Cedar Crest College is a private liberal arts women's college in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States.^[1] During the 2006-2007 academic year, the college had 1,000 full-time and 800 part-time undergraduates and 85 graduate students.^[2]

Founded in 1867, the college is historically tied to the United Church of Christ, though it remains independent academically.^[3] Cedar Crest is one of two four-year colleges located in Allentown. Muhlenberg College, a liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, like Cedar Crest, is located in Allentown's West End.^[4]

Academics

For the past two decades, Cedar Crest has been ranked among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S News & World Reports annual "America's Best Colleges" survey.^[5] The college's bachelor of arts and science programs span more than 50 majors, from Fine Arts and Environmental Biology to Nursing Science and Business Administration. The curriculum also includes programs in Pre-Law, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. In addition, Cedar Crest offers graduate degrees in Education and Forensic Science.^[2] Undergraduate and graduate programs are also offered to adult students through the college's Center for Lifelong Learning.^[6]

Campus

Cedar Crest is located off Cedar Crest Boulevard at 100 College Drive on the western edge of Allentown.^[1] The 84 acre campus is adjacent to the city's Cedar Beach Park.^[7]

Campus buildings include Blaney Hall administration building, Cressman Library, Tompkins College Center, Dorothy Rider Pool Science Center, Donald P. Miller Family Building for art, science and peace, Harold and Miriam Oberkotter Center for Health and Wellness, Alumnae Hall for art and performing arts, Rodale Aquatic Center for Civic Health and Lees Hall gymnasium and fitness center.^[8] Additional classroom and faculty buildings include Hartzel Hall, Curtis Hall and Hamilton Boulevard Building.^[8][9] The college also has four residence halls: Butz Hall, Moore Hall, Steinbright Hall and the upper level of Curtis Hall.^[10]

Cedar Crest's collection of 140 species of trees is designated as the William F. Curtis Arboretum, which is registered with the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.^[8] The arboretum is named for the college's seventh president, who after purchasing the property in 1915, beautified the campus by planting flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world.^[11]

The campus is also the site of the Da Vinci Discovery Center, an independent science demonstration facility that opened in 2005.^[12]

Athletics

Cedar Crest competes in NCAA Division III athletics and has teams in basketball, cross country running, equestrianism, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and tennis. In addition, the Rodale Aquatic Center on campus is home to the college's non-competitive swimming club. During the 2007 season, the Cedar Crest Falcons tennis team placed 4th in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC). The team also broke two school records, one for the most number of wins in a season (12) and one for the most number of PAC wins (7). The team's record was 12-3. The Falcons are coached by Lynn Pigliacampi, who is two games away from becoming Cedar Crest's winningest tennis coach. Pigliacampi is a Drexel graduate who played both at local Easton High School, where she was undefeated, and at Division I Drexel University. Her father, Jules Pigliacampi, is Cedar Crest's assistant coach.

Traditions

• Under the college's "Big Sis, Little Sis" program, each freshwoman is assigned a "Big Sister," who serves as her mentor.
• A strawberry festival is held in the fall for all incoming students. The entire campus enjoys strawberries and whipped cream, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry lemonade, and related refreshments. The event is held on the front lawn of the President's home.
• Incoming students introduce themselves on the steps of Blaney Hall, where they are welcomed by the entire Cedar Crest community.
• Each year, juniors receive their class rings at a special ceremony. The design of the rings has not changed in decades. As a result, many students have rings identical to those of their mothers, aunts and grandmothers.
• Free Road Trips are offered to students to the neighboring cities of Philadelphia and New York City, as well as to college sporting events.

Notable alumnae and faculty

• Fred Benjamin Gernerd, former Congressman and former Cedar Crest trustee
• Frank Reed Horton, first national president of Alpha Phi Omega and former professor
• Judy McGrath, graduate and CEO of MTV Networks
• Diane Moyer, former Olympic field hockey player and current chair of the psychology department
• Pauline Tompkins, first female president of Cedar Crest College
• Carol Welton Kelly, founding director of the Cedar Crest College Dance Department

References

External links

• Cedar Crest College Official Web Site.
• Cedar Crest College profile at collegedata.com.