University of Pennsylvania

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    The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 when a prominent Evangelist named, George Whitefield had the idea of creating a charity school that would also double as a place of worship for his followers. Under the heavy burden of cost, the construction was delayed and left unfinished until about a decade later. In 1749, Ben Franklin and a group of 24 trustees purchased Whitefield's buildings and in 1751 the Academy and Charitable School in the Province of Pennsylvania opened its doors. Franklin served as the president of the institution until 1755 and continued to serve as a trustee until his death in 1790. The university boasts the nations first student union and the first double decker college football stadium, not to mention many of its historical buildings align with American History.