News Release

Library exhibit profiles college’s history

October 6, 2008

In its 42 years of existence, more than 33,000 students have earned their degrees at Penn State Harrisburg and many thousands of others have worked, visited, or studied on the campus.

They have all been part of the history of what began as a small college in 1966 and has evolved into the major education and research institution it is today. From 18 students in 1966, the college has grown to nearly 4,000 in 2008.

To assure that vast history is documented while being accessible to the public, the Campus History Archives has been established by the library featuring an exhibit showcasing the many changes to the facilities, publications, and student life of the college.

Curated by American Studies student Benjamin D. Hoover, a library intern in fall 2008, the exhibit, which is open to the public through December 12, includes examples of the student yearbook and newspaper, official college publications, and a wealth of photos providing a window into campus and student life over the last 42 years.

For more information on the exhibit entitled “Our Campus Then and Now: Life at Penn State Harrisburg (1966-2008), contact Humanities Reference Librarian and Archivist Heidi Abbey at 717-948-6056 or Heidi.abbey@psu.edu .

The list of items in the exhibit includes:

1. Literary and Arts Magazine

• Tarnhelm, Spring 1988
• Tarnhelm, Spring 1997
• Tarnhelm, Spring 2007

2. Souvenirs

• Commemorative wooden figurine of the Library, 2000
• Baseball pen. souvenir created for dedication of the baseball field, August 22, 2007
• Tennis ball, souvenir created for dedication of the Hoverter Tennis Complex, September 2006

3. Photographs

• Students competing in a bathtub race, ca. 1970s
• Students playing football, ca. 1970s

4. Student Handbooks

• 1968 – 1968
• 2007 – 2008

5. Official Penn State Harrisburg Visitor’s Guides

• Penn State Capitol Campus brochure, 1981
• Penn State Harrisburg visitor’s guide, 2008

6. Photograph of original "Capitol Campus" Sign, ca. 1966-1970

7. Campus Yearbooks*

• Capitolite, 1970 (3rd year of publication)
• Capitolite, 1995 (Last year of publication)

8. Invitation and Program, 25th Anniversary Dinner and Dinner Dance, 1991

9. Official Penn State Harrisburg Stationery, 2007

10. Campus Newspapers

• The Capitolist, Volume 1, no.1 (October 31, 1969)
• C.C. Reader, Volume 8, no. 13 (April 19, 1979)
• The Capital Times, Volume 48, no.1 (September 10, 2008)