Elizabethtown College


Elizabethtown College is a private college in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
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History

Founding and early years

Elizabethtown College was founded in 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren in response to an initiative by Jacob G. Francis. Francis advocated for Elizabethtown because of the proximity to the railways. First classes for the new college were held on November 13, 1900, in the Heisey Building in downtown Elizabethtown. During its first two decades, the college operated as an academy, offering a limited curriculum centering on four-year teaching degrees and high school type classes.

1920–1950

In 1921, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction accredited the college, and authorized its first baccalaureate degrees in arts and sciences. Later, in 1928, the college was approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for pre-law education. In 1948, Elizabethtown College became accredited by the Middle States Association.

Presidents

The college's presidents were referred to as principals prior to 1902.

Academics

The college maintains 19 academic departments, offering 53 majors and 90+ minors and concentrations.

Continuing education

Over 50 years, the college's adult program evolved into what is known today as the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The school offers graduate degree programs, including Master of Business Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, and Master of Music Education.

Honors program

Established in 1999, the Elizabethtown College Honors Program is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council. The Honors Program was founded with an endowment gift from The Hershey Company.

Student life

The Office of Student Activities serves as a co-curricular educator and facilitator in creating a social environment, such as through its T.G.I.S. and Student Involvement Fairs.
Elizabethtown offers student-run media that include a newspaper—The Etownian; a literary magazine—Fine Print; a television station—ECTV-40; a radio station—WWEC 88.3 FM; and a yearbook—the Conestogan. Elizabethtown is affiliated with the Brethren Colleges Abroad program, which allows students to study abroad.

Athletics

[file:Eliztown athletics wmark.png|thumb|Elizabethtown athletics mark]
Elizabethtown College is a member of NCAA Division III in the Landmark Conference. Although Elizabethtown College was founded in 1899, it was not until 1928 that the first officially sanctioned intercollegiate athletic contest was held. In April 2013, the college accepted the invitation to join the Landmark Conference, effective July 1, 2014.

Men's teams

  • Baseball started in 1930
  • Basketball started in 1928
  • Cross Country started in 1956
  • Golf started play in 1965. No seasons were held from 1978 to 1988, but it was reinstated in 1988.
  • Lacrosse started in 2002
  • Soccer started in 1938
  • Swimming started in 1964
  • Tennis started in 1948
  • Track and Field started in 1929
  • Wrestling started in 1954

Women's teams

  • Basketball started play in 1928.
  • Cross country started in 1956.
  • Field hockey started play in 1952.
  • Lacrosse started play in 2002.
  • Soccer started play in 1988.
  • Softball started play in 1979.
  • Swimming
  • Track and field was established in 1929, but disappeared quickly. It was reestablished in 1975, but the women's team ended because of a lack of participation in 1981. The team was brought back in 1998, but the college did not begin competing again until 2000.
  • Volleyball started in 1978

Former sports teams

  • Football was played for one season in 1928. It was not sanctioned by the college, but did play a full intercollegiate schedule.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty and staff