Thomas Henry Burrowes
Encyclopedia
Thomas Henry Burrowes was the fourth president of the Pennsylvania State University
, serving from 1868 until 1871. He also served as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
from 1835 until 1839. He also served as the ninth Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. He was born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania
in 1805 to Thomas Bredin Burrowes and Ann Henrietta Smith.
In 1868, Burrowes, an individual with much expertise in educational matters for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was consulted by the Board of Trustees, whom were seeking his advice in their search for a new President. The College had been plagued by financial troubles and was in danger of closing its doors. Burrowes suggested that they first and foremost choose a man who held administrative abilities. Burrowes himself was then offered the position of President of the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania (as Penn State was called at the time) and accepted only after the annual salary was raised from $2000 to $3000 per year.
A road named in his honor travels through the borough of State College
and the University Park
campus.
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, serving from 1868 until 1871. He also served as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administers the Pennsylvania Department of State of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania...
from 1835 until 1839. He also served as the ninth Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
. He was born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Strasburg is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It developed as a linear village along the Great Conestoga Road, stretching about two miles along path later known as the Strasburg Road...
in 1805 to Thomas Bredin Burrowes and Ann Henrietta Smith.
In 1868, Burrowes, an individual with much expertise in educational matters for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was consulted by the Board of Trustees, whom were seeking his advice in their search for a new President. The College had been plagued by financial troubles and was in danger of closing its doors. Burrowes suggested that they first and foremost choose a man who held administrative abilities. Burrowes himself was then offered the position of President of the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania (as Penn State was called at the time) and accepted only after the annual salary was raised from $2000 to $3000 per year.
A road named in his honor travels through the borough of State College
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
and the University Park
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
campus.