Penn State University Archives
Penn State History
Significant
Events in the Development of
The Pennsylvania State University - 1980s
1980
- One hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the University
marked on February 22, 1980, celebrated in many forms including a "People
to People" statewide media relations campaign, a University oral history
project, numerous events designated as official anniversary observances,
a telegram of congratulations from President Carter and resolutions
from the Legislature.
- Public radio station, affiliated with National Public
Radio (NPR), authorized.
- University Scholar Program begins with 325 students enrolled.
1981
- Sara George, sophomore economics major, is first Penn
State winner of a $20,000 Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
1982
- Dr. Bryce Jordan, Chief Operating Officer for Academic
Affairs of the University of Texas System is elected the 14th President
of The Pennsylvania State University effective July 1, 1983.
- Academic Information System (AIS) development initiated
by fully-computerized Student System; other components to be integrated
are Budget Operations and Planning, Business Services, Facilities/Property
Inventory, Financial, and Human Resources.
- Football team (11-1) wins national championship with
victory over Georgia in Sugar Bowl.
- University Commission on Women established, charged to
improve the environment for the performance of women faculty, staff,
and students.
1983
- Advanced Technology Center of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
established under grant from State's Ben Franklin Partnership, one of
four centers in state to promote university-industrial cooperation and
foster economic development.
- Library Information Access System (LIAS) introduced to
provide on-line computerized catalog information for University Libraries'
users at all locations.
- First Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imaging System
in the Commonwealth established at Hershey Medical Center.
1984
- Major gifts and grants are announced: H. Thomas Hallowell,
Jr., donates $1 million to the College of Engineering, largest gift
ever from a living individual; Homer F. Braddock bequest of $5.6 million
for scholarships in Science is largest single bequest in Penn State
history.
- The student system module of the Administrative Information
System (AIS) is implemented. Giant database management system accessible
from all campuses covers: undergraduate admissions, academic records,
graduate school, housing, billing and accounts receivable, and financial
aid.
- William C. Richardson is named Executive Vice President
and Provost.
1985
- "Penn State Heart" developed by team head by Prof. William
S. Pierce at Hershey approved for use as temporary "bridge" implant
by U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Anthony Mandia, 44, of Philadelphia
is first recipient.
- NASA chooses Penn State as prime contractor to design
sensors for the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility -- the orbiting
x-ray telescope scheduled to be launched from the space shuttle in 1991;
Applied Research Laboratory awarded three-year $80 million contract
by U.S. Navy for research and development of undersea technology.
- William A. Schreyer `48, Chairman and CEO of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc. named Chairman of the Campaign for Penn State.
- Corporation for Penn State established to conduct support
activities on behalf of the University, Trustee officers and committee
chairs and senior University administrative officers constitute the
Board of Directors.
1986
- College of Health and Human Development created by merger
of Colleges of Health, Physical Education and Recreation with Human
Development.
- Football team concludes undefeated 1986 season with National
Championship victory over the University of Miami in the Fiesta Bowl
on January 2, 1987.
- The Campaign for Penn State is formally launched at a
gala celebration featuring White House Chief of State Donald T. Regan;
$10 million gift from the Eberly Family Charitable Trust funds 8 chairs
in the College of Science and provides million dollar endowments to
the Biotechnology Institute and for science programs at Fayette, second
largest gift in Penn State history.
1987
- University adopts new graphic identity system and University
Mark to assure consistent use of visual devices across the institution.
- Alumni Association records 100,00th member making it
the second largest in the United States.
1988
- Black students occupy Telecommunications Building to
dramatize concerns of Black community, charges of trespassing are later
dropped as administration begins direct meetings with Concerned African-Americans
at Penn State (CAAPS).
- King of Prussia Center for Graduate Studies and Continuing
Education moves and is officially designated Penn State Great Valley.
- The Campaign for Penn State: goal of Campaign raised
from $200 to $300 million and campaign extended another year to 1990.
1989
- The Campaign for Penn State surpasses its goal of $300
million seven months ahead of schedule with $10 million gift from Frank
and Mary Jean Smeal for faculty endowments in College of Business Administration,
Smeal's gift is largest ever by an individual.
- Enrollment surpasses 70,000 students for first time ever.
- Williamsport Area Community College legally transfer
to Penn State System becoming Pennsylvania College of Technology, a
wholly-owned affiliate of Penn State.
- Penn State is designated a Space Grant University by
NASA with the awarding of $1.25 million over five years to provide fellowships,
courses, lab experiences and other programs to communicate the significance
of space science.
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