Governor Edward G. Rendell presented a $5 million check to Seton Hill University President JoAnne Boyle for the creation of the Seton Hill University Center during a visit to Greensburg on Saturday, April 17. The funding was provided through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), which helps rejuvenate Pennsylvania’s downtown areas.

"This project will create a stronger cultural, educational and mercantile base in Greensburg that will encourage tourism, enhance a vibrant college town and create jobs," said Governor Rendell. "When Seton Hill approached me about this project, they weren’t asking for money for up on their campus. They wanted to come down here and work with the city, to create a marriage between the University and the City of Greensburg." "Seton Hill’s new programs are going to make Greensburg sparkle," added Governor Rendell. "Pennsylvania’s cities are coming back, and Greensburg is going to lead the way."

"So many people have helped us with this dream, from the time when it was just a dream," said Seton Hill University President Dr. JoAnne Boyle. "We’ve had support from all levels of government and all facets of our community. Much work has already been done to revitalize Greensburg. We think the University Center project will provide vitality to our city – not just youth, but economic vitality. Life after dark."

The Center is being created through a partnership of Seton Hill University, the City of Greensburg, the Westmoreland Trust and the Greensburg Salem School District. The Center will help revive the Greensburg cultural district by building on the momentum of the recently restored and renovated Greensburg Train Station, Palace Theatre and historic Stark and James buildings.

Seton Hill University’s new $11.3 million Center for the Arts includes an interconnected flexible theatre building and a recital hall for premier academic programs in music and theatre. The building will front on Ehalt Street, Harrison Avenue and Otterman Street. In phase two of the project Seton Hill, working with the Economic Growth Connection and the Chamber of Commerce, plans to open incubators for start-up businesses supervised by Seton Hill’s National Education Center for Women in Business (NECWB). Also in phase two Seton Hill will renovate an existing building for use as an inn to serve the University’s hospitality and tourism program.

Seton Hill, chartered in 1918, is a coeducational Catholic liberal arts university with more than 30 undergraduate programs and 7 graduate programs, including an MBA. Seton Hill brings the world to its students through its distinguished lecturers and nationally and internationally renowned centers. For more information on Seton Hill please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 1-800-826-6234.