PSU Fact Sheet
History:
In 1903, Pittsburg State opened as the State Manual Training Normal School Auxiliary under the State Normal School of Emporia. Russell Station Russ, then superintendent of the Pittsburg schools, was selected principal of the new Normal School.
The School opened Tuesday, September 8, 1903, with 54 students and five faculty members in a new building provided by the City of Pittsburg.
The institution became a four-year college in 1913 and became Kansas State Teachers College in 1923. In 1959, the year that KSTC became known as Kansas State College of Pittsburg, the school had an enrollment of 2,800.
More than 20 major buildings have been added to the campus, including Hartman, Porter and McCray Hall, the Student Union, four residence halls, Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium and the Kansas Technology Center.
On April 21, 1977, KSCP achieved university status and was named Pittsburg State University. Today, the University has an enrollment of approximately 6,500 students.
University Seal:
The University Seal, redesigned in 1994, reflects the mission of instruction, research and service and also symbolizes the history, traditions, and future of the University.
The first circle from the outside represents the University's future. The second circle identifies the University's name; the wheat sheaves symbolize the State of Kansas.
The third circle includes the initials and dates for the previous names of the institution and identifies the mission of Pittsburg State University.
The fourth circle contains an etching of the front entrance to Russ Hall with its four columns, the first building on campus.
Gorilla History:
The Pittsburg State University Gorilla is one of the most unusual mascots on any university campus in the country today.
The Pittsburg State University Gorilla was conceived in October 1920 by a group of young men, under the leadership of Harold "Babe" Alyea, who organized themselves as a pep squad in order to "accelerate college spirit and enthusiasm until it shall permeate the State."
In 1923, the Gorillas had art student Helen Waskey make a drawing of the mascot. Two years later, they offered their mascot to the school. On January 15, 1925, the student body unanimously adopted the "ferocious beast . . . as a name and synonym for the athletic teams."
During the summer of 1980, artist and alumnus Ted Watts recreated the original ferocity of the mascot now known as "Gus".
University Facts:
Pittsburg State University is situated on 233 acres. PSU employs approximately 700 faculty and staff members and maintains 54 buildings on campus.
There are approximately 6,500 students attending PSU the fastest growing state university in Kansas. Students at PSU may choose from more than 100 outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs.
Athletics:
Pittsburg State University has a highly successful athletic program, consisting of 13 sports that have competed as members of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1989.
Women's programs include basketball, cross country, track and field, softball and volleyball. Men's programs are baseball, basketball, football, track and field, cross country and golf.
The following is a recent list of national recognition that PSU athletes, coaches and teams have accomplished:
- National football champions - 1957, 1961, 1991
- PSU football has had the most winning record in college football at any level in the 1990s.
- Since 1990, PSU has produced more All-American athletes than any other NCAA Division II school.
- PSU Coach Russ Jewett was named the 1995 Women's Track and Field Indoor Coach of the Year. The women's team has won 20 out of 31 conference championships during Coach Jewett's tenure.
School Colors:
In September 1903, a committee of four students proposed to Principal Russ that the school color be crimson.
PSU students Gussie Stevens, Pressie Chandler, William Matthews and Emma Gallager were all part of the committee for the first school color.
Crimson remained the only school color until 1920, when crimson and gold were chosen to represent the institution.
Fight Song:
Pittsburg State team, fight for your college!
Come and join the fray!
Pass that ball around for a touchdown
And we'll win this game today!
Fight! Fight! Fight! for the glory and fame
Because our spirit is so great!
And when this game is over
We'll shout the whole world over:
Pittsburg State!
The Apple Day Tradition:
It was with the building of what we call Russ Hall that Apple Day came about. Several different versions of the Apple Day story have been handed down through the years. The most popular of the folklore involved Principal Russ Station Russ.
Mr. Russ spent considerable time in the State Legislature of 1907 during the debate for an appropriation for the first school building. As the issue was drawing to a close, the legislators lightheartedly reviewed the problem of non-members of the House appearing on the floor, and the motion was made that the next offender be fined a barrel of apples. Shortly after, Russ appeared on the floor to inquire about he progress of the bill and was duly fined a barrel of apples.
The incident was reported in Pittsburg, and Russ discussing this with students, suggested that they fine the faculty a barrel of apples. The motion passed unanimously, and a bewildered faculty paid the fine. Since that first observance on March 8, 1907, Apple Day or Commemoration Day has become an event to be noted on the Pittsburg State campus. Annually, this traditional fine is assessed by the student body, and the apples furnished by the Faculty Association are passed out to all those present at the Apple Day Convocation.
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