Alliance College
Type | Private |
---|---|
Active | September 1912[1] | –June 30, 1987
Founder | Polish National Alliance |
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education[1] |
Location | , |
Campus | Rural |
Colors | red, white[2] |
Nickname | Eagles |
Alliance College was an independent, liberal arts college located in
History
The school was founded by the
The college initially specialized in Polish studies, in both history, as well as the polish language, however, by 1915 the college started to offer technical courses and before the end of
Alliance was also home to the Polish Museum of America, the first Polish museum in the country, which contained letters from George Washington to Polish leaders during the American Revolutionary War, however, the museum would burn down in 1931.[2] Classes were usually taught in English. It was nationally famous for its Kujawiaki folk dance ensemble.[2] It also operated exchange programs with Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
Following the college's closure, the campus was sold in 1990 to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which in 1992 opened
Polish collection
Alliance College's library housed the largest Polish collection (35,000 cataloged and 15,000 uncataloged volumes) in North America.[5] The collection was donated by the PNA to the University of Pittsburgh in 1991.
Legacy
The office of the registrar at
Despite the college no longer existing, Alliance College's alumni maintain an active digital presence to preserve the history of the school.[2]
Athletics
The school's sports teams were called the Eagles. According to College Football Data Warehouse, Alliance College played football only sporadically until after World War II. In four seasons after the war, Alliance compiled a 12–21 record. The 1948 team enjoyed a winning season. After losses to St. Francis (PA), St. Vincent (PA), Duquesne (PA), and Juniata (PA), the Eagles rebounded with five straight wins over Brockport State (NY), Lock Haven State (PA), Clarion (PA), Edinboro (PA), and Steubenville (OH). The Eagles won only one game in 1949 before dropping football in March 1950.
References
- ^ a b c "Proudly Polish College to Shut in Pennsylvania". New York Times. April 19, 1987. p. 39. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Alliance College". lostcolleges.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Urbanski 2009.
- ^ "SCI Cambridge Springs." Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ Alliance College Polish Collection
Further reading
- Urbanski, Michael T. (Spring 2009). "Polite Avoidance: The Story Behind the Closing of Alliance College". Polish American Studies. 66 (1): 25–42. S2CID 254448444.