such as dormitories, lodges, and townhouse apartments. The campus is situated in a suburban, wooded setting occupying 650 acres (2.6 km2), making it the third-largest campus in Pennsylvania in terms of physical size. The campus boasts 32 buildings, primarily constructed with freestone masonry, which house classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, administrative offices, and recreational areas.

Academic and Administrative Buildings

The six main academic/administrative buildings on campus are Biddle Hall, Krebs Hall, Murtha Engineering and Science Building, Blackington Administrative Classroom Building, Nursing and Health Sciences Building, and the Living/Learning Center. These buildings provide a conducive environment for learning and research, equipped with classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices. Biddle Hall also features an advanced technology classroom (ATC) designed for electronic distance learning.

Owen Library

The Owen Library is a vital resource for students and faculty, housing over 146,086 bound volumes, 15,358 titles on microfilm, 625 periodical subscriptions, approximately 130 online subscription databases, and more than 4,500 electronic journals. The library offers a wide range of resources to support academic pursuits and research endeavors.

Student Union

The Student Union, located in the heart of campus, serves as a hub for student life. It houses the Student Life Office, Health Services, Residence Services, Career Services, and the Bookstore/convenience store. The union also features a game room, esports lounge, information desk, and numerous organizational offices, providing students with a space to relax, socialize, and access essential services.

Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center (PPAC)

The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is a 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) multipurpose facility that opened in 1991. It includes a 1,000-seat concert hall, a 200-seat black box theater, and supporting operational spaces. The PPAC hosts a variety of performances, including UPJ Department of Theatre Arts shows and Broadway productions. It is also home to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown.

J. Irving Whalley Memorial Chapel

The J. Irving Whalley Memorial Chapel, constructed in 1991, is a nondenominational space that can accommodate 250 people. It provides a serene environment for reflection and spiritual activities.

Sports Center and Zamias Aquatic Center

The Sports Center and Zamias Aquatic Center offer recreational facilities for more than 15 intramural sports, as well as intercollegiate activities. The building houses a 25-yard (23 m) indoor swimming pool, a workout room with free weights, an aerobic/dance studio, and locker rooms with showers.

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Living/Learning Center

The Living/Learning Center, completed in 1994 and renovated in 2020, is a 400-person residence unit that includes a study room, lounge area, dance practice room, and a smaller student cafeteria. In addition to serving as a residence, the Living/Learning Center is also used as a conference center throughout the year. The campus offers a variety of housing options, including single-sex and coeducational housing.

Academics and Programs

UPJ offers 44 undergraduate majors, with minors available in most of the major fields, as well as in other areas of arts and sciences. The average class size is 25, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. The college is strictly undergraduate, and all courses are taught by college faculty. UPJ operates on a modified trimester calendar, with a 15-week fall term (September to mid-December) and a 15-week spring term (January to mid-April).

Athletics: The Mountain Cats

The Pitt-Johnstown (UPJ) athletic teams are known as the Mountain Cats. UPJ competes in fifteen intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. The baseball team plays some of its home games at Point Stadium.

Notable Alumni

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown has produced a diverse group of successful alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. While a comprehensive list is ever-evolving, some notable alumni include:

David Newell (CGS 1973): Actor, best known as Mr. McFeely (the Speedy Delivery man) on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Linda Drane Burdick (A&S 1986, Law 1989): Chief assistant state attorney at Orange and Osceola County State Attorney's Office in Orlando, Florida; lead prosecutor on State of Florida vs. Casey Anthony.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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