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Private university in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gannon University is a private Catholic university with campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ruskin, Florida. Established in 1925, Gannon University enrolls approximately 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students annually and has over 47,000 alumni. Its intercollegiate athletics include 18 athletic programs for men and women competing at the NCAA Division II level.
| |
| Latin: Universitas Gannonensis | |
Former name | Villa Maria College (1925–1989) Cathedral College (1933–1944) Gannon College of Arts and Sciences (1944–1964) Gannon College (1964–1979) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Sanitas, Scientia, Sanctitas |
Motto in English | Health, Knowledge, Holiness |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1925 |
Religious affiliation | Catholic Church |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | $83.5 million (2022)[1] |
| President | Walter Iwanenko Jr. |
Academic staff | 200 full-time, 147 adjunct |
| Students | 4,596 |
| Undergraduates | 3,165 |
| Postgraduates | 1,431 |
| Location | , U.S. |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Maroon and gold |
| Nickname | Golden Knights |
Sporting affiliations | |
| Mascot | Victor E. Knight |
| Website | www |
 | |
Gannon University was first established in 1933 as the two-year Cathedral College by the Diocese of Erie under the leadership of Joseph J. "Doc" Wehrle.[2] In 1944, the school became the four-year men's school Gannon College of Arts and Sciences, named in honor of the then-Bishop of Erie, John Mark Gannon, the driving force behind its opening and development. The college became coeducational in 1964 and gained university status in 1979.[3][4]
The all-girls school Villa Maria College, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1925,[5] merged with the university in 1989.[6] Its Villa Maria School of Nursing retains the name of the original institution.
The university is organized into three main colleges: the College of Engineering and Business, which includes the Dahlkemper School of Business Administration; the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; and the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences.
Gannon University's campus is located in downtown Erie, primarily concentrated between Peach and Myrtle Streets and 3rd and 10th Streets. In summer 2015, a doctoral branch campus opened in Ruskin, Florida focusing on healthcare majors.[7]
Gannon University was ranked No. 260 in 2024 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. Its rank rose to No. 244 in 2025.[8]https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/gannon-university-3266
Gannon is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II. Gannon offers 19 Division II scholarship-granting varsity sports, that includes nine men's and women's teams. The men participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, water polo, wrestling, competitive cheer. The women participate in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, water polo, wrestling, acrobatics and tumbling, and competitive cheer and dance.
In June 2007, Gannon University, along with cross-town rival Mercyhurst College, was accepted into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, where area schools Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro and Slippery Rock University are members. Along with Gannon and Mercyhurst as full members, LIU Post also was accepted into the conference as an affiliate member.[9]
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