150th Anniversary of First Day of Classes at Peru State College

Peru, Nebraska – October 24 is the 150th anniversary of the first day of classes at what is now known as Peru State College. On June 20, 1867, the fledgling state government of Nebraska named Peru, Nebraska, as the home of the state’s first college. The college was a Normal School dedicated to training teachers.

 

Following the school’s founding, Ernie Longfellow wrote in “The Normal on the Hill,” “The first term opened October 24, 1867, with thirty- two pupils enrolled in the Normal School.”

 

The comparatively late start in 1867 followed the harvest. The first day of classes at Peru State this year was August 21.

 

October 24, 2017 will see several events on campus to honor the College’s first day of class anniversary. Alumni, former faculty and staff members, community members or other friends of the College interested in attending some or all of the October 24 Celebration are welcome.