Carrying Forward a Legacy: Professor Jennifer Crull Reflects on Her Family’s Ties to William Penn

10/31/2025

As William Penn University celebrated the birthday of its namesake last week, one faculty member shared a particularly meaningful connection to the man behind the name. For Jennifer Crull, Co-Chair of the Business Department, the celebration is more than a nod to history—it’s a reflection of the values that have shaped her family for generations.

Crull traces her lineage back to her Great (8) Grandfather, William Brown, who, along with his brother James, emigrated from England in the early 1700s. The Brown brothers settled in Nottingham Lots, part of William Penn’s colonial land grants. “William Penn granted them three lots of 500 acres for the Brown family to settle on,” Crull explained. “Our family trusted him deeply, and that trust became part of our story.” Although she’s quick to clarify she isn’t a direct descendant of William Penn himself, Crull’s family history remains intertwined with his vision of community, equality, and faith. The Browns’ land—granted by Penn’s stewardship—became a cornerstone of her family’s American story. Today, the only artifact remaining from that era is her ancestor’s original will, a cherished symbol of the family’s place in early colonial history.

Raised in a Quaker household, Crull says the values instilled in her upbringing continue to guide her leadership style at William Penn University. “My Quaker upbringing made me focus on inclusivity and fairness—two leadership traits I value profusely,” she shared. Now, as Co-Chair of the Business Department, Crull works alongside Dr. Jenkins to strengthen the program’s curriculum and deepen its sense of community. Together, they exemplify the equality that William Penn championed. “I believe he would appreciate the Business Program being led by two strong women,” Crull said. “It shows WPU’s commitment to integrity and equality.”

This year marks an exciting milestone for the Business Division, which recently held its first faculty retreat. The retreat fostered connection among colleagues and allowed the department to collaborate on core curricular changes set to move forward for review in November. “Creating relationships is important in teaching,” Crull emphasized. “That’s how we build community—both among faculty and with our students.”

As she walks the campus, Crull reflects on how deeply William Penn’s ideals still resonate within the university. “He would want us to have a fair and just system to operate the University—which I believe we do,” she said. “He would also want to see equity and community, and that’s exactly what we’re working toward.” Looking ahead, she encourages students to honor Penn’s legacy not just through study, but through the way they live and lead. “Trust your beliefs about what is fair and just,” Crull advised. “Remember the pillars of Quaker education your learning is built on—it will serve you well in life.”

For Jennifer Crull, William Penn’s birthday isn’t just a moment of commemoration—it’s a reminder of how one man’s vision for faith, equality, and education continues to echo through time. “I think he would be happy that his beliefs are still relevant today as they were in his time,” she said. From the colonial land grants of the 1700s to the classrooms of Oskaloosa, that vision lives on—shaping the next generation of leaders at William Penn University.