The Purpose of the Club is:
| To promote orientation of new members, |
| To promote good fellowship among members, |
| To furnish members with opportunities for mutally helpful association, |
| And to further the interests of The Pennsylvania State University. |
The History
When the Pennsylvania State College was small and rural in 1928, the
wives of faculty members and administrators along with the few female
faculty members welcomed new arrivals by founding a Newcomers’ Club.
In 1949, discussions about how to continue the social events and
contacts established during the two years of membership in the
Newcomers’ Club led to the organization of the Faculty Women’s Club
with 345 charter members. A decade later the college had become The
Pennsylvania State University and the club had grown to 740 members.
The Newcomers’ Club and the faculty Women’s Club began joint programs
and board meetings in 1971. In 1993, the name was changed to University
Women’s Club (UWC) to reflect the inclusive nature of the organization.
In 1998, Penn State alumnae became eligible for membership.
The UWC’s programming has remained remarkably unchanged over the years.
Interest groups have grown from the original five to over twenty. The
annual fall reception and the spring luncheon and business meeting
still open and close each season’s activities. Club events accommodate
diversity and include luncheons, interest groups, cultural events,
educational opportunities and various excursions.
The UWC’s philanthropic projects have met varying needs including the
presentation of a Penn State bookstore gift certificate to a State College High School
graduating senior who plans to attend Penn State and the establishment
in 2001 of the Penn State University Women’s Club scholarships. Those UWC scholarships
are awarded to one undergraduate student, and one graduate student each year to provide recognition and
financial assistance to two adult learners who are outstanding students at Penn State.
Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1991. The UWC hosted the Eleventh
Biennial Conference with grand style and enthusiasm on June 10-12, 2005.
The UWC enjoys a rich history of service to its members and to the
University. As a dynamic force destined to be influenced by changes in
society and the University, the UWC will continue to provide
opportunities for networking, intellectual growth, friendship, and fun
for women associated with Penn State. We are proud to have celebrated our 60th
Year Anniversary in 2009, and look forward to many more years of growth.
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