Fayette legislator: Convert Penn State Fayette into senior military college

A Fayette County legislator wants the Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus to become a senior military college.

State Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, R-Uniontown, said she plans to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly in the next few weeks to convert the campus in North Union into a military college once Penn State closes it at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

If the House approves the resolution, Krupa said it could pave the way for obtaining money for the study from sources such as the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The study would be the first step in determining whether the idea it is financially feasible and sustainable as an operation, as well as the possible demand and projected enrollment.

“I look at this (study) as an investment. This would be a fantastic opportunity for Southwestern Pennsylvania, the state and the nation,” Krupa said.

The proposed George Marshall Institute at the Eberly Campus would combine rigorous academic programs with structured military training and becoming part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Marshall, a Uniontown native, was the U.S. Army chief of staff during World War II.

Among the degrees that could be offered to students would be nursing, mechanical and civil engineering, business, accounting, political science and cybersecurity.

“We can transform it into a statewide and national asset that strengthens our workforce, supports our national defense needs and builds on Fayette County’s rich military heritage,” Krupa said in a statement.

She is seeking a study that would determine whether the Fayette campus is suitable for the senior military college model and the requirements for accreditation. The study would explore possible partnerships with the state National Guard, Defense Department and other colleges. The funding option from both government and the private sector would have to be known, as well as the economic impact on the community.

The Fayette campus is one of seven branch campuses, including New Kensington, that Penn State will close because of declining enrollment and finances. At the Fayette campus, enrollment had fallen to about 400 students last fall.

Krupa, like so many other public officials and community leaders, expressed frustration that Penn State has not revealed how it would dispose of those branch campuses, whether the land and facilities would be turned over to county government or donated or sold to a nonprofit or a corporation.

“Conversations with campus communities about future possibilities are just beginning, and no specific timeline has been established for decisions. We remain committed to engaging thoughtfully with stakeholders throughout this process,” said Andrew Krebs, a Penn State spokesman.

While ideas have been floated for the possible reuse of the campus and land along Route 119, establishing a military college would avoid the cost of converting the site to other uses. Penn State, krupa said, could possibly serve as the administrative agency for a military college.

Krupa said that the senior military colleges likely will attract a different level of students. The graduates of the senior military colleges have the option of being commissioned into the military, according to the Seniormilitarycolleges.com website: Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A&M and the University of North Georgia.

Fayette County Controller Robb Rhodes, a strong supporter of the proposal, said that dormitories and cafeterias would have to be constructed at the campus if it were to be a military college. The states where the other senior military colleges are located provide funding for those institutions, Rhodes said.

Fayette County Commissioner Scott Turner, chairman of the Eberly Campus Transition Team, could not be reached for comment on Friday.