Penn College was founded by Quakers, who believed education to be a necessity in their lives, but public schooling had not yet come to Iowa in the late 19th Century. Oskaloosa seemed like the perfect location for a Quaker college due to the two…
Penn's Y.M.C.A. began in 1882, and its Y.W.C.A. began in 1884. The main objectives of the Y.M. and Y.W. were to hold prayer meetings, maintain Bible study, encourage individual efforts, support mission enterprises, and contribute to the betterment of…
The first Commencement was in 1875 with Linda Ninde Dorland graduating. Commencement typically lasted all day starting with the Baccalaureate, and ending either with the President or a professor hosting the Commencement Dinner. In later years, it…
Forensics gained recognition at Penn in 1880 when Rosa Lewis won first place at the state oratorical competition. An Oratorical Association was organized at Penn in 1890, and the department of Speech, Oratory, and Debate began in 1903. The first…
Penn College was founded by Quakers, who believed education to be a necessity in their lives, but public schooling had not yet come to Iowa in the late 19th Century. Oskaloosa seemed like the perfect location for a Quaker college due to the two…
Penn College had four different literary societies by 1876-77, two for "gentlemen", two for "ladies". By 1916, they had nine literary societies divided into the following: for college men, Alcimian and Brightonian; for college women, Alethian and…
