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University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1749 by a group of wealthy philanthropists including Benjamin Franklin (though the University itself prefers the founding date of 1740, from a pre-existing charity school). It is the fifth oldest college and the oldest university in the United States. (Note: Harvard did not become a chartered university until 1790.)

Penn's most notable programs are its Wharton School of Business, School of Medicine, College of Arts and Science, Law School, Nursing School, Annenberg School of Communications, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Education, School of Social Work, and its English, history, economics, and anthropology departments. It is also noted for its Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

The first medical school in the United States was founded at Penn in 1765. In 1786 Penn was chartered by the state as the first "university" in America. Penn also established the first graduate school in the United States.

Located in downtown Philadelphia for over a century, the campus was moved across the Schuylkill River to West Philadelphia in 1872, where it has remained. The present campus covers over 260 urban acres. For tours of Penn, contact the Admissions Office. Penn has been noted as one of the most beautiful urban campuses in the US.

The University of Pennsylvania should not be confused with the Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as "Penn State"), another research-oriented (but state-owned) university with the main campus located in the geographic center of Pennsylvania.

Penn's sports teams are called the Quakers. They participate in the Ivy League and the NCAA's Division I (Division I-AA for football).

Penn has been noted for its strong culture, particularly award winning acapella groups, which range from from traditional groups such as Counterparts to the highly respected Off the Beat to Penn Masala the world's premier hindi group, who have received global acclaim.

Table of contents
1 Famous Alumni
2 Notable Professors
3 External Links

Famous Alumni

Some famous University of Pennsylvania alumni:

There are numerous other past and present U.S. Ambassadors, members of congress, governors, and cabinet members, and corporate leaders.

Notable Professors

The University of Pennsylvania borders Drexel University.

External Links