Pennington Hall opened in 1962 as the college’s first co-ed dormitory. The building is named after Levi Pennington who was president of the college from 1911 to 1941 and remains Oregon’s longest serving college president.
Pennington oversaw a period of significant challenges for the college. During WWI, in line with their Quaker commitments, many in the college community participated in war relief efforts. Students and faculty helped homeless refugees, worked in hospitals, and rebuilt schools and homes. Then in 1918-1919, the Spanish Flu epidemic closed the college for months.
The college had significant debt at this time. Pennington traveled extensively in the US and in England attempting to raise funds. Unfortunately, in 1929, the country plunged into the Great Depression. For the next decade, Pennington and the faculty worked at 60% salary to keep the college afloat. In 1929, in a small fundraising effort, the college was offered all the prunes the faculty and students could pick in one day. They picked 1,822 boxes, raising $872.50 and earning the nickname “prune pickers” for the athletic teams.
In spite of these challenges, the college grew from 41 students in 1911 to 129 in 1941. New dorms were added and the science labs updated and expanded. Pennington is credited with holding the college together during these difficult times.
More information on the Pennington Years
There is also an exhibit on Levi and Rebecca Pennington in the Pennington House on Sheridan Street. The Penningtons lived in this house for many years.