Friars History The Friars Senior Society of the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1899 by members of the class of 1901 at Penn. These fifteen charter members of the original group of Friars, led by Daniel S. Keller, Jr. '01, was founded to protest cliques and strive against caddishness and snobbery, and to firmly establish uncompromising democracy in all class, college and university activities. Originally an all-male organization, women were admitted in the spring of 1971. While classes numbered about 20 in the early decades, each new class of undergraduate Friars now numbers between 30 and 36. Those proposed for membership are leaders and outstanding members of their class in such roles as class officers, team captains, fraternity and sorority presidents, community and university service group officers, editors of student publications, presidents of dramatic groups, government leaders and the like. During their senior year, undergraduate Friars, become a close knit group actively (and vocally) showing support for their fellow members and their respective organizations, creating and attending unique social events on and off campus, as well as providing community service and support for the University while at Penn. The camaderie created throughout their senior year as a Friar continues after graduation. As of 2015, the Friars Alumni Association have members living in 27 countries and 48 of the 50 states. Friars number over 2.040 strong, including members from several family generations and is considered the most active organization of its kind on Penn's campus and afterwards. Campus as well as national Friar grad events are held each year and a biannual newsletter and montly email blasts keep members connected and one of the reasons Friars maintains the strongest and most consistent level of graduate and undergraduate participation of the senior societies at Penn. The Friars Graduate Board consists of multi-generation Friar alums and they oversee the organization's activities and are credited for why the title of most active group of its kind at Penn has held true for decades. Friars is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. back to top >>