East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) is a public university in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It is one of the 14 state universities that compose the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). History. The university began its existence in 1893 as a preparatory school for teachers called the East Stroudsburg Normal School, which was private. Ownership was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1920, and the name was changed to East Stroudsburg State Normal School. In 1927, the right to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Science in education and Bachelor of Science in  health education was granted, and the school's name then became the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. In 1960, additional curricula were added and the school's name then became East Stroudsburg State College. The State System of Higher Education was authorized by Senate Bill 506 to assume its current name in 1983. Presidents. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has had 13 presidents since its establishment. Campus. East Stroudsburg University is situated in the borough of East Stroudsburg, located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The university is 45 minutes southeast of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area and 40  minutes north of Allentown. The New Jersey border is only away and the campus is approximately from New York City and from Philadelphia. The neighboring borough of Stroudsburg is the seat and cultural center of Monroe County. ESU is easily accessible from Interstate 80, U.S. Route 209, and PA Route 33. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, the area's primary medical facility, is located on the edge of the campus. The 62 campus buildings are located on in the East Stroudsburg community. In addition to the academic facilities, 7 residence halls (housing 2,200 students), and a 1,000-seat dining hall are  located on campus. The Student Activity Association, Inc., owns Stony Acres, a off-campus student recreation area near Marshalls Creek, that includes a lodge, several cabins, a campsite, recreation areas and a lake. The campus is patrolled by the East Stroudsburg University Police Department. Buildings. In 2003, ESU opened its recreation center. This recreational facility contains an elevated indoor track, several basketball courts, racquetball rooms, various free weight and weight machines as well as cardio machines. In addition to individual programs, there are also group fitness programs ranging from the normal (step aerobics and yoga). In 2010, this building was  named for Dr. Mattioli, thus becoming the "Mattioli Recreation Center." In September 2006, ESU began construction on the new Science and Technology Center. The Science and Technology Center is the first new major academic building since 1979. The $40,000,000 building houses chemistry, math, computer science, and other various science departments. With , the building includes research and classroom space, planetarium, heated celestial observation room, as well as offices for the relocated departments. The building officially opened on September 26, 2008. Academics. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania offers 68 undergraduate major programs with 24 available concentrations, the largest of which (by  enrollment) are Health and Physical Education K-12, Elementary Education, Biological Sciences, Business Management, Computer Science, Psychology, and Secondary Education. ESU has majors in Health Services Administration and Industrial Physics as well as graduate study programs. ESU's extended learning program offers professional development training in Building Information Modeling (BIM). The current student-to-professor ratio stands at 19:1. The breakdown of traditional students consists of 56% female, 44% male, 24% out of state, and 1% international from 9 different countries. Student life. Campus media. Campus Media covers all the activities at ESU. However ESU TV is a bit limited in  covering these activities. The student-run Calliope literary magazine publishes student fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, art and photography, and electronic creative writing. Calliope appears both in print and online editions annually under the auspices of the Department of English. Athletics. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's colors are red and black, and the team nickname is the Warriors. For the 2008–09 academic year, the university's mascot was changed to Burgy the warrior bear. All teams compete in the NCAA Division II and within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Athletic Training services are provided for each intercollegiate sport . There are currently seven male varsity sports available (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Track & Field and Wrestling) as well as 11 female varsity sports (Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field and Volleyball).