Are the alumni featured in Forging Fifty States from Penn’s undergraduate or graduate schools?

It is important to note that during the 18th and 19th centuries today’s rigid distinction between graduate and undergraduate schools did not exist. Back then, an undergraduate degree was not a prerequisite for gaining admission to medical or law school. This is what makes Penn such a fascinating place during the 18th and 19th centuries. Even though the Penn alumni featured in Forging Fifty States took very different courses of study while at Penn, they were peers from the same learning institution. They did not know today’s strict educational hierarchy that draws strong lines between undergraduate and graduate students. During the 18th and 19th centuries, a Penn student was a Penn student. To further illustrate the egalitarian landscape of Penn’s different schools, during the latter part of the 19th century, Penn’s collegiate sports teams were open to athletes from any of its academic programs. Therefore, it was not uncommon for medical students to take the field with dental students, liberal arts students, law students and Wharton students. Varsity letters were awarded to all team members, regardless of academic enrollment. A Penn athlete was a Penn athlete. The 18th and 19th century’s alumni featured in Forging Fifty States studied in one or more of the following Penn schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Engineering School, the Wharton School of Business, the Law School, the Medical School or the College and Academy of Philadelphia (CAP), the precursor to the University of Pennsylvania.

Did all of the alumni featured in Forging Fifty States graduate from the University of Pennsylvania?

No. Three out of four (87 of 114) of the alumni featured in Forging Fifty States earned a Penn degree. Four of the alumni earned multiple degrees from Penn. Study at the collegiate level during the 18th and 19th centuries was a monumental undertaking compared to today’s world of flexible learning. Often a death in the family, especially of a student’s father, meant the student had to abandon his coursework and return home to assume the role of provider for surviving family members. The major wars of the 18th and 19th centuries: the American Revolution (1775 to 1783), the War of 1812 (1812 to 1814) , the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848) and the Civil War (1861 to 1865) also had a profound impact on students and their families. These conflicts interrupted the studies of tens of thousands of college students across the nation. Lastly, health issues, pertaining both to the student and to his family members, weighed heavily on whether or not a student would finish academic work. Since medical care was much less advanced during this time, illnesses went undiagnosed or were mistreated until they were debilitating and required emergency procedures that were often gruesome and disfiguring. Unfortunately, heath-related issues kept many students from completing their academic courses. To see the complete list of alumni featured in Forging Fifty States and the years they took classes at Penn, click here.

Who created Forging Fifty States?

The team of people that researched and compiled the information in Forging Fifty States is committed to educating the University community and the wider world about the forgotten accomplishments of Penn’s early alumni. We used a variety of sources to create Forging Fifty States. We sometimes borrowed generously from these sources, so it would be misleading to say we wrote the content on the website; however, we did research and compile the information. To see a growing list of resources used to create Forging Fifty States, click here .

Did the University of Pennsylvania provide any financial backing or research assistance for the content found in Forging Fifty States?

No. The idea for the project, the research effort, and the financial resources used to create the Forging Fifty States website were provided by Penn alumni working independently of the University of Pennsylvania.

Can anyone submit new Penn alumni to Forging Fifty States?

Absolutely. Collaboration is a hallmark of meaningful scholarship. We are certain there are undiscovered yet worthy additions to Forging Fifty States that should be included. Guidelines for submission are: 1. Must be a Penn alumnus from the 18th or 19th centuries. 2. Must be accomplished (explorer, innovator, founder, etc.) in the same spirit as the Penn alumni currently featured in Forging Fifty States. Please click on the Contribute link (to the left) and follow the guidelines. Each submission will be reviewed to determine whether or not to include it on the website.

I really enjoyed the site. I had no idea early Penn alumni contributed so much to the early nation on such a wide scale. What will you work on next?

We have barely scratched the surface on documenting the incredible accomplishments of Penn alumni from the 18th and 19th century. Keep checking back for upcoming features.