Establish a Strategic Plan Gannon’s first Strategic Plan: 20022007 was formally approved on Sept. 27, 2002 by the Board of Trustees— and the University’s growth and progress haven’t showed signs of slowing down since. After achieving many of the goals in the first plan and identifying new objectives, Strategic Plan II: 20082013 was approved in 2008. More than 20 new academic programs were developed and four existing ones were revised to better meet students’ needs. By Fall 2010, the University had added several education certificates, bachelor’s degrees in sports management and marketing and journalism communications and doctoral programs in physical therapy and organizational learning and leadership, just to name a few. Gannon was the first in the region to offer programs in both entrepreneurship and biomedical engineering in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In response to one of the strategic goals that noted the growing enrollment in health sciences majors in particular, in 2007 the University’s two-college structure changed to a new three-college format: the College of Engineering and Business, the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences and the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, named in honor of alumnus and Trustee Robert H. Morosky ’63, whose major gift that year made him the University’s largest donor to date. From the creation of the Erie Technology Incubator on campus to the groundbreaking for a new five-story, 100,000-square-foot residence hall in May 2010, Gannon has certainly seen its share of campus change during the last decade.
Jan. 29, 2007
The University has made 33 building and property acquisitions since 2001, like Gitnik Manse and Courthouse Commons in 2004 and the former Verizon building, which became the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center. Nearly 10 properties were purchased to provide additional student housing, including Harborview House Apartments in 2007 and Freshman Hall (formerly owned by the Sisters of the Divine Spirit) in 2010. Other longstanding buildings received state-of-the-art upgrades. For the first time since 1964, Gannon’s cafeteria underwent a complete renovation in 2003. The updated space now offers more food stations and features a lower-level seating area (formerly known as The Scrounge and now named Club LaRiccia) outfitted with a stage and entertainment system. In 2007, renovations began on the outside of Beyer Hall to replace paneling and windows. With a particular focus on sustainable design, an $18.5 million renovation of Zurn Science Center was completed in August 2009, offering students in the science and engineering departments state-of-the-art labs and enhanced classroom facilities.
“Since its construction in the early 1970s, the Zurn Science Center has been a center of academics on the Gannon campus. As science education evolved, the need to update Zurn became apparent.These renovations provided an improved learning environment for introductory students and dedicated research space for both faculty and students, increasing the learning and productivity for all who spend time in Zurn,” said Michael Bucholtz, Ph.D., chemistry professor. Members of the University’s Health Center and Counseling Services and the Office of Campus Police and Safety hosted a ribbon cutting and reception
Gannon unveils new Believe rebranding, which updates the University’s graphic appearance and target messages.
Sept. 16, 2007 Robert H. Morosky ’63 becomes Gannon’s largest donor ever with a major gift to name the University’s newest property acquisition, the former Verizon building, which houses the health sciences programs.
Fall 2007 University expands from a two- to a three-college structure.
Oct. 3, 2008 The Erie Technology Incubator hosts grand opening attended by state and local leaders.
Dec. 31, 2008 The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign concludes as the University’s largest and most successful fundraising effort in school history with more than $31.5 million total raised.
May 14, 2009 The Patient Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art high-fidelity training facility in the Morosky Academic Center, opens.
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