Penn State Shenango began in 1965 and has served as a vital asset to the city of Sharon and to Mercer County even through and after the steel industry collapse.

It has come to our attention that Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi is exploring the closure of this critical asset to the economy of the city of Sharon and Mercer County, citing low enrollment and the potential decline in the population in the next 30 years.  Such a closure will have an adverse and irreversible effect on the local economy as small businesses around the campus and surrounding areas will close.

Neeli Bendapudi is making the biggest mistake of her career.  The campus has been adding new academic and athletic programs in recent years.  Monies have been contributed towards student scholarships.  There is new development within walking distance to potentially entice prospective students.  The campus is critical to adults over the age of 25 who haven’t achieved a college education.  Folks like myself did not spend five and a half years as students at Penn State Shenango only to see the campus close down long after graduation.  This campus is a special place in our hearts and our lives, hence the slogan “The Small Campus with a Big Heart”.  This is not the acceptable time to consider a rash decision due to the potential adverse consequences on the local economy.  The Penn State Shenango campus is critical to the economy of the city of Sharon and Mercer County.  We are making it very clear that a closing of the campus will be personally embarrassing to us, our families, friends, the entire Shenango Valley and all of Mercer County.  The local economy will suffer with a campus closure.