List of presidents of the University of Pennsylvania

The following is a list of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, which began operating in 1751 as a secondary school, the Academy of Philadelphia, and added an institution of higher learning in 1755, the College of Philadelphia.


No. Image Provost[note 1] Years as provost Name of institution Refs.
Leaders of predecessor non-collegiate schools 1740–1754
– The Reverend George Whitefield[note 2] 1740–1749 Unnamed Charity School[note 3]
– Benjamin Franklin[note 4] 1749–1754 Academy of Philadelphia

The following persons had led the University from 1754 to 1930 as provost:[1]

Provosts of the University of Pennsylvania (1754–1930)
No. Image Provost Term start Term end Refs.
Provost of the College of Philadelphia (1754–1779)
1 The Reverend William Smith[note 5] 1754 1779 [2]
Provosts of the University of Pennsylvania (1779–1930)
2 The Reverend John Ewing[note 5] 1779 1802 [3]
Position vacant 1802–1806[1]
3 The Reverend John McDowell 1807 1810 [4]
4 The Reverend John Andrews 1810 1813 [5]
5 The Reverend Frederick Beasley 1813 1828 [6]
6 The Right Reverend
William Heathcote DeLancey		 1828 1834 [7]
7 The Reverend John Ludlow 1834 1852 [8]
8 The Reverend Henry Vethake 1853 1859 [9]
9 The Reverend Daniel Raynes Goodwin September 1860 June 1868 [10][11]
10 Charles Janeway Stillé September 30, 1868 June 15, 1880 [12][13][14][15]
11 William Pepper February 22, 1881 June 5, 1894 [16][17][18][19]
acting Charles Custis Harrison June 6, 1894 June 3, 1895 [20]
12 June 3, 1895 December 31, 1910 [21][22][23]
13 Edgar Fahs Smith January 1, 1910 June 30, 1920 [24][25][23][26]
Interim Josiah Harmar Penniman July 1, 1920 January 15, 1923 [27][26]
14 January 15, 1923 June 30, 1930[note 6] [27][28][29]

The following persons had led the University since 1930 as president:[30]

Presidents of the University of Pennsylvania (1930–present)
No. Image President Term start Term end Refs.
1 Thomas Sovereign Gates July 1, 1930 June 30, 1944 [31][29]
2 George William McClelland June 30, 1944 September 19, 1948 [32][33]
3 Harold Stassen September 20, 1948 January 20, 1953[note 7] [34][35][36]
Acting William Hagan DuBarry January 21, 1953 May 24, 1953 [36]
4 Gaylord Probasco Harnwell May 25, 1953 August 31, 1970 [37][38][39]
5 Martin Meyerson September 1, 1970 January 31, 1981 [40]
6 Sheldon Hackney February 1, 1981 June 30, 1993 [41]
Interim Claire Fagin July 1, 1993 June 30, 1994 [42]
7 Judith Rodin July 1, 1994 June 30, 2004 [43][44]
8 Amy Gutmann July 1, 2004 February 8, 2022[note 8] [45][46]
Interim Wendell Pritchett February 9, 2022 June 30, 2022 [47]
9 M. Elizabeth Magill[note 9] July 1, 2022 December 9, 2023[note 10] [48][49][50]
Interim J. Larry Jameson December 12, 2023 March 13, 2025 [51]
10 March 13, 2025 Present [52]

Notes

  1. ^ Penn became a degree-granting institution of higher learning in 1755. In preparation for this expansion in mission, William Smith was hired in 1754 to become the new provost. Neither George Whitefield nor Benjamin Franklin formally held this title.
  2. ^ Benjamin Franklin is the founder of the institution which grew to become the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin first convened a board of trustees for an organizational meeting on November 13, 1749. They opened a secondary school, the Academy of Philadelphia, in 1751. A collegiate charter was obtained for the College of Philadelphia in 1755 and post-secondary instruction began shortly thereafter. It was the College of Philadelphia which ultimately was renamed the University of Pennsylvania in 1791. Penn considered 1749 to be its founding date until 1899, when the board of trustees voted to retroactively revise its founding date to 1740 in order to make the university older than Princeton University, which had been chartered in 1746. The 1740 date was selected because, in that year, a group of Philadelphians joined together to build a large preaching hall for the use of traveling evangelist George Whitefield who toured the American colonies delivering well attended open air sermons. The grand building was erected but, due to a shortage of funding, the interior was not furnished and the hall sat unused until Franklin's group purchased it in 1750. Thus, Whitefield himself was not involved in the school which eventually became Penn, but is listed here as a placeholder to signify the period that the preaching hall raised by his followers sat dormant between 1740 and 1750.
  3. ^ As described in more detail in the appended notes, a charity school was planned by followers of George Whitefield but it never opened before the building was purchased by Benjamin Franklin's group in 1750. The structure itself was known as the "New Building" but the associated educational trust itself was never named.
  4. ^ Franklin's formal title was president of the board of trustees, first of the "Academy and Charitable School in the Province of Pennsylvania" until the college was founded, and then of the "College, Academy and Charity School of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania."
  5. ^ a b Tenure during American Revolution
  6. ^ Although the position of provost ceased being the university's chief executive officer after June 30, 1930, Penniman remained provost until 1939.
  7. ^ Resigned for a position in the Eisenhower administration.
  8. ^ Resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
  9. ^ Shortest tenure
  10. ^ Forced to resigned over backlash from antisemitism controversies that occurred during pro-Palestinian protests.

References

  1. ^ a b "University Leaders: Provosts, 1755-Present". University of Pennsylvania.
  2. ^ "William Smith (1727 - 1803)". University of Pennsylvania.
  3. ^ "John Ewing (1732 - 1802)". University of Pennsylvania.
  4. ^ "John McDowell (1751 - 1820)". University of Pennsylvania.
  5. ^ "John Andrews (1746 - 1813)". University of Pennsylvania.
  6. ^ "Frederick Beasley (1777 - 1845)". University of Pennsylvania.
  7. ^ "William Heathcote DeLancey (1797 - 1865)". University of Pennsylvania.
  8. ^ "John Ludlow (1793 - 1857)". University of Pennsylvania.
  9. ^ "Henry Vethake (1790 - 1866)". University of Pennsylvania.
  10. ^ "Daniel Raynes Goodwin (1811 - 1890)". University of Pennsylvania.
  11. ^ "RESIGNATION". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 15, 1868. p. 3. Rev. Dr. D. R. Goodwin, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and Professor of Intellectnal and Moral Philosophy, has resigned.
  12. ^ "Charles Janeway Stillé (1819 - 1899)". University of Pennsylvania.
  13. ^ "UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 11, 1868. p. 4. Meanwhile the vacancy caused by Dr. GOODWIN'S resignation had occurred, and a new Provost was to be elected. The nomination of Professor STILLE (to whom and Professor ALLEN the present prosperity of the University is largely due), was spontaneous, and his election both unanimous and enthusiastic.
  14. ^ "THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: Induction into Office of a New Provost". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 1, 1868. p. 2. At noon yesterday Professor Charles J. Stille, L.L. the newly elected Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, was formally inducted into that office at the Academy of Music.
  15. ^ "Stille Proposes to Leave the University". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 8, 1880. p. 2. At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday afternoon at the office of Cadwalader Biddle, Esq, No. 208 South Sixth street, communication was received from Dr. Charles J. Stille, provost and "John Welsh Centennial Professor of History and English Literature," tendering his resignation, to take effect at the close of the present college year, June 15.
  16. ^ "Office of the Provost Records. William Pepper Administration". University of Pennsylvania.
  17. ^ "The New Provost". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 14, 1881. p. 3.
  18. ^ "THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 17, 1881. p. 4. On Tuesday next, the 22d instant, WILLIAM PEPPER, M.D., will, with appropriate ceremony, be inaugurated Provost of the University of Pennsylvania
  19. ^ "DR. WILLIAM PEPPER RESIGNS AS PROVOST". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 24, 1894. p. 1. Dr. William Pepper, who for the last thirteen years has been Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, yesterday resigned that important position, the resignation to take effect immediately after the commencement on June 5.
  20. ^ "CHARLES C. HARRISON. MADE ACTING PROVOST: Charles Harrison Chosen to Succeed Dr. William Pepper". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 16, 1894. p. 1.
  21. ^ "Office of the Provost Records. Charles C. Harrison Administration". University of Pennsylvania.
  22. ^ "GAVE HALF MILLION". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 5, 1895. p. 1. Charles C. Harrison, has been Acting Provost of the University of Pennsylvania since the retirement of Dr. William Pepper, was yesterday elected provost, and subsequently he made a donation of half a million dollars to the university to establish a foundation in memory his father, the late George Leib Harrison, LL. D.
  23. ^ a b "PROVOST HARRISON CONFERS DEGREES". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 17, 1910. p. 2. Dr. Harrison referred to the fact that it was probably his last official act, and thanked the alumni of the University for their loyal support, declaring it to be his belief that Dr. Smith will receive the same help. He announced that Dr. Smith will take office January 1.
  24. ^ "Edgar Fahs Smith (1854 - 1928)". University of Pennsylvania.
  25. ^ "DR. EDGAR F. SMITH, UNIVERSITY HEAD SINCE 1911, RESIGNS". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 10, 1920. p. 1. The resignation would be effective June 30 at the close of the school year.
  26. ^ a b "JOSIAH H. PENNIMAN, VICE PROVOST, NAMED ACTING HEAD AT U. OF P.: Will Take Up Dr. Smith's Duties After June 30". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 22, 1920. p. 1. The appointment of Dr. Josiah II. Penniman as acting provost of the University of Pennsylvania was announced yesterday by Edward H. Mumford. secretary to the Board of Trustees, following a special meeting of that body.
  27. ^ a b "Office of the Provost Records. Josiah H. Penniman Administration". University of Pennsylvania.
  28. ^ "PENN TRUSTEES CONFIRM PENNIMAN APPOINTMENT". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 16, 1923. p. 3. Appointment of Dr. Josiah II. Fenniman as the fourteenth provost of the University of Pennsylvania was confirmed yesterday by the board of trustees at a meeting in Houston Hall, Pending the choice of a president, he will be sole administrator of the University.
  29. ^ a b "U. OF P. PLANNING TO PENSION RETIRED FACULTY MEMBERS". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 19. The exact time at which the Philadelphia banker proposes to take up his duties at the University was not announced at the time that his acceptance of the post was made public. nor has any subsequent notice been given. It is understood. however, that it will be on or near July 1 of this year.
  30. ^ "History of the Presidency". University of Pennsylvania.
  31. ^ McCullough, John M. (June 11, 1930). "T.S. GATES CHOSEN U. OF P. PRESIDENT; PENNIMAN STAYS". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1. The most radical change in the administration organization of the University of Pennsylvania since its foundation was made public yesterday with the announcement that Thomas Sovereign Gates, partner in the firms of Drexel Company of this city and P. Morgan Company of New York, has accepted the position of president of the institution. In that capacity, he will act as chief executive officer of the University corporation, and all other officers of the institution will be responsible to and to the board of trustees, Mr. Gates, who now is chairman of the executive committee of the board of trustees, will also become chairman of the entire board... Dr. Josiah H. Penniman, provost of the University since 1923, successor to the late Dr. Edgar Fahs Smith, and a member of the faculty for the last thirty-eight years, will continue in that position. As Provost, his "immediate and specific, responsibilities," as construed by the report of the committee which recommended the creation of the University presidency, will be in the educational aspects of administration.
  32. ^ "Dr. Gates To Fill New U. of P. Post". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 8, 1944. p. 19. Dr. Thomas S. Gates, president of the University of Pennsylvania since 1930 will assume the newly created position of Chairman of the University on June 30, the Board of Trustees announced yesterday. Dr. Gates, who will continue as chief officer of the University, will be succeeded as president by Dr. George W. McClelland, the present provost, who will be charged with the administration of the University.
  33. ^ Lowe, Herman A. (July 12, 1948). "Penn Reported Seeking Stassen as President". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 1. Harold E. Stassen has been offered the presidency of the University of Pennsylvania, it was reported last night... Stassen has not yet announced a decision, but if he should accept he would succeed Dr. George W. McClelland, 68, who has been considering retirement because of his health. Dr. McClelland became president in 1944, succeeding the late Thomas S. Gates.
  34. ^ "Stassen Elected U. of P. President". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 18, 1948. p. 7. Harold E. Stassen. 41-year-old former Governor of Minnesota, yesterday was formally elected president of the University of Pennsylvania at a special meeting of the trustees in Houston Hail, 3417 Spruce st. Stassen succeeds Dr. George William McClelland, who was elected chairman of the university after serving as its president for four years. He will assume his new duties Monday morning, with offices in College Hall, in the center of the campus.
  35. ^ "Stassen, Quits Penn on Jan. 20". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 22, 1952. p. 3.
  36. ^ a b "U. of P. Trustees Praise Stassen". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 20, 1953. p. 6. The trustees of the University of Pennsylvania yesterday paid tribute to Harold E. Stassen as he gave up the presidency of the university to assume his post as director of the Mutual Security Agency, to which he was appointed last Nov. 21 by President-elect Eisenhower. Stassen, former Governor of Minnesota, who served as administrative head of the university since Sept. 17, 1948, acknowledged the tribute and made a final report at the trustees' meeting on his stewardship of the university's affairs. William H. DuBarry, executive vice president, became acting president, pending the selection of Stassen's successor, in accordance with the university statutes.
  37. ^ "Gaylord P. Harnwell Oral History, October 22, 1977". Temple University.
  38. ^ Bedingfield, Robert E. (August 26, 1970). "Penn Central Company Picks Chairman". The New York Times. p. 57.
  39. ^ Klemas, Amanda K. "A History of Institutional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania: Gaylord Probasco Harnwell, President (1953-1970)". University of Pennsylvania.
  40. ^ Klemas, Amanda K. "A History of Institutional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania: Martin Meyerson, President (1970-1981)". University of Pennsylvania.
  41. ^ Klemas, Amanda K. "A History of Institutional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania: Francis Sheldon Hackney, President (1981-1993)". University of Pennsylvania.
  42. ^ Klemas, Amanda K. "A History of Institutional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania: Claire Muriel Mintzer Fagin, Interim President (1993-1994)". University of Pennsylvania.
  43. ^ Dube, Caroline; Sherman, Eliot (June 26, 2023). "Judith Rodin to step down after decade as University president". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  44. ^ Klemas, Amanda K. "A History of Institutional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania: Judith Seitz Rodin, President (1994-2004)". University of Pennsylvania.
  45. ^ Passaro, Jon (May 15, 2004). "Gutmann prepares to take helm of University". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  46. ^ "A message to the Penn community regarding the departure of Amy Gutmann". University of Pennsylvania. February 8, 2022.
  47. ^ Mitovich, Jared (February 4, 2022). "Penn taps former Provost Wendell Pritchett as interim president". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  48. ^ Charlton, Jonah; Singh, Pia (January 13, 2022). "M. Elizabeth Magill to become Penn's ninth president, succeeding Amy Gutmann". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  49. ^ Mitovich, Jared; Cohen, Molly; Siddiqui, Imran; Desai, Saya (December 9, 2023). "Penn President Liz Magill resigns amid backlash over antisemitism controversies". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  50. ^ Kim, Juliana (December 9, 2023). "Penn president, board of trustees chair resign after antisemitism hearing". NPR.
  51. ^ Scolnick, Emily; Bartlett, Katie; Seshadri, Nitin (December 12, 2023). "Perelman School of Medicine Dean J. Larry Jameson named Penn's interim president". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
  52. ^ Abebe, Zion (March 13, 2025). "Larry Jameson appointed Penn's 10th president following interim term". The Daily Pennsylvanian.
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