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Penn State Penn State, founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, was established as the Commonwealth’s sole land-grant institution in 1863. As a land-grant university, its mission is to improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania , the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service. In addition to its administrative and research hub at the University Park campus, Penn State has 23 other locations across Pennsylvania , including the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center , a premier medical institution. Penn State is one of the top 10 U.S. universities in size and is second only to UCLA in number of SAT scores received. In U.S. News & World Report’s America ’s Best Colleges 2005 listings, Penn State is tied for 16 th among national doctorate granting public universities. Many of the departments and graduate programs associated with CEKA are ranked among the top in the country by U.S. News and other sources.

Central Pennsylvania

Penn State ’s University Park campus is located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania in the town of State College . The town’s central location makes it a great starting point for exploring Pennsylvania sites and the entire Mid-Atlantic region. Many of our previous REU students have used free weekends to explore Baltimore (~3.5 hours away), Washington , D.C. (4 hrs), and New York City (5 hrs), as well as Pennsylvania ’s two largest cities, Philadelphia (3.5 hrs) and Pittsburgh (3 hrs).

A number of state parks are within an easy drive of the University Park campus and offer opportunities for beach swimming, hiking, fishing, water sports, and biking. During the summer, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts draws crowds to a large, juried art show that spans both town and campus. A 4 th of July Fest is capped by one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast.

Directions:

Air

Those traveling by plane can arrive at the University Park airport (Airport Code: SCE), which is serviced by US Airways Express, Northwest Airlink , United Express, and Delta Connection

Car

From New York City , the suggested route is via the George Washington Bridge to I-80. In Pennsylvania , exit I- 80 at exit 161 (Bellefonte) and follow PA Route 220 south to State College . Take exit 74 for Innovation Park/Penn State University.

From the Philadelphia area, take Philadelphia Schuylkill Expressway to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, leave the Turnpike at exit 247 (Harrisburg East), and follow I-283 to I-83 and proceed north on I-83 to the I-81 interchange. Then follow I-81 south to Route 322, 22 West exit. Proceed west on Route 322 through Lewistown to State College exit #74.

From Pittsburgh , follow Route 22 East to Duncansville, I-99/Route 220 North to Route 322 East to Mt. Nittany Expressway/State College exit #73,

Bus

Fullington Trailways (814-238-1100) and Greyhound Lines (814-238-7971) connections are available to and from State College .