Campus History
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is a scenic hilltop campus on over 700 beautiful acres. Offering spectacular views of Lake Erie, the campus is also a big part of a vibrant surrounding community. The original buildings were donated by the Behrend family and have been preserved to maintain the look of a family estate. Modern architecture has been added to support new, up-to-date facilities and services. Each residence hall is named after a commander or ship involved in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Living Environment
There are several housing choices for students at Penn State Erie, from traditional rooms to suites. Traditional halls – Lawrence, Niagara, and Perry – house two first-year students per bedroom with one common bathroom on each floor. Senat Hall, where only Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) reside, features double-bedroom suites with a shared bathroom. Suite living is offered for upper-class students in Porcupine, Tiffany, and Tigress Halls, where eight students share a suite with two shared bathrooms. Almy Hall, which houses students in the Honors Program, and Ohio Hall house four upper-class students per suite with a shared bathroom. Upper-class students are also eligible to request housing in the on-campus apartments. Each apartment houses four students in two double-occupancy bedrooms and has a full bathroom, a living room, and a full kitchen.
Dining on Campus
There are great places to eat on campus, all conveniently located near the residence areas. The Gazebo at Dobbins is a full-scale, all-you-care-to-eat food court open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bruno’s Café, located in the Reed Building, offers great grab 'n go menu selections, specialty coffee and drinks, and delicious snacks. Bruno's is open late-night and weekends. Clark Café, located in RED-C, offers coffee, specialty drinks, and snacks.
Social and Recreational Opportunities
Penn State Erie is proud to offer NCAA Division III varsity sports programs, along with intramural programs for team and individual sports. The campus boasts over 80 student clubs and organizations, including student government, fraternities, sororities, and Lion Ambassadors. Plus, the campus often hosts movies, dances, guest speakers, and other special events.
