Our History

Bloomsburg University An academy “to teach the youth the elements of a classical education” was established in Bloomsburg in 1839. The academy continued until 1856 when it was reorganized as Bloomsburg Literary Institute. A building – now known as Carver Hall in memory of Henry Carver, the first principal – was erected in 1867 and, today, is the university’s landmark and home to offices of the president and provost.

Bloomsburg Literary Institute became Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Normal School in 1869. The school continued under this name until 1916 when it was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and named Bloomsburg State Normal School.

The emphasis at the Normal School changed during the early 1920s from secondary and college preparatory courses for special teachers to full-time teacher education. The new direction led to the designation “Bloomsburg State Teachers College” in 1927. The institution was authorized to grant a bachelor of science in education, a degree which prepared students for teaching careers.

Under the administration of Francis Haas (1927 to 1937), a new degree in business education was added. The next president, Harvey Andruss, served for 30 years (1939 to 1969) and is memorialized in the name of the university’s library.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy V-12 Officer Training Program was conducted on campus, a service now commemorated in the naming of Navy Hall. In 1957, the Division of Special Education was instituted. Major expansions in facilities, faculty and student body followed.

In 1960, the school’s name was changed to Bloomsburg State College. Authorization was received to grant a bachelor of arts for liberal arts programs in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and mathematics. Graduate study leading to a master of education was inaugurated. A doctoral program in clinical audiology, in conjunction with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was approved in 2003.

The institution’s current title, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, was officially adopted when commonwealth legislation established the 14-member State System of Higher Education on July 1, 1983. James McCormick, BU’s president at the time, became the System’s first chancellor. David L. Soltz became BU’s 18th president in January 2008.

Key People

Much of the history of Bloomsburg University can be told through the names of its buildings. Here are just a few:

Andruss Library: Harvey A. Andruss, president from 1939 to 1969
Carver Hall: Henry Carver, first principal
Fenstemaker Alumni House: Howard F. Fenstemaker, faculty member from 1926 to 1963
Haas Center for the Arts: Francis B. Haas, president from 1927 to 1939
Kehr Union: Marguerite Kehr, dean of women from 1928 to 1953
Kozloff Apartments: Jessica S. Kozloff, president from 1994 to 2007
McCormick Center for the Humanities: James H. McCormick, president from 1973 to 1983 and first chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Nelson Field House: Elna H. Nelson, baseball coach and director of health education from 1924 to 1945
Sutliff Hall: William Boyd Sutliff, teacher and administrator, 1891 to 1937
Waller Administration Building: David Waller, two terms as president, 1877 to 1890 and 1906 to 1920

Full History of Past Presidents

Timeline

1866 – Land acquired; Henry Carver named first principal
1869 – Became State Normal School of the 6th District
1919 – Dedication of World War I Pinery, in memory of 16 students who died in the war
1926 – Enrollment of 712 students (earliest record available)
1927 – Became Bloomsburg State Teachers College
1954 – Dedication of Carver Hall beacon in memory of 27 former students and alumni who died in World War II
1960 – Became Bloomsburg State College
1964 – Enrollment of 2,592 (first year master’s-level classes were offered)
1983 – Became Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, part of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education; enrollment of 6,316
2003 – Community Government Association signed agreement leading to construction of Honeysuckle Apartments
2003 – First doctoral program approved, doctor in clinical audiology
2007 — Academic Quadrangle completed as final phase of major campus construction/renovation project
2009 – Enrollment of 9,512 students