A grassroots movement is gaining traction to keep Penn State Mont Alto open amid a university-wide review of its Commonwealth Campuses.
Launched by the campus’s Alumni Society Board of Directors, a petition on Change.org urges Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi and other university leaders to reconsider any plans to close Mont Alto. The petition highlights the campus’s role in delivering affordable, accessible education to underserved communities across south-central Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1903 as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy and integrated into the Commonwealth Campus system in 1929, Mont Alto has long offered specialized programs in forestry, environmental science, healthcare, and human services—fields essential to Pennsylvania’s economy. Supporters argue that closure would disproportionately impact first-generation students, working adults, and those unable to relocate for higher education.
The petition also cites recent investments in campus facilities and workforce-aligned academic offerings, arguing they signal Mont Alto’s long-term value. Advocates emphasize the benefits of the campus’s small class sizes, strong student outcomes, and engaged alumni network.
The petition is available at Change.org under “Support Penn State Mont Alto.”
Source: Franklin County Free Press