William Penn University

Last updated

William Penn University
Former names
Penn College (1873–1933)
William Penn College (1933–2000)
Type Private university
Established1873
Religious affiliation
 Quakers [1]
President John E.E. Ottosson
Students1,372
Location
Oskaloosa, Iowa
,
U.S.

41°18′32″N92°38′53″W / 41.3090°N 92.6481°W / 41.3090; -92.6481
CampusRural
Colors   
Navy Blue & Gold
Nickname Statesmen
Sporting affiliations
 NAIA – Heart of America Conference
MascotStatesmen
Website www.wmpenn.edu
Penn College Historic District
The Spencer Chapel.jpeg
Spencer Memorial Chapel (1923)
Area13.75 acres (5.56 ha)
Architect A. T. Simmons
Proudfoot, Bird and Rawson
Architectural style Prairie School
Colonial Revival
MPS Quaker Testimony in Oskaloosa MPS
NRHP reference No. 96000391 [2]
Added to NRHPApril 4, 1996

William Penn University is a private university in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1873 as Penn College. In 1933, the name was changed to William Penn College, and finally to William Penn University in 2000.

Contents

History

Originally founded as Penn College, William Penn University opened on September 24, 1873. [3] The college's name was changed to William Penn College in 1933. In 2000, the name was changed again from William Penn College to William Penn University.

In 1916, a fire destroyed the original campus and caused two deaths when a 4-ton bell crashed through the main building. Penn College's business manager Robert Williams and freshman student Harry Oakley were killed after being struck by the bell.

In 1995, William Penn's "College for Working Adults" was founded, which enrolls non-traditional students in an evening program of accelerated study. In January 2000 the university returned to the NAIA Division II. William Penn University is currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. [4]

In 2007, Musco Lighting, an Oskaloosa based lighting manufacturer, donated $12 million to the school for various projects—the biggest single gift in the school's history. The money was to be used for 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) of new structures including student recreation, classrooms, laboratories, and a stand-alone Industrial Technology Center building called the Musco Technology Center (MTC), which is home for the expanding Digital Communication Program. [5]

Historic district

Part of the campus has been set aside as a nationally recognized historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. [2] At the time of its nomination, it contained ten resources, which included one contributing site, four contributing buildings, two contributing structures, two non-contributing buildings, and one non-contributing structure. [6] The focus of the district is the Quadrangle, which is the main contributing site. Penn Hall (1917), Lewis Hall (1917), the Central Heating Plant (1917), and Spencer Memorial Chapel (1923) are the historic buildings. The historic structures are two Memorial Gates (c. 1918). Bloomington, Illinois architect A. T. Simmons designed the conceptual plan for the campus and the plans for individual buildings. He also designed the memorial gates; which were erected on May 20, 1918. The campus mainly features the use of Prairie School architecture. [6]

Campus ministries

Per the school's website: "At William Penn University, students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in religious life programming. Programming sponsored by Campus Ministries is Christian in orientation and interdenominational in nature. Campus Ministry assists students to explore questions of faith in a nurturing environment and discover spiritual resources to face life's challenges." [7]

Athletics

The William Penn athletic teams are called the Statesmen. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (The Heart) since the 2015–16 academic year. The Statesmen previously competed in the defunct Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) from 2001–02 to 2014–15 (when the conference dissolved); as well as in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC; now known as the American Rivers Conference since the 2018–19 academic year) of the NCAA Division III ranks from 1962–63 to 2000–01 (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1922–23 to 1953–54).

William Penn competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, volleyball and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field, volleyball and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheer & dance and shotgun sports.

Men's basketball

The men's basketball teams have had significant success, finishing as the runner-up in the 2013 NAIA Division II men's basketball tournament. In 2014 William Penn set a record for points scored in the NAIA National Basketball Tournament. [8]

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilford College</span> College in Greensboro, North Carolina, US

Guilford College is a private liberal arts college in Greensboro, North Carolina. Guilford has both traditional students and students who attend its Center for Continuing Education (CCE). Founded in 1837 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Guilford's program offerings include such majors as Peace and Conflict Studies and Community and Justice Studies, both rooted in the college's history as a Quaker institution. Its campus has been considered a National Historic District by the United States Department of the Interior since 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumberland University</span> Priviate university in Lebanon, Tennessee, US

Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee. It was founded in 1842. The oldest campus buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1896.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa Wesleyan University</span> Private university in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, US

Iowa Wesleyan University was a private university in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, United States. It was Iowa's first co-educational institution of higher learning and the oldest of its type west of the Mississippi River. The institution was affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It closed at the end of the 2022–23 academic year due to financial challenges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Virginia University Institute of Technology</span> Public college in Beckley, West Virginia, US

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public college in Beckley, West Virginia. It is a divisional campus of West Virginia University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morningside University</span> Methodist university in Sioux City, Iowa, US

Morningside University is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morningside University has 21 buildings on a 68-acre (280,000 m2) campus in Sioux City. The Morningside College Historic District, which includes most of the campus, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Morningside College officially became Morningside University on June 1, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urbana University</span> Private university in Urbana, Ohio, US (1850–2020)

Urbana University was a private university specializing in liberal arts education and located in Urbana, Ohio. In its final few years, it was purchased by Franklin University and was a branch campus of that university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakota Wesleyan University</span> Methodist university in Mitchell, South Dakota, US

Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) is a private Methodist university in Mitchell, South Dakota. It was founded in 1885 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The student body averages slightly fewer than 800 students. The campus of the university is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion</span> Public university in Clarion, Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion is a public university in Clarion, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Pennsylvania Western University. The institution was originally founded in 1867. It now offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as certificate programs and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania</span> University in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, US

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) is a public university in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It is one of ten state universities that compose the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Iowa Panthers</span> University of Northern Iowa athletic teams

The Northern Iowa Panthers are the athletic teams of the University of Northern Iowa. The university is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes in NCAA Division I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Illinois Panthers</span> Sports teams of a university or college

The Eastern Illinois Panthers are the intercollegiate athletic programs of Eastern Illinois University (EIU) located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. The Panthers athletic program is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Championship Subdivision. EIU's colors are blue and gray. Selected as the team mascot in 1930, EIU's panther was informally known as "Billy" for many years and was officially named "Billy the Panther" in 2008. Panther teams have won five NCAA national championships in three sports. The Panthers also won the 1969 NAIA men's soccer title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIB College of Business</span> Educational center

AIB College of Business was an accredited, independent, nonprofit, baccalaureate college of business located in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. The college closed on June 30, 2016, after 95 years and gifted its property to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The campus was operated by the University of Iowa from 2016 to 2018 when the University of Iowa announced plans to close down and sell the 17-acre campus. The University of Iowa sold the campus property in August 2019, for $7.5 million. Proceeds from the land and building sale created the AIB College of Business Scholarship Fund, which provides renewable $1,000 scholarship awards to qualified UI students. In the fall of 2020, 40 students received scholarships. All were residents of Iowa and majoring in business-related programs.

Earl Leonard Craven was an American football and basketball coach and college athletics administrator in the United States. He was president of the NAIA Coaches Association from 1957 through 1959. He also initiated a nationwide appeal to cease marketing efforts of alcoholic beverages at college sports events and campuses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graceland Yellowjackets</span> Athletic teams that represent Graceland University

The Graceland Yellowjackets are the athletic teams that represent Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since the 1971–72 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebraska–Kearney Lopers</span> Athletic teams representing University of Nebraska at Kearney

The Nebraska–Kearney Lopers are the athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney, located in Kearney, Nebraska, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year; while its women's swimming and diving team competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Lopers previously competed in the D-II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1994–95 to 2011–12 ; and in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.

Oskaloosa High School is a public high school in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. It serves about 700 students. Courses include offerings through William Penn University and Indian Hills Community College. It is at 1816 North 3rd Street in Oskaloosa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamaru Usman</span> Nigerian-American mixed martial artist (born 1987)

Kamarudeen Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler, and graduated folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Welterweight Champion. Usman is also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner. As of November 14, 2022, he is #1 in the UFC welterweight rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oskaloosa Monthly Meeting of Friends Parsonage</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The Oskaloosa Monthly Meeting of Friends Parsonage is a historic building located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States. Its historic significance is found in its association with nearby William Penn University in the context of the Quaker testimony in Oskaloosa. The country's entry into World War I created problems for the Quaker's Peace Testimony. The Oskaloosa Monthly Meeting counseled students from the college about military conscription and pacifism. Because of this the parsonage was vandalized in 1917 with yellow crosses painted on the house. The congregation's pastor, Clarence Pickett, was tied to a spring wagon and led through town. Some vandalism also occurred during World War II, including yellow paint smeared on the parsonage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President's Cottage</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The President's Cottage is a historic residence located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States. From 1892, when it was built, to 1918 this structure housed the president of William Penn College. It highlights the school's improved finances at the time of its construction, the importance it placed on its leadership, and its association with the Quaker testimony in Oskaloosa, which makes this house historic. The placement of the house on a corner lot at the end of College Avenue gave the campus a linear feel in the "Yale Row" concept of college design.

The Oskaloosa Quakers were a minor league baseball team based in Oskaloosa, Iowa. From 1904 to 1908, the "Quakers" played as members of two Class D level leagues; the Iowa State League from 1904 to 1907 and the 1908 Central Association. The Quakers were the only minor league team hosted in Oskaloosa.

References

  1. ↑ Quaker Colleges, Universities and Study Centers
  2. 1 2 "National Register Information System – (#96000391)". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ↑ Watson, S. Arthur (1971). William Penn College: A Product and A Producer. Oskaloosa, IA: William Penn College.
  4. ↑ Archived May 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Schaffer, Michael. "William Penn recipient of $12 million - Oskaloosa Herald - November 16, 2007". Oskaloosa Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  6. 1 2 William C. Page. "Penn College Historic District". National Park Service . Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Official site
  8. ↑ "kiwaradio.com/sports/dordt-mens-season-ends-in-double-ot-at-national-tournament/". KIWA Radio. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ "2002-2003 Wrestling Roster" . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Joseph Benavidez UFC Bio" . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Casey Fien has been a find for the Twins - Blogs - Minnesota Twins News & Rumors Forum". twinsdaily.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Idaho Governor John Michiner Haines". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  13. ↑ Slater, Darryl (September 3, 2013). "Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison took circuitous path to possible starting role in NFL". The Star-Ledger.
  14. ↑ Cimini, Rich (September 24, 2013). "New York Jets' Damon Harrison, from water boy to starting nose tackle". ESPN.
  15. ↑ "Jerry Kutzler Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  16. ↑ McK Miller, Lawrence (1999). Witness for Humanity: A Biography of Clarence E. Pickett. Pendle Hill Pubns.
  17. ↑ "MRS. CLARENCE PICKETT". The New York Times. September 24, 1973. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  18. ↑ Miller, Lawrence McK. (1999). Witness for Humanity. Wallingford, Pennsylvania: Pendle Hill Publications. p. 28. ISBN   0-87574-934-8.
  19. ↑ DeArmond, Mike (December 6, 1972). "Polen Unnoticed in Suburban Days". The Kansas City Times . p. 34. Retrieved October 4, 2020– via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  20. ↑ "Kevin Ritz Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  21. ↑ Gifford, Jody (November 7, 2012). "Rob Taylor Wins Iowa House District 44 - Government - Waukee, IA Patch". Waukee.patch.com. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ "2,500 give final salute to coach Ed Thomas". Des Moines Register. February 10, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Dr. D. Elton Trueblood, Quaker Scholar, Author". New York Times. December 25, 1994. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Abel Trujillo UFC Bio" . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  25. ↑ Gray, Timothy (July 10, 2020). "Recalling Kamaru Usman's time with the UNK wrestling team ahead of his main event at UFC Fight Island". Lincoln Journal-Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.