Edwin McGrew with his family. He was a Commercial Professor from 1893-95, Principal of Penn Academy from 1895-97, President of Penn College 1917-28 and 1936-42, and President Emeritus 1942-1955.
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…
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…