Campus Leadership

From the Chancellor & Dean

Welcome to Penn State Altoona

As a member of the Penn State Altoona family for more than twenty years, and now as its Chancellor and Dean, I have remained excited about the achievements of our college. I have witnessed remarkable growth, both in the quantity of building projects and enrollments as well as the quality of our student body, academic programs, faculty, and student activities. I am committed to its programs, people, and community and care deeply about the college and its continued success. We will continue to combine the rich educational tradition of a liberal arts college with the challenges and opportunities found at a modern university. Increasingly, we are becoming known for our teaching excellence, research and creative accomplishments, and civic, social, and cultural contributions.

I continue to be amazed by the accomplishments of Penn State Altoona's faculty, staff, and students, and the overwhelming support that Penn State Altoona enjoys from our community. I am grateful for the uncommon vision that our founders had in creating and shaping Penn State Altoona. From our humble beginnings at the abandoned Webster School building, one thing has remained constant—the unwavering support of our community and its leaders to advance opportunities for our citizens to access higher education. Remembering this spirit of ongoing community support, we at Penn State Altoona are committed to giving back to our local and extended communities.

Our growth since we opened our doors in 1939 would not have been possible without the support of many generous benefactors. Their vision and the commitment of our community, alumni, advisory board members, and friends have allowed us to achieve excellence. Working together, we can continue our tradition of excellence and advance our mission of engaging our students, the local community, and the Commonwealth in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge through our teaching, research, and outreach programs, while supporting a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment.

When I became Chancellor and Dean in 2005, I inherited a college with a bright future, well-positioned to be a leader in undergraduate education for many years to come. I remain excited about our future and invite you to explore our Web site and visit our campus to share in our enthusiasm and Penn State pride.

Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry
Chancellor and Dean