SCRANTON, PA. – Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti and all five members of Scranton City Council issued a letter to Penn State University’s leadership asking that it preserve its presence in the greater Scranton area.
“Scranton loves Penn State. It is a critical part of the network of colleges and universities that are easily accessible to Scranton residents,” Mayor Cognetti said. “The closure of the Penn State Scranton campus would remove an important option for local students and would have a negative impact on multiple other areas of the surrounding community.”
Per the letter dated March 3, 54 percent of Penn State Scranton’s 827 students are from Lackawanna County. Many of those students are first-generation college students who can achieve the dream of higher education because of nearby campuses and affordable tuition.
“Beyond education, the University contributes to our local economy,” the letter reads. “Students, faculty, and staff support our small business, housing, and other services in Scranton and Dunmore. The loss of the campus would not only impact the students, faculty, and staff but would also impact the broader community.”
Penn State President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi announced on February 25 that 12 of the university’s satellite campuses, including Scranton, are under review for closure at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
“The local campus is a point of pride,” the letter concludes. “We strongly urge you and the Penn State leadership to consider the impacts of this campus closing before you come to any decision.”
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.
You can read the full letter here: scrantonpa.gov/PSUScrantonLetter