Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown College is a private college affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The college was founded in 1899 by Thompson Hall, George Samuel Young, and Jacob G. Francis, with the goal of providing a liberal arts education similar to those offered by Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University. The college's early development was influenced by the Brethren in Christ Church and the Church of the Brethren, with notable figures such as Alexander Mack and Christopher Sauer contributing to its growth. The college's founding was also shaped by the Industrial Revolution and the Social Gospel movement, with leaders like Jane Addams and John D. Rockefeller advocating for social reform and education.

● History

The history of Elizabethtown College is closely tied to the Church of the Brethren, with the college serving as a primary institution for the denomination. The college's early years were marked by significant growth, with the establishment of programs in theology and ministry modeled after those at Andover Newton Theological School and Yale Divinity School. The college also developed strong ties with other Church of the Brethren institutions, including Bridgewater College and Manchester University. During World War I and World War II, the college played an important role in supporting the war effort, with many students and faculty members serving in the United States Army and United States Navy. Notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton visited the college during this time, and the college's ROTC program was established in partnership with West Point and the United States Military Academy.

● Academics

Elizabethtown College offers a range of academic programs, including majors in business administration modeled after those at Wharton School and Harvard Business School, engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Center for Community and Civic Engagement and the Institute for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, which partner with organizations like the Brookings Institution and the Cato Institute. The college's faculty includes scholars with expertise in fields such as physics, biology, and psychology, with many holding degrees from top institutions like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley. The college's academic programs are also influenced by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

● Campus

The Elizabethtown College campus is located on a 200-acre site in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, with a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Leffler Chapel and Performance Center and the Brossman Commons. The campus is also home to a number of sustainability initiatives, including a wind turbine and a geothermal heating and cooling system, modeled after those at Middlebury College and University of California, Santa Barbara. The college's campus is situated near a number of notable landmarks, including the Harrisburg Capitol building and the Lancaster Central Market, and is accessible by public transportation via the Amtrak and Greyhound Lines.

● Student Life

Elizabethtown College offers a range of student life programs and activities, including over 80 student organizations and clubs, such as the Elizabethtown College Choir and the Elizabethtown College Jazz Band, which have performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The college also has a strong commitment to community service, with many students participating in programs like AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity, and partnering with organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The college's student life programs are also influenced by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association.

● Athletics

Elizabethtown College's athletic teams, known as the Blue Jays, compete in the NCAA Division III and the Landmark Conference, with teams in sports such as basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. The college's athletic programs are also affiliated with the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and have produced notable athletes like Calvin Johnson and Peyton Manning, who have gone on to compete in the NFL and the Olympic Games. The college's athletic facilities include the Ira R. Herr Field and the Wolf Field, which have hosted events like the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship and the Landmark Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

● Alumni

Elizabethtown College has a strong network of alumni, with over 20,000 graduates worldwide, including notable figures such as Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Nelson Mandela, who have gone on to become leaders in fields like politics, business, and social justice. The college's alumni association is affiliated with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the American Alumni Association, and offers a range of benefits and services to graduates, including career counseling and networking opportunities. Many alumni have also gone on to attend top graduate programs at institutions like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Columbia University.