William Penn Homecoming A Celebration Of Being Diverse

Malik Bell, a freshman from Florida was on the ballot for the freshman court during homecoming 2017.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The William Penn University campus was celebrating homecoming week, and 100 years of Penn Hall. The signature structure of the university has welcomed people from around the world and their many varied cultures.

Several of the fun activities included a ‘Chalk the Walk’ activity outside of Penn Hall which helped to get students active and to start the voting for the homecoming court.

Malik Bell, a freshman from Florida and on the ballot, said he didn’t want to be in the running for the freshman court. “I don’t like the publicity. I try to keep a low profile. I’m already famous you know,” said Bell, whose friends were having a good time at his expense.

“It’s a great school. I like it,” said Bell of his time at Penn. “People are friendly, just like home.”

The momentum of good things happening at William Penn continued with the dedication of the George Daily Pavillion, located where the tennis courts used to be on campus.

William Penn University President John Ottosson said that after a sinkhole developed in one of the courts, a plan was prepared for the use of the space.

Marsha Riordan (left center) and John Ottosson (right center) cut the ribbon for the newly established P on the campus of William Penn.

The university no longer has a tennis team, and the courts had been used for a hybrid of soccer tennis by the students.

The question asked was, “What can we do that will benefit our students?”

That question lead to the development of the pavilion and a sand volleyball pit.

On the east side of the new George Daily Pavillion is the recreated P. “We use to have a P many years ago where the parking lot is now,” said Ottosson.

That early P was donated by class years, while the new one is built from pavers donated by alumni and other university supporters explained Ottosson. “It will be a visible P on campus when people come back.”

Both the new pavilion and sand volleyball court have been well used by students already, and have been a welcome addition to the campus. “We’re really excited about having the flexibility of this,” added Ottosson.

Marsha Riordan, Vice President for Advancement, said that the new George Daily Pavilion and sand volleyball area “is such a central portion” of the campus and has become a place for students to interact during good weather.

Penn Hall on the campus of William Penn University celebrated 100 years of serving the students during Homecoming 2017.

Riordan emphasized reestablishing the P on the William Penn campus, and it being placed in the center of campus for students and alumni alike.

“We are just really delighted that it’s a place that the community can use in the summertime when the students aren’t around on campus,” added Riordan.

When it comes to homecoming week, Ottosson describes it as “a busy week.”

“It’s exciting. We started yesterday [Thursday] when some of the alumni gathered at the bowling alley, and just seeing them all comeback and reconnect,” said Ottosson.

Nate Van Veldhuizen rushed into the endzone for a William Penn tourchdown. William Penn defeats Avila 34-7 for a homecoming victory.

Sigma Phi Sigma fraternity was also enjoying their 55th reunion during homecoming at William Penn, with more than 100 brothers back to celebrate.

The alumni took part in an “Amazing Race” after the dedication. That race took them on a tour of the Penn campus, focusing on the 100th Anniversary of Penn Hall.