Keene State College: A Comprehensive Overview of History, Academics, and Campus Life

Keene State College, a public liberal arts institution nestled in Keene, New Hampshire, is part of the University System of New Hampshire. The college offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs in the liberal arts, social sciences, sciences, and professional fields, along with selected graduate degrees. Known for its commitment to providing an affordable and well-rounded education, Keene State attracts a diverse student body and fosters a vibrant campus community.

A Glimpse into History

The oldest building on the campus, Fiske Hall has been a part of the college since its founding in 1909. It underwent renovations during the spring semester of 2007 following the opening of new residence halls elsewhere on campus, and reopened for the Fall 2007 semester. The Hale Building was constructed in 1861 and was the home of several New Hampshire governors. The Mason Library is named for Wallace Edward Mason, who was the President of Keene Normal School from 1911 until 1939.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

Keene State College offers more than 40 areas of undergraduate study. Keene State is "best known for its teacher education program," there's a host of other majors including architecture as well as unique programs in holocaust and genocide studies and something called safety studies.

Diverse Fields of Study

Keene State College offers a wide array of academic programs, catering to varied interests and career aspirations. Both the Master of Science in Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences and Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition are offered as fully online programs. The Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences program is the second largest major on campus.

Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The Mason Library is home to the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. examines both the Holocaust and the broader topic of genocide in an interdisciplinary exploration of history, philosophy, psychology, the arts, religion, and sociology.

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Safety and Occupational Health Applied Science

Working in the high-tech TDS (Technology, Design, and Safety) Center at KSC, students learn about health and safety in the workplace, compliance with safety and environmental regulations, human resource management, and jobsite leadership. Internships put classroom knowledge into action.

Product Design

KSC’s program approaches the artistic, scientific, and technical aspects from a viewpoint that values sustainability and sound business practices

Academic Environment

Much of the "well-equipped" physical campus is pretty new, and several buildings are "state of the art." "Professors here at KSC are hit-or-miss." "There are some brilliant, effective, and extremely devoted instructors at Keene State in every department," promises a history major. "Most professors are genuinely invested in giving you a good education and not wasting your money," agrees an education major.

Libraries

Keene State College students have access to two libraries: Mason Library, located on campus, and Keene Public Library, situated in downtown Keene. Both libraries offer a wide range of resources and services to cater to the needs of students, faculty, and alumni.Mason Library, the main library at Keene State College, houses an impressive collection of 224,169 books and 220,266 e-books. Additionally, the library provides access to 64,396 digital serial subscriptions and 60 physical serial subscriptions. Students can also benefit from the library's study rooms, computer labs, and printing services. The library staff is trained to provide and interpret library materials, ensuring that students receive the necessary support in their academic pursuits. Mason Library operates for 95 weekly public service hours, but it does not offer 24-hour access.Keene Public Library, open to the public, boasts a collection of over 100,000 books, DVDs, audiobooks, and other materials available for borrowing. Students can access the library's online resources, including databases and e-books, as well as make use of study spaces, computer access, and printing services. To borrow materials from both libraries, students must obtain a Keene LINK card by presenting their KSC Alumni ID Card at the circulation desk.Furthermore, Keene State College students have access to library collections shared with other institutions, expanding the range of resources available to them.

Campus Life: A Hub of Activity and Engagement

Student life at Keene State College is characterized by a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, with approximately 85% of students opting to live on campus. The college encourages on-campus living, as research indicates that students who reside on campus have a higher likelihood of graduating and achieving better academic performance. To facilitate a smooth transition to college life and enhance the chances of success, Keene State College requires students with 59 credits or less to live on campus.

Campus Environment and Facilities

The campus itself spans 150 acres and offers a variety of amenities and services for students, including a health clinic, women's center, psychological counseling, and a veterans affair office. Students can also participate in campus activities such as drama, chorus, and radio, as well as read the campus newspaper. The college is home to students from 13 different foreign countries, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Residence Halls

Residence halls at Keene State College feature suite-style arrangements and living/learning communities, supported by a well-trained Residential Life staff. In 2011, the college's innovative, student-led programs earned it the "School of the Year" recognition. Residential students can choose from various meal plan options, with meals served at multiple locations on campus, including the Zorn Dining Commons, the Market at Hoot-n-Scoot, Lloyd's Marketplace, and the Night Owl Cafe.A second-year residence hall that consists of three co-ed floors with a kitchen on each one. Each suite consists of two main rooms with a shared bathroom located between them. Each room houses two or three residents, totaling up to 5 people per suite. Floors are broken up into parliaments by a common interest. A co-ed residence hall (formerly a girls-only hall) situated on the main quad. It is one of the oldest dorms on campus and is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of its namesake, Harriet Lane Huntress, a former administrator in the New Hampshire Department of Education. Pondside II houses 120 co-ed residents - all juniors and seniors - in four-person, carpeted apartments. Each apartment consists of four single bedrooms, a shared bathroom, living area, and a kitchen equipped with a stove, oven, microwave, and refrigerator. Overhead lighting is provided in each bedroom and common area.

Student Involvement

Keene State College provides numerous opportunities for student involvement through its Student Involvement programs and the L.P. Young Student Center. Here, students can access resources, events, and gathering spots, as well as find volunteer and leadership opportunities for personal and professional growth. The college also offers a state-of-the-art Recreation Center, featuring three full-size courts, a fitness center, weight room, and various classes such as zumba, yoga, and aerobics.The Young Student Center was named for Lloyd P. Young, who served as the school's president from 1939 to 1964.

Student Groups and Associations

Keene State College boasts a diverse array of student groups and associations, catering to various interests and needs. With around 60 organizations to choose from, prospective students have ample opportunities to engage in personal, social, intellectual, and spiritual development.Top organizations at Keene State College include the Student Government, Social Activities Council, WKNH, Outing Club, and Greek Life. These groups offer students the chance to participate in leadership roles, plan events, and connect with like-minded peers.In addition to these top organizations, Keene State College provides a variety of sports teams, such as the Women's Rugby Club and the Men's Club Soccer team. These clubs allow students to engage in athletic competition while fostering camaraderie among teammates.Academic and interest-based clubs are also available, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, which focuses on leadership development and goal achievement. The Film Society and Gaming Club offer forums for students to explore their passions for movies and video games, respectively.Cultural and identity-based groups, such as the Multicultural Student Association and the Queer Student Union, celebrate diversity and promote awareness on campus. The Women's and Gender Studies Club aims to raise awareness about gender equality and women's issues.Service-oriented groups, like the Community Service Club and the Environmental Outing Club, enable students to give back to their community and promote sustainability through outdoor activities.According to the Source Data, 5% of students at Keene State College are part of social organizations, with 4% of men and 6% of women participating. This demonstrates the active involvement of students in these various groups and associations.

Athletics

Keene State College boasts a wide variety of athletic programs for its students, encompassing sports such as baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, track & field, and volleyball. For the past 24 years, the college has been a member of NCAA Division III and the Little East Conference. The athletics department is home to 353 athletes, with 174 men and 179 women participating in at least one sport.The college employs 14 head coaches, with six overseeing men's teams and eight managing women's teams. Additionally, there are 38 assistant coaches, with 17 supporting men's teams and 21 working with women's teams.Keene State College has a long and successful history in athletics, with its roots dating back to the 1970s. Over the years, the college has claimed numerous championships, including one National Championship, 18 NESCAC Championships, 10 NAIA District Championships, and 12 National NAIA Tournament Appearances. During its time in NCAA Division II, Keene State College secured one National Championship, 10 ECAC Championships, and 11 NCAA Division II Championship Appearances.In the NCAA Division III era, Keene State College has achieved nine National Championships, produced 132 All-Americans, and 11 Academic All-Americans. The college has also made 50 NCAA Tournament Appearances (team; through 2019-2020), won 14 ECAC Championships, and had 1194 All-Little East Conference players. Furthermore, Keene State College has claimed 34 LEC Regular Season Championships.Keene State, known athletically as the Owls, is an NCAA Division III school, competing in the Little East Conference. In 2023, Keene State also introduced a varsity esports team. The college also offers many club sports: men's soccer, men's and women's rugby, men's and women's ice hockey, ultimate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, dance team, environmental outing, ski & snowboard, and yoga.

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Student Body Composition

Keene State College attracts a diverse range of students, with varying backgrounds and ages. Among first-time degree-seeking students, 49% are in-state residents, placing the college in the bottom 25% for this category. However, 51% of these students come from out-of-state, ranking Keene State College in the top 20% for this demographic. Interestingly, there are no students with residence unknown or from foreign countries in this group.The total number of first-time degree-seeking students at Keene State College is 870, with 749 being freshmen and 121 being transfer students. The age distribution of undergraduate students is quite varied, with the majority being between 18 and 21 years old. Specifically, there are 1,212 students aged 18-19 and 1,292 students aged 20-21. The college also has a smaller number of older undergraduate students, with 310 aged 22-24, 63 aged 25-29, 20 aged 30-34, 13 aged 35-39, 11 aged 40-49, and 11 aged 50-64. There are no undergraduate students aged above 65 or with an unknown age.

Student Life Dynamics

For the most part, everyone seems to get along at Keene State. These students are "mellow" "normal kids" who "are pretty accepting of anyone." "A typical student is someone who has the ability to balance school, work, and other school activities along with a social life." There are students "who are less interested in their education." "The nerds and bookworms are flourishing," too. There's "always a ton of students studying in the library." There are also athletes, "crunchy granolas," and "more than a handful of hipsters." "There is very little ethnic diversity here," "but it is New Hampshire after all." While students have roots in quite a few states, students tend to come from "close to home." "New Englanders" predominate, and the majority hails from the Granite State. "A lot of people seem to come from Connecticut," too.Keene State has "just the right number of people" and is the perfect size-"right between a large university and a very small school." The campus is pretty-"especially in the fall"-and, weather permitting, "the quad is always filled with Frisbees and footballs." Students tell us that Keene State is "a very social institution." Sports are reasonably popular. "The clubs and organizations are extremely well organized." "There is some Greek life," but it's nothing huge. Partying can definitely be a part of life at KSC for those seeking it out. Other students cringe at this description. "There are a lot of alternative activities to drinking," students say. The campus here is nicely situated in the town of Keene. "Everything is walking distance," and there's a decent selection of "shops, bars, and restaurants." The Keene Pumpkin Festival in the fall involves thousands of jack-o-lanterns and is quite a big deal. Don't miss the big gourd-carving free-for-fall called Pumpkin Lobotomy on campus. In the overall scheme of things, though, the surrounding area is "rural environment" "in the backwoods of New Hampshire" where "it gets pretty cold" for the better part of the school year.

Campus Buildings

Opened in 2010 and houses the College Advancement Division: Alumni & Constituent Relations, Development, and Marketing & Communications. Elliot Center is home to on-campus services, including Admissions, the Financial Aid office, Student Accounts office, Academic & Career Advising, the Registrar's office, Health Services, and Transitions & Parent Programs. The Media Arts Center opened in the fall of 2006. It contains offices, classroom space, and lab space for the Film, Graphic Design, Communications, and Journalism departments. The David F. Putnam Science Center was recently renovated and is home to the Computer Science department and other major science fields. The KSC Science Center includes several computer labs containing 440 computers in total. The Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond is home to the performing arts and visual arts on campus. It has three performance venues: the Alumni Recital Hall, home to musical performances and the annual KSC Film Festival; the Main Theatre, which hosts touring performances and college productions and can seat 572; and the Wright Theatre (formerly the Studio Theatre), which was named after Ruth McCaffery Wright '29, and dedicated in May 1995. The Wright Theatre is a flexible black box theatre, allowing for a variety of theatre configurations. It is used primarily by the Theatre and Dance Department as a performance space and classroom. The Spaulding Gymnasium and Recreation Center is open to all KSC students and faculty free of charge, and to the general public for a fee. In addition to the large main gym, it includes a pool, a suspended track, a weight room, and an aerobics room. This building is used for the architecture department as well as the product design students.

Affordability

Keene State College is a liberal arts school with a strong pre-professional bent located in a "classic New England" town.

Tuition and Fees

Keene State Undergraduate Tuition and FeesOut-of-state part-time undergraduates at Keene State paid an average of $968 per credit hour in 2022-2023. In State Tuition $11,754, Out of State Tuition $23,230, Fees $2,956, Books and Supplies $1,000, On Campus Room and Board $13,860, On Campus Other Expenses $1,500.

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