Gannon University is a private, co-educational Catholic University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Gannon University has an alumni base numbering around 44,500. Current enrollment is 4,410.
Gannon University was first established in 1933 as the two-year Cathedral College by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. In 1944, the school became the four-year men’s school Gannon College of Arts and Sciences, named in honor of the then-Bishop of Erie, John Mark Gannon, the driving force behind its opening and development. The college became coeducational in 1964 and gained university status in 1979.
The all-girls school Villa Maria College, which was founded by the Sister of St. Joseph in 1925, merged with the university in 1989. Its Villa Maria School of Nursing retains the name of the original institution.
Gannon’s Great Location
We are located in Pennsylvania’s fourth largest city and one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes. Gannon’s urban campus, in the middle of downtown Erie, is within a two hour drive of Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Our unique location and facilities create a special atmosphere conducive to learning, scholarship, research, service, and personal growth.
Facts and Figures for Gannon University
Founded: 1925
Profile: A four-year Catholic university, dedicated to providing a liberal arts education integrated with professional skills and faith-based learning.
Location: Situated in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, close to businesses, organizations and government agencies that are active partners in helping our students receive a hands-on education. Gannon University recently announced an additional site in Ruskin, Florida.
Academic Programs:
64 Bachelor Degrees
11 Pre-Professional Programs
24 Cooperative Professional School Options
7 Associate’s Degrees
23 Master’s Degrees
4 Doctoral Degrees
11 Online Degrees
Academic Year:
Fall and Spring semesters
Optional Summer semester
9-week ESL Sessions
Student / Faculty Ratio:
13:1
Student Population (Fall 2016):
3,098 Undergraduate
1,245 Graduate
4,343 Total Student Enrollment
Varsity Sports
20
Clubs/Organizations
130
Alumni
44,453
Financial Aid
Over $37 million awarded annually
Academic Offerings
Think about what you love to study, or where you imagine yourself working, or what you want to accomplish in the future. It’s possible at Gannon. Over 100 academic programs, including online and traditional Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degree options mean countless possibilities. Each of our majors includes opportunities to work and learn in professional settings.
Notable Alumni
Zahid Al-Khas, professional overseas basketball player
Kevin Benson, Meteorologist, for WPXI in Pittsburgh.
Ryan Bizzaro, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 3rd District.
John Brabender, Republican Political consultant.
Italo Cappabianca, former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Aaron Cox, professional baseball player in the Angels organization.
Daniel Cudmore, Canadian actor and stuntman
Richard E. Filippi, Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania 2001–2005.
William Gehrlein, notable researcher.
Matthew W. Good, former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Steve Grilli, former Major League Baseball player.
Robert J. Heibel, retired FBI Agent.
John Hornaman, former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Andy Lorei, professional soccer player for the Tulsa Roughnecks.
Jabs Newby, professional basketball player.
Mark L. Nelson, chemist, scientist and inventor of Omadacycline, a tetracycline antibiotic.
Bill Pepicello, President of the University of Phoenix.
Rocco Pugliese, prominent lobbyist in Pennsylvania, where he is the founder of Pugliese Associates.
Brad Roae, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2007–present.
Jonathan Scialabba, actor noted for roles in Outsiders (U.S. TV Series), Marshall (Film) and Those Who Kill (U.S. Tv V Series).
Joseph E. Sinnott, Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania 2006–2018.
John Stehr, former CBS News Correspondent, currently main anchor at WTHR in Indianapolis.
Thomas Joseph Tobin, American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.
R. Tracy Seyfert, former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Barbara Smith Warner, Member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 45.
The Honorable Diane E. Adkins- Tobin, Associate Judge, Harford County Circuit Court, State of Maryland, County of Harford, 3rd Judicial Circuit, since December 3, 2018. Serve until 2033. (PG).
PROGRAMS of Gannon University
Fields of Study
Business
Communication and the Arts
Education
Engineering and Computer Science
Health Professions and Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Nursing
Pre-Health
Public Service and Global Affairs
Undergraduate Programs
Accounting
Advertising Communication
Biochemistry
Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Business Administration
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Cyber Engineering
Cyber-security
Digital Media Communication
Dual Computer Science and Engineering
Economics
Education (Early Childhood)
Education (Middle Level)
Education (Secondary)
Electrical Engineering
English
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Science
Finance
Foreign Language
Freshwater and Marine Biology
Healthcare Management
History
Industrial Engineering
Information System
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Management
Journalism Communication
Legal Studies
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Laboratory Science
Mortuary Science
Nursing
Nutrition and Human Performance
Performance for Media and Stage
Philosophy
Political Science
Pre-Law (The Charles W. Deaner, Esq. ’48 Pre-Law Program)
