Since 1950, Penn State Abington students have been walking the halls of the Sutherland Building, hanging out around the duck pond, climbing "cardiac hill," and hunting for a closer place to park.

Much has changed since the fall day in 1950 when the campus opened as the Penn State Ogontz Center, but much remains the same-the beauty of the changing seasons, the elegant buildings, and the laughter of students. 

The property was gifted to Penn State, complete with trees and ducks, by Abby Sutherland, headmistress of the Ogontz School for Young Ladies (1850-1950). In 1915, she tasked Philadelphia's Horace Trumbauer firm with developing the historic Sutherland Building and its stunning solarium. Julian Abele, an African-American architect who earned little recognition during his lifetime, developed the dignified design.  

Abby Sutherland lived in the Lares Building, where a modern terrace now overlooks the stream-fed pond and fountains, until her death. Lares houses Student Affairs, the cafeteria, the bookstore, and it is always filled with events and activities hosted by student organizations and clubs. 

Next door, the historic Springhouse was once used by the Ogontz School to keep dairy products cool and fresh. Today, there are classrooms and the Collegiate Recovery Program under its charming shingled roof. It is the only building on campus that has been struck by lightning - twice!

Penn State Abington mixes historic architecture and landscaping with modern computer labs, library, and science facilities.

Traversing the hilly campus can help you stay fit, but if want more, Abington offers indoor and outdoor athletic facilities to support our NCAA Division III men’s and women’s teams, intramurals and yoga and mindfulness classes.

The first campus residence hall, Lions Gate Student Apartments, opened to 400-plus students in 2017. The summer 2025 ended with new and renovated biology labs making their debut in Woodland.

A new academic building is scheduled to be completed for the fall 2026 semester. The $68 million building's highlights include 17 new classrooms as well as collaborative laboratories and studios to prepare students for the global workforce.

Penn State Abington welcomes students from the region and and around the world. It sits less than five miles from Philadelphia, and it's within walking distance of public transit. The Abington Experience provides students with a roadmap to take them from campus to career.

Past Photos

The hilly campus includes the steep Sutherland stairs.

students walking on campus with Sutherland stairs in the background

Credit: Penn State
students studying in the woodland lobby in black and white photo

The Woodland Building lobby in the 1990s.

Credit: Penn State
two photos stacked on top of one another of students signing up for classes

In 1977, students registered for classes in the Athletic Building.

Credit: Penn State
Lares and Sutherland pathway with students sitting on a hill in black and white photo

The Lares and Sutherland path.

Credit: Penn State
Lares Building in black and white photo

Lares Building

Credit: Penn State
large gathering in the gym in 1979

Spring 1979

Credit: Penn State
two students sitting on a bench in front the the duck pond

The duck pond nestled between Lares, the Springhouse and Woodland buildings.

Credit: Penn State
Bookstore in Rydal Building 1966

The bookstore was housed in the Rydal Building in 1966.

Credit: Penn State
group of students standing in front of Sutherland building in 1964

The Sutherland Building, 1964.

Credit: Penn State

Present Photos

Woodland building in the distance with the duck pond and fountain in the foreground

Woodland building and the duck pond

Credit: Penn State
Sutherland Stairs

Sutherland Stairs

Credit: Penn State
Sutherland front door

Sutherland front door

Credit: Penn State
Side of Sutherland building

Side of Sutherland building

Credit: Penn State
Lares building in the background with the duck pond and students sitting at tables/benches

Lares building and duck pond

Credit: Penn State
Student walking into Lares

Student walking into Lares

Credit: Penn State
Students talking on stairs outside with a pond showing in the background

Students talking on the Woodland stairs

Credit: Penn State
Students walking

Students walking

Credit: Penn State
Lares building in the distance with a stream in the foreground showing a reflection of the building

Lares building and stream reflection

Credit: Penn State
Students by pond

Students by pond

Credit: Penn State
Lion Shrine

Lion Shrine

Credit: Penn State
Lares building

Lares building

Credit: Penn State