A year of growth, reflection, and meaningful milestones
Across academics, enrollment, and campus development, Eastern University experienced one of the most significant seasons of growth in its history. Enrollment continued its rapid rise, bringing Eastern close to 10,000 students and reflecting growing confidence in Eastern’s mission. This momentum extended beyond the classroom. In 2025, Eastern announced a major campus expansion with the purchase of a portion of Valley Forge Military Academy & College’s property, adding 33 acres and opening new opportunities for athletics, housing, and long-term institutional growth. The expansion marks a pivotal step forward, positioning the University to better serve current students while planning intentionally for the future. Together, these milestones reflect a University experiencing exciting momentum grounded in our missional values of faith, reason, and justice. Here are some of the moments that shaped Eastern University in 2025.
Eastern’s Centennial Year
In March of 2025, Eastern University celebrated its 100 year anniversary with a week of events highlighting a century of academic excellence, faith-centered leadership, and community engagement. Centennial Week honored the legacy that has shaped Eastern while celebrating the momentum and vision carrying the University into its next chapter.
Read our Centennial Recap
History of EU
100 Years of Leadership From founder Charles T. Ball to current president Ronald A. Matthews, learn how transformative leadership across 100 years has guided Eastern’s growth and impact, and helped build the vibrant institution we see today. Read more
100 Years of Visionary History & Resiliency From a $26 founding investment to a century of shaping leaders and expanding theological education, explore the rich history of Palmer Theological Seminary and the legacy that still guides it today. Read more
The Faith-Rooted Vision Expands Building on its seminary roots, Palmer’s vision helped spark a transformation that expanded theological education into a college, and ultimately a comprehensive Christian university. This article explores how that transformation reshaped Eastern’s identity and mission for generations to come. Read more
Renovations & Upgrades
In 2025, Eastern continued investing in spaces that support learning, community, and student life. From academic buildings to athletic facilities, these upgrades reflect a commitment to creating environments that serve today’s students while planning for the future. Each project represents a thoughtful step forward in strengthening the campus experience.
Templeton Hall
Templeton Hall, the newly renovated and expanded home of the Templeton Honors College, opened in August 2025 with classrooms, collaborative spaces, an art gallery, and a recital hall that support deeper learning and community engagement across campus. The dedication ceremony celebrated this milestone in Eastern’s Centennial year and marked a bold investment in the future of honors education. Read more
Baseball Field
Eastern completed state-of-the-art upgrades to its baseball field in 2025, including a new synthetic turf surface, modern dugouts and bullpens, batting cages, enhanced fan amenities, and a large video board. These improvements create a premier venue for student-athletes and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting debut on the renovated field in the 2026 season. Read more
Studio 1300 Launch
In 2025, Eastern University launched Studio 1300, a 24/7 student-run radio station broadcasting from the St. Davids campus and available to listeners everywhere. The station, which streams through Live365 and Amazon Alexa, offers opportunities for students and community members to engage through shared programming and song requests. Studio 1300 is a true variety station, featuring student-created shows that reflect students’ interests and musical tastes, along with live discussions on sports, pop culture, and faith-oriented topics. Students personally curate the music for their shows, bringing a human touch that contrasts with algorithm-driven streaming, while the station also shares university announcements, event updates, and brief spiritual reflections throughout the day. Stream Studio 1300
Athletic Highlights
Eastern Athletics experienced a year of historic milestones, competitive success, and program growth in 2025. Our student-athletes made history, earned championships, and continued building a culture of excellence that reflects determination, teamwork, and school pride.
Football: MAC Championship & NCAA Tournament Eastern football reached a major milestone in 2025, capturing the program’s first-ever Middle Atlantic Conference Championship, and advancing to the NCAA tournament round three in just its third season of play. The championship season marked a defining moment for a young program that has grown rapidly since its launch, showcasing resilience, discipline, and competitive strength. The Eagles’ success reflected the steady development of the program and set a new standard for Eastern football moving forward. Read More Wrestling: First Season, New Era 2025 marked the kickoff of Eastern’s wrestling program, ushering in a new era for Athletics. Both the men’s and women’s teams competed in their first matches and tournaments, laying the foundation for a program built on grit, perseverance, and competitive spirit. The inaugural season represented an important step forward in adding a new dimension to Eastern’s athletics offerings. Read More about Men’s & Women’s Wrestling Women’s Flag Football: A Historic First Season In its first full season, Eastern’s women’s flag football team made waves with milestones that reflect both competitive progress and growing team identity. Throughout the year, the Eagles recorded historic firsts, including the program’s first tackle and first touchdown, while competing with heart against regional opponents. The team’s presence on the field symbolizes Eastern’s commitment to expanding opportunities and investing in the full breadth of Eagle Athletics. Read More
New Academic Programs
Eastern introduced a variety of new academic programs in 2025 designed to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly changing world. From fully online degrees to specialized certificates, these offerings expand access while strengthening academic impact.
100% Online Master’s in Applied Artificial Intelligence 100% Online BA in Criminal Justice 100% Online Minor in Criminal Justice 100% Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Innovation Foundations of Theological Education Certificate MEd in School and Mental Health Counseling 100% Online Certificate in Theological Studies 100% Online MBA with AI Business Strategy Concentration 100% Online Doctor of Ministry
New Accreditations
In 2025, programs within Eastern University’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences earned two major accreditations recognizing academic quality and career preparation.
- The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education received national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children through 2030
- The Graduate Reading Specialist Certification Program earned accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association, placing Eastern among a small group of institutions in Pennsylvania to receive this distinction.
Awards & Rankings
In 2025, Eastern University earned national and regional recognition that reflects our continued growth, student appeal, and academic strength. These rankings highlight Eastern’s expanding impact across the Philadelphia region, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Here are just a few of those accolades: Eastern Ranked Among Top 12 College Locations in Pennsylvania by Niche Eastern Tops PBJ List as #1 Largest MBA Program in Greater Philadelphia Eastern Rises to 8th Largest University in the Philadelphia Region Eastern University Ranks Among Top 10 Fastest Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Pennsylvania
As 2025 comes to a close, we give thanks for a year filled with milestones, growth, and shared purpose. Eastern’s Centennial reminds us of the faithful foundation on which the University was built, while new programs, facilities, and achievements point clearly toward the future. With gratitude for the journey behind us and confidence in the path ahead, we look forward to continuing this momentum together in the new year. Happy New Year, Eagles!