William Penn University is a liberal arts university founded by Quaker pioneers in 1873, with the ideal of providing quality education to all. That ideal hasn't changed. William Penn is still devoted to providing a liberal arts education with a leadership focus. The John Templeton Foundation has recognized Penn’s Leadership Core curriculum as an exemplary program in student leadership development. Templeton evaluators consider programs based on the development of the competencies, conscience, and compassion required of leaders in a civil society.