William Penn University welcomes many new faces
William Penn University
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Established in 1873, William Penn University is celebrating 140 years of providing quality education to generations of leaders. This academic school year also marks another milestone for the university with record enrollment on the Oskaloosa campus. William Penn University welcomed a freshman class of 262 students, 26 new international students and 157 transfer students this fall. When combined with returning students and those enrolled in the university’s RN-BSN nursing degree program, the total enrollment count is 1,036 students. This staggering number is the highest the university has seen in over 40 years. Enrollment numbers in other divisions of the university include 136 Distance Learning students, and the College for Working Adults currently has 475 students enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
In addition to welcoming the many new and returning students, the William Penn faculty, staff, and administration welcome three new educators to the College of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies (CASPS) this fall: Michael Johnston, Sarah Tarbell, and Sandy Wiemers.
Professor Johnston is from Ottumwa, Iowa and earned his associate’s degree from Indian Hills Community College and his bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University as a double major in psychology and sociology. Johnston currently has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Iowa State University and is earning his doctorate in Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and leadership from Walden University. Professor Johnston taught for two other universities prior to teaching at William Penn.
Sarah Tarbell, a graduate of William Penn University, is no stranger to the Statesmen community. Professor Tarbell was a double major in psychology and physical education at William Penn University and earned her master’s degree in Business Leadership through the University’s College for Working Adults program. She currently teaches psychology courses on campus, and her husband Levi is Director of the Penn Activity Center and Student Activities. According to Tarbell, WPU is more than just education; it’s the business of developing people, and helping them fulfill their personal goals and dreams.
Sandy Wiemers joins William Penn University to teach physical education courses. Professor Wiemers is enjoying her first full-time teaching job, and finds inspiration and wisdom through her many years of experience as an athlete, a coach and various positions involving educating others about the importance of health and physical activity. Wiemers says that she feels welcomed by students and fellow faculty members and finds her classes to be respectful, courteous, and hard-working.
Johnston, Tarbell, and Wiemers join the growing Statesmen family as the university celebrates 140 years of history while looking forward to a bright future.
