Economic Impact Study Commissioned

Bloomsburg University recently selected Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), Moscow, Idaho, to conduct an economic impact study. The study will analyze our university's contribution to the regional economy through personal and institutional spending, directly and indirectly.

When BU’s economic impact was last studied in 2006 as part of a PASSHE-wide project, it showed the institution annually contributed more than $121 million to the local economy.

As Columbia County's largest employer, BU is also one of the region's major economic drivers, annually contributing more than $357 million statewide and is responsible for creating more than 4,100 jobs across the state and 1,400 jobs locally.

Spending by the university and its students, visitors, faculty and staff generated more than $148 million and indirect revenues for local individuals and businesses totaled nearly $209 million.

EMSI has conducted more than 1,300 comprehensive socioeconomic impact studies for two- and four-year colleges and universities since its founding in 2000, including a 2010 survey for Slippery Rock University.

#SenseOfCommunity

Celebrating 175 years of excellence

One hundred seventy-five years of outstanding educational opportunities. Certainly, a milestone to celebrate at a time when Twinkies have a shelf life of 45 days, a total knee replacement takes a surgeon 40 minutes to complete and the latest technology seems to become obsolete the moment it leaves the store.

Times were different when our predecessor, the Literary Academy, was established in 1839 “to teach the elements of a classical education.” That year in Lexington, Mass., an experimental normal school opened as the first state-funded institution in the nation specifically established for teacher education. Starting with just three students, the school in Massachusetts could be considered an early example of what our academy would become when it was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1916 and renamed the Bloomsburg State Normal School.

Our institution has grown over the ensuing decades with name changes to reflect its expanding mission, from state teachers college to state college and today’s Bloomsburg University. However, the values that form Bloomsburg’s foundation have remained: collaboration, community, critical thinking, diversity, excellence, integrity, knowledge, opportunity, respect and personal and professional growth. It was these values, aligned so well with my own, that attracted me to the Bloomsburg University presidency six years ago.

I am proud to be part of this special celebration as Bloomsburg University’s 18th president. I am even prouder of the successes of the nearly 85,000 alumni who graduated from our institution over the years and of the potential of our more than 10,000 current students.

Throughout 2014 we will celebrate our history and our future. Please join us!

• 175, online BU history game, January
• Bloomsburg University 175 calendar, January
• Special issue of Bloomsburg: The University Magazine featuring 175 Reasons to Celebrate Bloomsburg University, February Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program with guest speaker Myrlie Evers-Williams, Feb. 25
• College of Liberal Arts’ Taste of the Arts, March 8
• Anniversary-related exhibits in Andruss Library, March and October
• Alumni Weekend, May 16 to 18
• Community movie nights on the Academic Quad, July
• Athletic Hall of Fame induction, Sept. 12
• Celebration of BU Athletics, Sept. 13
• Book release, updated BU history by Robert Dunkelberger, university archivist, fall
• Homecoming, Oct. 10 to 12
• President’s Gala, Oct. 11

#BU175