William Penn University ¹

William Penn University is a liberal arts university affiliated with the Society of Friends. The university was founded by Quaker pioneers in 1873 to provide a quality education to all interested men and women regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status. Penn's main campus is in Oskaloosa, Iowa, a community of 12,000 people located an hour's drive southeast of Des Moines. In 1997 the university established its College for Working Adults (CWA) in order to serve the unique educational needs of adult students. CWA classes are offered primarily at the university's learning centers in West Des Moines and Ames, while Penn's traditional liberal arts college conducts its classes in Oskaloosa. The university's total enrollment is approximately 2,000 students, with 800 in Oskaloosa and 1,200 in West Des Moines or Ames. Leadership is the focus of student learning at Penn. The university is committed to the idea that liberally educated women and men should develop the leadership skills and self-confidence necessary to face the challenges of the future. Traditions of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking are strong at Penn. The university's Leadership Core consists of 39 hours of coursework designed to promote communication, values, and inquiry. Several courses are aimed toward international and multicultural understanding and historical consciousness. Others are geared toward developing an understanding of numerical reasoning, technological proficiency, scientific content/methodology, aesthetic appreciation, and management skills. Leadership Core courses prepare students to make informed decisions when choosing from the broad range of majors offered in the university's six academic divisions: Applied Technology, Business Administration, Education, Health and Life Sciences, Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The John Templeton Foundation has recognized Penn's Leadership Core as an exemplary approach to general education, integrating questions of ethics and character into courses across the curriculum. Penn is currently in the midst of an exciting period of growth. Enrollment is increasing, the landscape of the Oskaloosa campus is changing, and new academic programs are under way. The multipurpose Penn Activity Center and the Musco Technology Center, both now under construction, will provide major enhancements to the educational experience of students at Penn. (A visit to the construction site is available via webcams linked to Penn's website at http://www.wmpenn.edu) Penn is also broadening its curriculum. An innovative Digital Broadcast Studies program has been implemented, a certificate in human resource management is now available, and in 2007-08 Penn began a master's degree program in business leadership. William Penn University offers excellent academic programs, a dedicated faculty, competitive NAIA athletics, a wealth of extracurricular activities, and a variety of career-centered internships, all set in a supportive environment that encourages students to explore their potential and develop leadership skills while experiencing and embracing diversity. The result is an educational institution that fosters among its faculty and students a commitment to ethical practice, community service, and lifelong learning.