A Rebirth and Transformation
With 40 acres of land that had been donated to the college by Charles and Albert Johnson 18 years prior to the tragic fire, Penn College was relocated and rebuilt on the site about three blocks north of the original campus—where the current grounds are today. In 1933, the school changed its name to William Penn College.
Expanded Programs for Adult Learners
Never losing sight of its Quaker belief in the power of education for everyone, William Penn College launched the College for Working Adults in 1995, located in West Des Moines, Iowa. This new initiative was designed to empower working adults to earn their associate and bachelor’s degrees in a way that would work around the demands of their daily lives.
The William Penn of Today
In 2000, the school achieved university status and changed its name to William Penn University. The campus is now spread over 75 acres, and recently added two new buildings with recreational facilities, classrooms, office space, training rooms, and a state-of-the-art technology center. A new residence hall was also built, adding to the residence life experience. While staying true to its original Quaker mission, William Penn University offers exceptional programs with an emphasis on leadership and technology.
1873 – Founding of Penn College
1875 – First Graduating Class
1893 – First College Yearbook, The Aurora, Published
1898 – 40 Acres of Land Donated by Charles and Albert Johnson
1902 – College Graduates its First African-American Student
1903 – The Aurora Changes Its Name to The Quaker
1907 – The Gymnasium Is Built
1913 – The College Avenue Friend’s Meeting House Is Completed
1916 – Fire Destroys Original Penn College Campus
1917 – Penn College Is Rebuilt on 40 Acres Three Blocks North of Original Campus
1919 – Graduating Class Presents the Sundial in Front of Penn Hall
1933 – School Changes Name to William Penn College
1945 – First Men’s Dormitory, Peasley Hall, Is Gifted, Later Known as Peasley-Griffith Hall
1945 – College Hires First Female African-American Professor in Iowa
1956 – New Gymnasium Is Built
1959 – Peasley-Griffith Hall Renovated and Transformed into Fine Arts Building
1962 – New Men’s Dormitory, Watson Hall, Is Opened
1964 – Wilcox Library Opened
1966 – East Men’s Dormitory Opened (Named Eltse Hall in 1972)
1973 – 100th Anniversary of William Penn College
1973 – Dedication of Edwin McGrew Fine Arts Center
1975 – Articulation Cooperative Formed with Indian Hills Community College
1995 – William Penn Launches Its College for Working Adults
1996 – Academics Restructured from Seven to Five Academic Departments
1997 – College selected as a John Templeton Foundation honor roll character building college for its commitment to a values oriented curriculum
2000 – Associate Degree Program Founded in the College for Working Adults
2000 – William Penn College Changes Its Name to William Penn University
2000 – The Twin Towers Townhouse Dormitory Opened
2008 – Penn Activity Center and Musco Technology Center Opened
2010 – Dr. Ann M. Fields Inaugurated as the 26th and First Female President of William Penn University
2013 – Market Street Residence Hall Opened for Spring Semester
2015 – Nursing Program Nationally Accredited