The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown: A History of Growth and Achievement

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (Pitt-Johnstown or UPJ) stands as a testament to community collaboration and academic evolution. From its humble beginnings as a two-year college to its current status as a comprehensive undergraduate institution, UPJ has consistently adapted to meet the changing needs of its students and the surrounding region.

Inception and Early Years

Pitt-Johnstown's story began in 1927, when it was founded as a two-year college of the University of Pittsburgh. The initiative arose from a request by the Johnstown School Board, who sought the university's assistance in providing continuing education courses for local teachers. On September 24, 1927, UPJ officially opened its doors, holding classes in the Johnstown High School building in the Kernville section of downtown Johnstown. For almost 20 years, the college operated within the high school, offering education tailored to students who lived at home. The first class consisted of 150 students, including 40 women.

Post-War Expansion and Relocation

Following World War II, the Johnstown College experienced significant growth in both course offerings and student enrollment. This surge was partly fueled by an influx of ex-servicemen seeking a college education under the G.I. Bill of Rights. To accommodate this expansion, the college relocated to the Moxham section of town.

In the early 1960s, community leaders recognized the need for a more modern and spacious campus. They collaborated with the University of Pittsburgh to develop a new campus in Richland Township, a suburb of Johnstown. This marked a pivotal moment in the institution's history.

A New Campus and Degree-Granting Status

The new campus in Richland Township opened in 1967, featuring two classroom buildings (Biddle Hall and Krebs Hall), five dormitories, and a student union. This move provided UPJ with the resources and facilities necessary to expand its academic programs.

In 1970, Pitt-Johnstown achieved a significant milestone when it was granted degree-granting status by the University of Pittsburgh. This allowed the college to offer its own bachelor's degrees, further enhancing its reputation and attracting a wider range of students.

Continued Growth and Development

Since attaining degree-granting status, the campus has undergone substantial expansion and modernization. Today, Pitt-Johnstown boasts five academic buildings, a library, an expanded student union, a sports and aquatic center, a wellness center, a conference center, a chapel, a performing arts center, and a large cluster of dormitories, lodges, townhouse apartments, and other student resident housing.

Academic and Administrative Buildings

The campus houses eight academic/administrative buildings: Biddle Hall, Krebs Hall, the John P. Murtha Engineering and Science Building, the Chemical Engineering Building, Blackington Hall, the Nursing and Health Sciences Building, the John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness, and the Living/Learning Center. Each building contains classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and/or administrative offices.

The Owen Library

The Owen Library is a vital resource for students and faculty, holding more than 146,000 monograph volumes and more than 10,000 microforms. As part of the University Library System (ULS), the Owen Library provides access to over 5 million monograph volumes, 40,000 electronic full-text journals, and over 500,000 electronic books. PITTCat+, the University of Pittsburgh’s online library catalog, offers access to materials held in all University libraries, as well as online journal, newspaper and magazine articles, e-books, digital images, and streaming video and audio files. Most material held within the ULS is available for loan within the Pitt system. The ULS provides access to more than 400 additional general and subject-specific databases supporting the research needs of faculty, staff, and students. Owen Library offers wireless laptops and iPads for short-period multi-day loans. There are computer stations for research needs as well as a computer lab. Wireless Pittnet is available in the library building.

Student Union

The Student Union, located in the middle of campus, houses the Student Affairs Office, Health and Counseling Services, Housing Office, Residence Life, Career Services, International Services, and the Bookstore. It serves as a central hub for student life and activities.

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Living/Learning Center

The Living/Learning Center, opened in 1994 and underwent a major renovation in 2021, is a 400-person residence unit. It is not only used as a residence but also as a conference center throughout the year. In addition to the residence units in the Living/Learning Center, the campus offers the choice of single-gender and gender-inclusive housing.

Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center (PPAC)

The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is a 42,000-square-foot multipurpose facility completed in 1991. It contains a 1,000-seat concert hall, a 200-seat studio theater, and supporting operational spaces. Performances include Pitt-Johnstown theater department productions, music department concerts, and national touring troupes. The PPAC is also home to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown.

J. Irving Whalley Memorial Chapel

The J. Irving Whalley Memorial Chapel, constructed in 1991, is nondenominational and seats 250 people. It provides a space for reflection and spiritual activities.

University Square

University Square is an outdoor green space that features a gazebo and seating areas in a park-like atmosphere. The facility provides a central meeting place for students and other groups and takes advantage of Pitt-Johnstown’s lush, pristine surroundings.

Sports Center and Zamias Aquatic Center

The Sports Center and Zamias Aquatic Center provide recreational facilities for more than 15 intramural sports, as well as intercollegiate activities. The building houses the Athletics Hall of Fame, a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a workout room with free weights, and locker rooms with showers. Adjacent to the Sports Center is the Pitt-Johnstown Wellness Center, a 40,000-square-foot facility containing cardiovascular and strength training areas, a three-lane, elevated running track, two multi-purpose courts for basketball and volleyball, a 30-ft.

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Academics and Accreditation

Pitt-Johnstown operates on a modified trimester calendar, with a 15-week fall term (September to mid-December) and a 15-week spring term (January to mid-April). The college offers more than 50 academic majors, with minors available in many of the major fields, as well as in other areas of arts and sciences. The average class size is 25, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1. All courses are taught by college faculty.

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, programs may be accredited by discipline-specific accrediting bodies. For example, the Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Campus Life and Student Services

Pitt-Johnstown offers a wide range of services and activities to support its students.

Campus Ministry

Campus ministry strives to meet the spiritual needs of students by providing an exciting and comfortable atmosphere in which to worship, serve, and share fellowship with other believers. Both Protestant and Catholic ministries desire to challenge and encourage students to realize their God-given potential in order to effectively and positively impact the world around them.

Campus Police

The Campus Police Department provides on-campus protection and service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the University. Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Campus police officers are certified by the Pennsylvania State Police and receive annual training as mandated under the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. The department also provides a variety of programs such as crime prevention awareness, alcohol and drug awareness training and programming, fire safety training, and operation ID (students inscribe identifying numbers on valuables such as televisions, stereos, computers, etc.). Campus police officers enforce the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Codes as it relates to parking on campus, including campus vehicle registration. Additional miscellaneous services of the department include motorist assistance and police escort services. As required by federal law (Clery Act), the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown publishes an annual safety brochure. This brochure provides information regarding safety and security policies, procedures, and programs, as well as campus crime statistics for the past three years.

Career Services

The Pitt-Johnstown Office of Career Services and Development assists students in identifying career goals, formulating career plans, and implementing their plans upon graduation. Their services begin when students first arrive on campus for orientation and continue throughout their time on campus. PJ Links is an online job and internship database offered only to Pitt-Johnstown students. Pitt-Johnstown students have access to Handshake, the online job and internship database maintained by Pitt-Oakland. The Office of Real World Career Services partners with faculty and student organizations to target their particular needs.

Information Technology

The Information Technology unit manages seven computer labs for student use. The university’s wireless network is free to the campus community and is available in academic buildings, the Owen Library, and the Student Union. All classrooms are technology-enabled with PC, internet access, document camera and multimedia devices and projectors. Network access is available in every classroom. Information Technology provides local oversight to the university’s program that provides free productivity software to students. The University also works with major hardware vendors to provide discounted computer prices for students. Every member of the University community has two basic rights regarding computing: privacy and a fair share of resources. It is unethical for another person to violate these rights. All users, in turn, are expected to exercise common sense and decency with regard to the campus computing resources. Students are subject to the rules and regulations as described in the University of Pittsburgh Student Code of Conduct.

Health and Counseling Services

On campus, health care is available to all University of Pittsburgh Johnstown’s enrolled, full-time students. A health fee is paid by full-time students each term. The Office of Health and Counseling Services is not equipped to handle severe accidents or illnesses. Students who present with medical needs beyond the Center’s scope of practice will be directed off campus for services. Counseling services are provided to assist Pitt-Johnstown students with their emotional, mental health, and/or social concerns. The center can assist with many issues including homesickness, relationship problems, anxiety, stress, depression, sexual assault, grieving, low self- esteem, and eating disorders. The mission of the Counseling Center is to support students on their academic journey as a means to foster a positive collegiate experience. All services are free and confidential Off-campus referrals for services are made as necessary. Students may schedule an appointment by visiting the Office of Health and Counseling Services located in G-10 of the Student Union Building or by calling the office.

Mountain Cat Card

A Pitt-Johnstown identification card (known as the Mountain Cat Card) is issued to all registered students, faculty, and staff through the ID Center, located in room 151 of the Student Union Building. The Mountain Cat Card is used to access meal plan and “Mountain Cat Cash” accounts for making purchases in the cafeteria and other eating venues on campus. The “Mountain Cat Cash” account can also be used for purchases at the Pitt-Johnstown Bookstore. Residence facilities and the Health and Wellness Center require the use of the Mountain Cat Card to gain access. Students also use the card for student identification in the library, at sporting events, and to receive student discounts for campus events and from local retailers. Cardholders can furthermore use their Mountain Cat Card to release print jobs at several Mt. Cat Mobile Print stations on campus. Students have the option of creating a personal “Mountain Cat Cash” account by depositing funds on their student ID card through the Pitt-Johnstown Business Office. Mountain Cat Cash is a convenient way to make purchases on campus without the need to carry cash, checks, or credit/debit cards. Funds are added to the student’s ID card and can be used at the dining facilities on campus and the Pitt-Johnstown Bookstore.

Athletics

Pitt-Johnstown's varsity teams compete in NCAA Division II athletics and are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Pitt-Johnstown (UPJ) athletic teams are called the Mountain Cats. UPJ competes in fifteen intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball. Pitt-Johnstown’s student-athletes’ performances have garnered individual and team honors at the conference, regional and national levels. The 15 varsity sports offer student-athletes an opportunity to compete and represent Pitt-Johnstown, while learning valuable lessons that can be applied off the court, field, mat or track.

A Thriving History Department

The History Department at Pitt-Johnstown offers a Bachelor of Arts in History, as well as a Certificate in Public & Applied History, and two Minors: History and Art History. All faculty members have advanced degrees in History and serve as advisors to majors and minors. The department is also proud to have an affiliate chapter of Phi Alpha Theta International Honor Society in History. The History Department also offers a History Club.

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