“I believe anyone who has an interest in the history of Penn State and the lives of the individuals involved will enjoy this book [and] will learn of the lifestyles of college students in the last half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. It is my hope for every reader that this remarkable book can become something worth treasuring for years to come.” —George T. Henning, Jr., Foreword
Although Dr. Erwin Runkle wrote this history of Penn State during the 1930s, only now is it widely available. His meticulous reconstruction of the University’s birth and growth—from the revolution in American education that sparked its founding to its establishment as Pennsylvania’s land-grant college—brings the Penn State story to life with a rare blending of keen attention to detail and uncommon warmth. Runkle’s opinionated, but affectionate narration offers a revealing vision of the Nittany Valley’s rich past. Virtually every page holds a new treasure for any heart that truly loves the name of Dear Old State.
Captured directly from Runkle’s type-written manuscript and presented for a contemporary audience with an original introduction by former University trustee and renowned collector of Penn State historical artifacts George Henning, The Pennsylvania State College 1853-1932: Interpretation and Record will make a rare and special addition to the library of any Penn Stater.