Slippery Rock University

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (also known as 'The Rock' or 'SRU') is an American university, and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. It is located in the northern Pittsburgh suburb of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The university has one of the largest campuses in western Pennsylvania, occupying 611 acres (2.4 km²).

Vision

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world.

Mission

The fundamental mission of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate academic instruction. Complementary missions are to conduct scholarly research, to promote professional performance, and to address the educationally-related economic, health, environmental, social, cultural, and recreational needs of the region served by the university. In accomplishing these missions, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania primarily focuses its efforts on the academic areas of:

• the arts and sciences
• business
• communication
• computer and information sciences
• environmental sciences and studies
• health and human services
• teacher education

The perspectives of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are contemporary and futuristic, national and international. The university provides experiences and opportunities for students to demonstrate leadership and to develop confidence and self-reliance; it promotes their intellectual, social, and physical development; and it accomplishes these in an open, caring, nurturing, and friendly environment. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is committed to serving and empowering all segments of the population that can benefit from its offerings.

The individual and collective excellence for which Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania stands will continue to be measured by the quality of its graduates and their successes in serving society

Famous Alumni

• Greg Hopkins - Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker
• Robert J. Stevens - President and Chief Operating Officer - Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Kenneth L. Wilcox - Vice President/General Manager - Small Format Channels Team - Frito-Lay North America

Brief History of SRU

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania opened its doors on March 26, 1889 as Slippery Rock State Normal School. Its first president was James E. Morrow, great-grandfather of Anne Morrow Lindberg, and the enrollment for the first session was 168 students. Limited to a singular mission in teacher education, the normal school over the years fulfilled its mandate well, graduating thousands of students to staff the public schools in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.

In 1926, the institution was purchased by the Commonwealth, became a four-year teachers college, and continued the tradition of teacher training. While the curricular preparations were in elementary education and in a number of secondary education subjects, the area of academic focus which was assigned at that time by the Pennsylvania Department of Education was in health and physical education. And it was in that concentration that the institution soon achieved a national reputation for excellence.

Slippery Rock State College was established in 1960 and for the first time, could award undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts and in the professions. Expanded curricular offerings and an increased number of degree programs created an appreciable rise in enrollment. From 1960 to 1970, enrollment rose from 1,314 to 5,446 students. Over a decade later, as part of the State System of Higher Education, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania enjoys an enrollment of some 8,200 students in more than 100 academic degree programs. Students are enrolled from 40 states and 71 countries.

Greek Life (Fraternities and Sororities)

The Greek system at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has played a positive role on the campus since 1961. Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, and National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations believe that Greek organizations can make a relevant contribution to their individual members, the University as a whole, and the community. Current campus groups are:

Interfraternity Council Fraternities:

• Alpha Sigma Phi (1970)
• Pi Kappa Phi (1985)
• Theta Xi (1987)
• Sigma Tau Gamma (1991)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (1997)

Panhellenic Association Sororities:

• Alpha Omicron Pi
• Alpha Sigma Tau
• Alpha Xi Delta
• Delta Zeta
• Phi Sigma Sigma
• Sigma Sigma Sigma

Pan-Hellenic Council Organizations:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

SRU Campus Faculty and Administrators that are Greek Include:

Administration -

• Dr. Robert Smith (University President) - Beta Theta Pi
• Dr. Robert Watson (V.P. for Student Life) - Alpha Chi Rho
• Dr. John Bonando (Assistant V.P. for Student Life)
• Dr. Paula Olivero (Assistant V.P. for Student Life) - Phi Sigma Sigma
• Dr. Christopher Cole (Director for Center for Student Involvement and Leadership)
• Dr. Shane McGoey (Assistant Director for Center for Student Involvement and Leadership) - Alpha Chi Rho
• Ms. Cathie Sadler (Coordinator of Student Organizations) - Alpha Sigma Tau
• Mr. Tony Caldarelli (Center for Student Leadership) - Pi Kappa Phi
• Mr. Michael Vigliotti (Coordinator of University Union Operations) - Pi Kappa Phi

Faculty -

• Dr. Jeffrey Taylor (Biology) - Pi Kappa Phi
• Dr. Simon Beeching (Biology) - Pi Kappa Phi
• Dr. Charles Tichy (Modern Languages) - Pi Kappa Phi

External links

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Office of Greek Life