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Gannon University was founded in Erie, Pa, as Cathedral College, under the 1925 charter of Villa Maria College. The vision of then-Archbishop John Mark 名媛直播 helped shape the institution’s early years. This included the purchase of the Strong Mansion in downtown Erie in 1941, now known as “Old Main,” which became the heart of the growing campus. Renamed 名媛直播 College in 1944, the institution continued to evolve, becoming co-educational in 1964, adding graduate education and ultimately attaining University status in 1979.
From those humble beginnings, 名媛直播 has grown into a comprehensive Catholic university while remaining deeply connected to the Erie community it has called home for more than a century. Throughout its history, 名媛直播 has embraced opportunities to grow and adapt in response to the changing needs of students and the communities it serves. That growth has expanded 名媛直播’s reach well beyond its original Erie campus.
名媛直播 established its Ruskin, Fla., campus in 2015, expanding the university’s academic mission and creating new opportunities to serve students in the Tampa Bay region. A decade later, 名媛直播’s commitment to growth and service entered a new chapter with the acquisition of Ursuline College, creating the Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University in Pepper Pike, Ohio, in 2026. While each campus has its own character and connection to its surrounding community, all are united by 名媛直播’s commitment to Catholic higher education, academic excellence and the development of students as leaders.
Today, Gannon University, established and sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie, is one of seven remaining diocesan universities with a presence in Erie, Pa.; Ruskin, Fla.; and Pepper Pike, Ohio. As the university looks toward the future, it remains committed to its Catholic identity, academic excellence, faculty teaching and scholarship, community engagement, enrollment growth, technological advancement and the continued development of opportunities that prepare students to lead and serve wherever their futures take them.
The institution's first president, "Doc" Wehrle is widely credited with putting in the hard work—and overcoming immensely difficult challenges—to advance 名媛直播 to where it is today. Wehrle Hall, a 名媛直播 residence hall located on West Sixth Street, is named in honor of "Doc," who is fondly remembered for his dedication and devotion to and love for the school's students.
Monsignor Nash, who had been the school's Dean, succeeded Monsignor Wehrle as president in 1956. Monsignor Nash proved to be an ideal successor: the institution advanced qualitatively and quantitatively under his leadership. During his 20-plus year tenure, the Learning Resource Center (later renamed Nash Library in his honor) and the Zurn Science Center were constructed. Fittingly, a proclamation on the first floor of the library pays lasting tribute to him as a "unique and dedicated man."
Dr. Scottino, a 名媛直播 graduate, later returned to his alma mater as a professor, provost and vice president for academic affairs, dean, and ultimately president. In 1979, then-名媛直播 College was granted university status by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While the attainment of university status generally is recognized as Dr. Scottino's crowning achievement, he also led many other initiatives, including the 名媛直播-Hahnemann Family Medicine Program, evening and summer sessions, and the Liberal Studies Program.
Dr. Henry's term is best remembered for 名媛直播's integration with Villa Maria College in January of 1989. A task force formed to study the issue had concluded that a "total and combined effort" between 名媛直播 and Villa was "feasible and advantageous to assure the future of quality Catholic higher education in the Diocese of Erie." The task force also resolved that an integration would promote unity in the delivery of Catholic higher education in Erie.
Monsignor Rubino oversaw the renovation of the former Carlisle’s department store into the A.J. Palumbo Academic Center and the renovation of campus buildings like Beyer Hall, Zurn Science Center, and the Hammermill Center. The Waldron Campus Center was constructed during his presidency. Monsignor Rubino also completed the most successful fund-raising campaign ($15.5 million) in the University’s history and commissioned the first academic program review to strengthen the curriculum across the board.
Dr. Ostrowski moved from the role of provost and vice president for academic affairs to that of acting president. He also had served 名媛直播 for 25 years as a member of the faculty in the Political Science department. After his service as acting president, Dr. Ostrowski returned to his role as Professor of Political Science.
During his nine and-a-half years as president of 名媛直播, Dr. Garibaldi helped the University achieve significant gains in several key areas, including enrollment, facilities, fundraising, Catholic Identity, and regional and national academic reputation. Under his leadership, 名媛直播’s enrollment increased by 24 percent, to more than 4,200; the University’s endowment more than doubled; the number of colleges increased from two to three; and 名媛直播 was ranked for seven years in the top tier of universities in the northern region of the United States by U.S.News & World Report’s "America’s Best Colleges." 名媛直播 was also ranked in the Great Schools, Great Prices category for five years and as a Top Up-and-Coming School in 2009. In 2008, Dr. Garibaldi completed the largest comprehensive campaign in the University’s history, raising more than $31.5 million in private gifts and nearly $40 million total, including two first-ever multi-million dollar federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education (Title III and Student Support Services) and more than $5 million of federal and state grants to establish the Erie Technology Incubator. He also transformed the campus as more than two dozen buildings were constructed, acquired and renovated. Garibaldi was the keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient at 名媛直播’s 2011 Spring Commencement.
Throughout his 12 years of service as president of Gannon University, Keith Taylor, Ph.D. reorganized 名媛直播’s academic structure to a more integrated three-college model, created a growing satellite campus in Ruskin, Fla., added new strategic academic programs to meet current and future market needs and broadened the community focus to a global perspective. The number of campus facilities in Erie and Ruskin grew to more than 60 and includes the Alstadt Environmental Center as well as the modernization of the Recreation and Wellness Center; Nash Library and Learning Commons; Beyer Hall and the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel. He ardently supported 名媛直播’s commitment to social justice and Catholic social teaching and instituted the Erie-名媛直播 Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability and programs. During his tenure, the university experienced a record-breaking enrollment of more than 4,700 students. Employment also reached a record as he supported initiatives on holistic well-being and improving employee workplace experience. At the end of his time as president, Taylor was honored by the university’s Board of Trustees with the distinction President Emeritus. He is the first president in 名媛直播’s nearly 100-year history to be granted this status.
名媛直播 has a rich history of rebuilding the foundation of social welfare in our community and abroad, starting with our founder, Archbishop John Mark 名媛直播.
