Westminster College (Pennsylvania)

Westminster College is a private liberal arts college in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1852, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The student population includes approximately 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students. History Westminster was formed as a result of a meeting on January 21, 1852, between the Ohio and Shenango Presbyteries. Campus Westminster is located in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, a town of approximately 2,100 residents located 50 miles (80 km) north of Pittsburgh and 80 miles (130 km) south of Erie and Cleveland on a 300-acre (120 ha) campus. The S. R. Thompson House was built by college professor S. R. Thompson in 1884 and is now a dormitory. Academics Westminster College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, Westminster College was ranked 108th (tied) of 211 national liberal arts colleges. Westminster College has been named one of the nation's top 100 liberal arts colleges by The Washington Monthly in its 2025 College Guide and Rankings. Student organizations The college has a Student Government Association that exists primarily for governing and providing entertainment for the student body. There are four fraternities and five sororities at Westminster College, and approximately half of the student body is involved in Greek life. Student publications include The Holcad, a weekly student newspaper; Argo, the university's student-run yearbook; and Scrawl, an annual literary magazine. The Holcad was started in 1884. Westminster's radio station, WWNW Titan Radio serves Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The station streams online and features a hot adult contemporary format. Programming includes live local sports for Wilmington Area High School and various Westminster Titans teams. Titan Radio is a broadcast member of the Pennsylvania Associated Press and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. Westminster's television station is the Westminster Cable Network, which covers local news and sports. Athletics The Westminster Titans compete in NCAA Division III athletics. Before moving to the NCAA, Westminster competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for many years. For a brief period, Westminster was a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Titans currently are a member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The first official football game by the Westminster Titans was in December 1891, which they lost to Geneva, 42–0. The next year was the first official season, during which Westminster played four games and went 3–1. The Titans won the NAIA Division II Football National Championship six times, during 1970, 1976, 1977, 1988, 1989, and 1994. While competing in NAIA Division II, Westminster had 11 undefeated seasons. Westminster men's basketball team lost in the national NAIA title game twice (1960 and 1962) under coach Charles "Buzz" Ridl. Ridl was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame (1969), the Western Pennsylvania Coaches Hall of Fame (1980), and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1992). Notable alumni Notable faculty Wes Craven – English James Ashbrook Perkins – English and public relations References External links Official website Athletics website