Harcum College
Encyclopedia
Harcum College is a two-year independent residential college located on Philadelphia’s Main Line in Bryn Mawr, PA. Harcum, “the College of Possibilities,” Philadelphia region's oldest independent, two-year college, was founded in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1915 by Edith Hatcher Harcum and her husband Marvin. It was the first college in Pennsylvania authorized to grant associate degrees.
They opened the Harcum Post Graduate School on October 1, 1915 in Melville Hall, with three students and five pianos. Edith's goal was to "start a school where the individual talent of each girl would be treated as an integral part of her education." Though her expertise was in the fine arts, Edith was also committed to providing a strong academic program.
In its early years, Harcum was a preparatory school, giving students the skills needed for college study. It quickly grew, soon adding junior college-level courses. Mr. Harcum, or "Uncle Marvin" as the students called him, was the first President. When he died in a car accident in 1920, Edith assumed the Presidency. She remained in that post for more than 30 years.
Leadership was eventually assumed by Philip Klein and Dr. Henry Klein. In 1956, Pennsylvania granted Harcum permission to be the first junior college in the Commonwealth's history to confer the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees. Tremendous building and expansion occurred in the 1960s with the addition of the Academic Center, Pennswood Hall, and Klein Hall. Historically a women’s college, Harcum began admitting male students during the 1970s and became officially co-educational in 2003.
Today, Harcum serves a variety of traditional and non-traditional students interested in Allied Health Science, Business and Human Services, while offering both a commuter and residential experience. Dr. Henry Klein served on Harcum's Board of Trustees for more than 50 years, holding the record for the longest serving board member at any university or college in the United States of America.
Also on campus is the college’s Cohen Dental Center, a 16-chair clinical facility with state-of-the-art facilities, which houses the Dental Clinic, Dental Laboratory and classrooms. The Veterinary Services building houses the Animal Care Facility and Animal Center Management Program offices.
Local attractions include various shops and restaurants on Lancaster Avenue and the Main Line’s Suburban Square—accessible by train or bus.
The campus is connected to center city Philadelphia by the Paoli/Thorndale Line
of Regional Rail.
The athletic teams are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association
.
History
Edith Hatcher, daughter of prominent Virginia clergyman and educator Dr. William E. Hatcher, was a talented concert pianist. In 1913, Edith Hatcher married Octavius Marvin Harcum. After the birth of their first child, Edith wrote "the concert career did not offer a chance for family stability" so they chose a venture that would combine "my talents as an educator and artist and his business vision and ability."They opened the Harcum Post Graduate School on October 1, 1915 in Melville Hall, with three students and five pianos. Edith's goal was to "start a school where the individual talent of each girl would be treated as an integral part of her education." Though her expertise was in the fine arts, Edith was also committed to providing a strong academic program.
In its early years, Harcum was a preparatory school, giving students the skills needed for college study. It quickly grew, soon adding junior college-level courses. Mr. Harcum, or "Uncle Marvin" as the students called him, was the first President. When he died in a car accident in 1920, Edith assumed the Presidency. She remained in that post for more than 30 years.
Leadership was eventually assumed by Philip Klein and Dr. Henry Klein. In 1956, Pennsylvania granted Harcum permission to be the first junior college in the Commonwealth's history to confer the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees. Tremendous building and expansion occurred in the 1960s with the addition of the Academic Center, Pennswood Hall, and Klein Hall. Historically a women’s college, Harcum began admitting male students during the 1970s and became officially co-educational in 2003.
Today, Harcum serves a variety of traditional and non-traditional students interested in Allied Health Science, Business and Human Services, while offering both a commuter and residential experience. Dr. Henry Klein served on Harcum's Board of Trustees for more than 50 years, holding the record for the longest serving board member at any university or college in the United States of America.
Academics
All instruction at Harcum is by professionals in their field; all students are given the opportunity to complete a career-related work experience either through required internships, clinical or practicum experiences, or service learning activities; all programs integrate liberal learning throughout their curriculum; and all students graduate with both career-specific and life-enriching skills. Programs are also offered online and at several sites throughout the Philadelphia region.Degree Programs
Harcum degree programs are divided into three distinct centers: Allied Health, Business & Professional Studies, and Human Services. See a complete list of programs here.Continuing & Professional Studies
Harcum also offers a variety of Continuing & Professional Studies on-campus and online courses and certificate programs. See Continuing & Professional Studies courses and certificates here.Main Campus
Harcum’s main campus is located in Bryn Mawr, PA on Philadelphia’s beautiful Main Line. The main campus buildings stretch along Montgomery Avenue, including the historic Melville Hall, Klein Hall, Bedford Hall, The Academic Center (which includes Harcum’s Library), historic Richter Hall and Pennswood Hall—the college’s main residence hall.Also on campus is the college’s Cohen Dental Center, a 16-chair clinical facility with state-of-the-art facilities, which houses the Dental Clinic, Dental Laboratory and classrooms. The Veterinary Services building houses the Animal Care Facility and Animal Center Management Program offices.
Local attractions include various shops and restaurants on Lancaster Avenue and the Main Line’s Suburban Square—accessible by train or bus.
The campus is connected to center city Philadelphia by the Paoli/Thorndale Line
Paoli/Thorndale Line
The Paoli/Thorndale Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line running from Center City Philadelphia to Thorndale in Chester County.-Route:This branch utilizes one of the oldest sections of what is now Amtrak's Keystone Corridor, an electrified 104-mile two to four-track high-speed route between Harrisburg...
of Regional Rail.
Athletics
Harcum College provides a variety of opportunities for students interested in an intercollegiate athletics program. Harcum offers athletic competition in men and women’s basketball and indoor and outdoor track & field as well as women’s volleyball and women’s soccer.The athletic teams are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
.
External links
- Harcum College's website
- MyHarcum--Where Alumni Connect
- Harcum on Facebook
- Harcum on Twitter
- The Harcum Junior College Records, containing materials from 1953 to 2006, are available for research use at the Historical Society of PennsylvaniaHistorical Society of PennsylvaniaThe Historical Society of Pennsylvania is a historical society founded in 1824 and based in Philadelphia. The Society's building, designed by Addison Hutton and listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historical Places, houses some 600,000 printed items and over 19 million manuscript and graphic items...
.