Founded by Benjamin Franklin more than 250 years ago in 1749, the University has a history rich and expansive enough to fill several full-length volumes. But here are some brief historical highlights of this illustrious institution.
Penn in Politics:
Nine signers of the Declaration of Independence were associated with the University.
Eleven signers of the Constitution were associated with the University, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Gouverneur Morris.
Since 1776, 215 alumni, faculty and trustees have served in the United States Congress or its predecessor, the Continental Congress.
At least 23 alumni, faculty and trustees have served as U.S. Cabinet officers or in other notable presidential appointments.
Ten have served in the University's presidential office. The first president was Thomas Gates (1930-1944) and the first woman president was Judith Rodin (1994-2004). She was the first female president among all Ivy League institutions.
Penn in Sports:
The Penn Relays that take place every spring at Franklin Field is the nation's largest amateur track and field meet.
Franklin Field is the oldest two-tiered college stadium that is still in use. Penn also has the nation's first stadium scoreboard.
Alumni John Heisman and John Outland are namesakes for two of college football's most prestigious awards: the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best all-around player, and the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best interior lineman in the nation.
Penn was one of the two teams to play in the first commercially televised football game.
Penn graduate John Taylor was the first black Olympic gold medalist.
Famous Penn Alumni:
William Henry Harrison, U.S. president, Class of 1791
Ezra Pound, poet, Class of 1903
William Brennan, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Class of 1928
Walter Annenberg, former ambassador to Great Britain and newspaper magnate, Class of 1931
Noam Chomsky, linguist and activist, Ph.D in 1955
Candice Bergen, actress, early 1960s
Donald Trump, entrepreneur, Class of 1968
Unique to Penn:
First university in the United States
First medical school in the country, established in 1765
First undergraduate business school in the nation
ENIAC, the first computer
First student union
Penn Contributions:
Engineering School graduates have contributed to the invention of the radio, camera, lunar land rover, infrared television remote control and automotive cruise control
Facts and figures provided by University Archives.
