About Penn State Brandywine

In 1966, the Delaware County Commissioners requested that Penn State establish a local campus to serve residents of the county and surrounding area.

On September 25, 1967, Penn State Delaware County began offering classes in a temporary space underneath a roller skating rink — the Big C Rollerdrome — in the City of Chester, serving 236 students with 11 full-time faculty members. John D. Vairo was the founding campus director.

In December 1970, Penn State Delaware County moved to its current location in Middletown Township, where it offered classes in the newly constructed Main Building on a 50-acre property that was donated by the County of Delaware. The land had been a dairy farm in the 1800s and an apple orchard in the mid-1900s.

The campus continued to grow, with the John D. Vairo Library opening in 1980, the Commons/Athletic Center opening in 1988 and the Edward S. J. Tomezsko Classroom Building opening in 1998. The campus gymnasium has hosted several notable speakers, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — Bush while in office and Clinton after leaving office.

In 2007, the campus name was changed to Penn State Brandywine to better reflect the campus’ regional appeal.

Penn State Brandywine opened Orchard Hall — its first residence hall — and a new student union building in August 2017. With additional land acquisitions over the years, the campus property is now 112 acres.

Today, Penn State Brandywine serves nearly 1,400 students with 14 degrees that can be completed on campus and the first two years of more than 275 Penn State degrees, along with 16 intercollegiate athletic teams, numerous clubs and organizations, and opportunities for undergraduate research and internships.

Penn State graduates who have attended the Brandywine campus have distinguished themselves throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond in professions including business, government, community leadership, medicine, education and more.

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U. Ed. BWO 21-88