Monthly Archives: April 2011

April 14, 2011 · 9:01 am

Naturally, I Chose Penn

Author: John Mosley, C’14

I was born on May 2, 1992, at 9:02 A.M.  Right away, the doctors noticed that something wasn’t quite right: I was blue. They soon discovered that blood wasn’t circulating throughout my body. I was rushed into emergency heart surgery. The surgeons realized one of my pulmonary arteries had been switched with my aorta. They proceeded to switch the two back and, in doing so, saved my life.

Why am I telling you this? Because it happened at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia(CHOP)—a building I can see from my dorm room. The University of Penn has been a vital part of my life since the moment I was born. The University literally saved my life. Perhaps that is why, 18 years later, I became heart-set on being accepted to this University.

Today, I will be missing an afternoon class because I am going to CHOP for the 18th consecutive year for my annual checkup with Dr. Weinberg, my cardiologist. Dr. Weinberg has been with my almost my entire life and has been guiding me through this heart defect. At least once a year for 18 years, I have been on Penn’s campus to receive this checkup. I remember my dad showing me Franklin Field when I was 9 or 10. I remember walking by the Quad in my early adolescence. The University that has been so vital to my well-being, so it makes sense that the University continues to be where I am enriched and prepared for a career. Penn continues to have a profound influence on my life. It is only fitting that I chose Penn.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

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April 13, 2011 · 1:30 pm

Spring Fling is On Its Way

Author: Lisa V., C’02

With Penn’s annual Spring Fling weekend just days away, I find myself thinking about the origin of this famous (some might say infamous) Penn tradition.

Skimmer Day

According to University Archives, Spring Fling actually grew out of an earlier Penn tradition known as Skimmer. Beginning in 1949, Penn students would gather on a Saturday each spring on the banks of the Schuylkill River to encourage the Penn crew team.  This tradition soon expanded to become a weekend of social, musical, and athletic events both along the river and on-campus. Soon thousands of students from up and down the East Coast flocked to Skimmer, enjoying not just the races, but also the jazz bands, the motorcades, the “co-ed” poster contest, the concerts, the dances, the fraternity parties, and the beer.

Unfortunately, the event turned out to be too popular for its own good. Large crowds, combined with youthful high spirits (and alcohol), eventually led to injuries, property damage, and arrests.  Over time, the focus of Skimmer Day/Spring Weekend shifted more and more away from off-campus activities along the Schuylkill River to organized events on-campus.

Like all traditions, Spring Fling is one that has evolved over time.  As per University Archives,  “The first official Spring Fling was held the weekend of April 21, 1973. Almost all of the weekend’s activities – which included carnival booths, art exhibits, and five hours of square dancing – took place in the Quad, and the concert, then gratis, featured a no-name guitarist named Dave Weinburg, who played from a chair on the grass of the Quad in front of McClelland Hall.”

This year, Spring Fling activities will take place across campus – from the headliner concert at Franklin Field to the carnival in the Quad and everywhere in between – and will attract nearly ten thousand revelers. The headline concert in Franklin Field – featuring Lupe Fiasco, Ratatat and Flo Rida – has already sold out at over 8,000 seats. The campus may have changed over the years, but the spirit of celebration at the start of this new season has not waned. In fact, it grows stronger each year.

Spring Fling: Then

Spring Fling Now

 

 

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April 13, 2011 · 9:02 am

Life of an Engineer

Author: Jonathan C., SEAS ’14

When I joined the Engineering School, I knew there was a reason I was meant to be there.  I understood that being an engineer requires working late into the night.  While I have yet to experience an all-nighter, I had a late night a few weeks ago.  It was for my MEAM-101: Introduction to Mechanical Design class (check out the PRESS project).  The project was to make anything, as long as it used press-fits.  Short explanation: a press fit is where you have a slot and a peg out of a given material, and you make the peg slightly larger than the slot (on the order of a few thousandths of an inch).  Then, when you press the peg into the slot, the peg slightly deforms and will stay firmly fastened, creating a connection between the two parts without needing adhesive.

I decided to build a space shuttle and started with a model on the computer.  I went to the room at 10 PM thinking it would take maybe an hour to cut all the pieces out and put it together.  By the time I was cutting the last piece out, the clock read 1 AM.  Suddenly, I understood the joy of being an engineer.  There are people out there who would have meticulously watched the clock, and would have left the room with a partially-finished product with the intent to come back the next day to finish it.  But I had become so engrossed in the project that I was shocked by the amount of time that had passed.  And, when I got to the end and had a finished product, I was filled a combination of exhaustion and great satisfaction. At that moment, I knew that being an engineer was the right choice for me.

Not my project, but an example of a press-fit project

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April 12, 2011 · 11:40 am

Picnic on the Summit of Sweeten – a Tale of Lunchtime Adventure.

Author: Jason S.

I work in Alumni Relations in the Sweeten Alumni House. I recently realized that in my seven years of working here that I had only been on the roof of our building once (to check why our Carillon wasn’t working) and certainly had never taken the occasion to dine on top of where I work. Since today is the first beautiful spring day in Philadelphia, I decided to have a lunch picnic on the roof and take a few pictures while doing so.

I was hungry early, and excited to get started on my adventure, so I headed over to Houston Hall at around 11, right when the food court opens.

Some of you might say 11 AM is too early for raw fish, but I disagree. I selected a California Roll Combo and a Spicy Shrimp roll. The sushi at Houston isn’t bad, and I needed the protein to fuel my climb up and down the Sweeten precipices.

The back door of the third floor of Sweeten is right next to my office. Feel free to visit sometime. Directly outside of that door is a small walkway with a ladder leading upwards. If my office was base camp of Everest, this was the climb I had to make to get to Camp 1. I would soon be mere feet away from the summit of Sweeten. Tossing my plastic boxes filled with sustainable seafood into the various recyclable bins,  I made my way to the first terrace.

I soon ascended to the first level. Not wanting to lose momentum, I quickly snapped a picture of the new Annenberg Public Policy Center and the Class of 1976 patio, and continued onward and upward…

This was it. Beyond this ladder lay a place where few had tread, and even fewer had taken their lunch hour. Gritting my teeth I began to make the ascent. Hand over hand, rung after rung, I pulled myself skyward, eventually flinging my exhausted body up and over the last ledge. I had made it to the Summit of Sweeten. And it was beautiful.

In the distance was College Hall, its green facade jutting up from the ground. Students walked back and forth below me on Locust Walk looking like tiny ants.

Peering through a stand of beautiful pink blossoms,I could see College Green stretching below me. In the distance, dedicated volunteers were setting up for Penn Preview Days, waiting to greet the recently accepted students of the Class of 2015.

I took a moment to (silently) dedicate my journey to these newly minted Quakers, that my arduous climb might forever remain a testament to those who might study late into the night at Van Pelt Library, or raise a glass in friendship at Smokes. Yes, these academics were the true adventurers, not I.

With that, I sat down and ate my lunch. I knew that my journey had come to an end and I would soon have my own set of questions to answer. Would I be able to attend that ARG meeting next month? Did I have a chance to review the materials for the talk on broadcast email best practices I was to give on Friday? And most importantly, why were my pants and hands covered in black crud halfway through the work day?

Some of these questions had easy answers. Others were more difficult. Luckily, this brave soul keeps a spare pair of Dockers in his desk drawer for just such an occasion.

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April 12, 2011 · 9:02 am

The Many Paths from a Penn Education

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

Have you ever heard someone talk about their job or career, and think, “Wow, that’s so interesting. I wish I could do that.” I get that feeling every time I attend a Penn Alumni speaker series event. I hear Penn’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jerome Allen (W’09) speak and I think, “I should have played more sports.” I hear Kristin Haskins Simms (C’93), a contestant on Project Runway’s Season 8, speak and I think, “I should really learn how to sew, or at least finish my knitting project.” The great thing about meeting Penn alumni is you realize a Penn education can lead to a successful career in any field – let it be athletics or fashion design.

Waiting for Superman movie poster

A few weeks ago,  I attended “No More Waiting: Remaking Urban Education Today, a conversation with Charles B. Adams, W’91.” The event was hosted by Penn’s Multicultural Outreach in conjunction with the Center for Africana Studies. Charles B. Adams is Head of The SEED School of Washington, D.C., and he is featured in the award-winning documentary, Waiting for Superman. He spoke about his experiences at Penn, where he studied marketing, his short-lived law career (he went to law school but never practiced law), and how he got into teaching. When the event ended, I asked Mr. Adams how Penn alumni can get involved in education to make an impact in their communities. He suggested tutoring students and providing meeting space where students can practice giving presentations in professional settings.

Penn alumni are incredibly inspiring, and it is always so nice to hear them talk about why they came to Penn and how their experiences at Penn paved the way for their successful career. They give great advice to current students and alumni who are interested in their field, and they remind us all why it is so special to be a member of the Penn community. Keep an eye out for future speaker series events. You will most likely see me there.

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April 11, 2011 · 4:02 pm

Student Stories

Author: Kelly G.

“Your participation matters. You can make an impact on the University and its students today. The advancement of the University relies on your support. Penn students and faculty are reaching new heights as a result of alumni giving.”

I spend my days communicating these ideas to our proud Penn alumni, parents, and friends. And I stand behind them. I truly believe in the mission of The Penn Fund in supporting the highest priorities – literally, whatever is needed most that year, from light bulbs to student financial aid – of undergraduate education at Penn. (Don’t worry, this isn’t a solicitation!) But in the midst of talking about students, we sometimes forget to learn about them. Sure, they stand next to us in line at Cosi or offer us fliers as we walk down Locust Walk, but we don’t always know their stories.

This past February, that all changed for me. As part of a direct mail campaign to alumni, I prepared five letters under the signatures of five different Penn students – all from various schools and backgrounds. I interviewed them at length, wrote letters using their voice and experiences and held photography shoots for them. In that time, I was absolutely blown away by their inspirational accomplishments at such a young age.

Rachel, C’12 participates in extensive research at the vet school and runs her own non-profit organization, Hand2Paw, dedicated to bringing together homeless teens and shelter animals within a mutually beneficial program. Since 2009, the organization has impacted the lives of over 70 homeless youth and over 1,000 homeless animals.
Matt, C’11 is the first directly-elected president of the Undergraduate Assembly at Penn. His responsibilities range from designating budgets and resources to the hundreds of student clubs and activities on campus. He also volunteers his time to One in Four, an all-male peer education group that presents programs on how men can help a sexual assault survivor, while balancing his academic research and studies as a Health and Societies major.

Kabir, W’11, C’11 moved from India to attend Penn and has since interned at Google and volunteered his business skills to organizations in Bolivia. He loves being involved in all kinds of campus activities including serving as a tour guide, a Red and Blue caller and a Daily Pennsylvanian writer. Most impressive is his desire to use his Wharton education to combine societal gain with profitable produces in the developing world through his social entrepreneurship studies.

Laura, NU’11 was introduced to nursing when she arrived at Penn and quickly realized it was her life’s calling. In her junior year, she took her passion for nursing education global when she studied abroad in London where she completed geriatrics and adult clinical rotations in a hospital there. This is something unheard of for more nursing students! After returning to Penn, Laura began groundbreaking research exploring the impact of nursing academic exchange programs.

Spencer, ENG’11 is working side-by-side with faculty from the School of Medicine on solving the mysteries of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a malignant disease that, despite recent advances in treatment, claims many lives. By taking advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of Penn, Spencer is immersed in research and experiments that could one day save lives.

And these are only five of the University’s over 10,000 undergraduate students! I find them to be truly inspirational and impressive. And most of all, every single one of them are truly kind and generous students who volunteered their time and names for The Penn Fund. Thank you Rachel, Matt, Kabir, Laura and Spencer!

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April 10, 2011 · 6:59 pm

Taking Notes with Your Phone?

Author: Sabrina Shyn, C’13

In my sociology class today, a girl did a strange thing. She took a photo of the professor’s PowerPoint slide with her phone. Yes, her phone. She raised her arms, held the phone way up, and snapped a photo of the screen.

At first, I thought that was a

bit strange. Then I thought that might be genius; it gets rid of the need to quickly write the notes down while also trying to listen and write down what the professor is saying at the same time. But then I realized that it was taking technology a little too far, especially since the girl had her laptop open in front of her.

We all know technology has come a long way – even in the classroom. Gone are the legal pads and pencils that may have once been ubiquitous in lectures. Some people do still take notes in notebooks, but the majority of students today take notes on their laptops.

S

The Olden Days

Some have those smaller portable laptops just for note talking. And a few students use iPads. Of course, some don’t take notes at all. During class today, while I was furiously typing away to get all the notes down, the girl next to me was fu

riously typing away to Gchat with three different people. The guy next to her was reading a sports articles, two other guys were watching a basketball game, three girls were online shopping, and four hundred people were on Facebook.

So many of my professors comment on how technology has changed. Every week, at least one professor mentions some object or TV show prefaced with a joke of either “I don’t want to age myself but…” or “Do you guys know what [whatever the obsolete object] is?”

“We listened to records – do you know what records are?”

“I know you don’t have to memorize phone numbers these days…but in the ancient past…you had to actually remember digits.”

I bet in the ancient past they never imagined students taking notes with their phones.

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April 9, 2011 · 8:00 am

A Day in History Class

Author: John Mosley, C’14

Being a freshman at Penn is an exciting experience in many ways. I live on my own, I meet new people ll the time, and I am exposed to new ideas on a daily basis. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this college experience for me has been the opportunity to take classes that high school never offered. From my German course to my Introduction to Acting seminar, I have been given the opportunity to explore new interests and receive new perspectives on life. Perhaps the most interesting and exciting of these courses is the course titled “America in the 1960s,” which I am currently enrolled in for this Spring 2011 semester.

Taught by Professor Thomas Sugrue, this course is a comprehensive look at the decade which can be classified (arguably) as the most controversial and influential of the 20th century. Personally, I elected to take this course because of my fascination with the music of the 1960s. My favorite bands are The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles. However, I quickly discovered that there was more to the 1960s than rock and roll and the Civil Rights movement. Many revolutions were occurring simultaneously throughout the decade, from the rise of the “New Right” (led by Conservative Barry Goldwater) to the headline-making rise of the “New Left” (led by college students across the country who belonged to the group known as the Students for a Democratic Society).

On October 22, 1967, Bernie Boston photographed his iconic, “Flower Power” photograph, which featured Vietnam War protester George Harris inserting flowers into a National Guardsmen’s rifle barrel.

“America in the 1960s” recounts the “long” 1960s (specifically the period from 1954-1974). No account of the 1960s can be complete without inclusion of the influence of the 1950s, a decade of affluence and growing discontent in the youth of the country. Professor Sugrue skillfully weaves in the 1950s as a precursor to the 1960s; the preceding decade fostered the roots of the women’s liberation movement, rock and roll music and the civil rights movement to name a few.

As the semester winds down, I look forward to the exciting conclusion of the story told by Professor Sugrue and his foray into the 1970s. However, at the same time I am saddened to see this infinitely intriguing narrative course come to an end. Every Monday and Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM, I am nearly hypnotized by Professor Sugrue’s skillful storytelling and insight into the decade that forever changed the discourse of American politics, media, fashion, music and literature. Nearly every facet of American life today can be traced back to the “long” 1960s, and by studying the decade, I am effectively enhancing my understanding of modern times.

For more information on Penn’s history department, the “America in the 1960s” course and Professor Thomas Sugrue, check out Penn’s history department website here.

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April 7, 2011 · 5:03 pm

I’m Not Afraid to Say the “L” Word

Author: Elise Betz

Penn Tree Planting on Campus

Eleven years ago, when I walked on to this campus for the first time as a University of Pennsylvania employee, I was terrified.  This was Penn!!!  Growing up in Bryn Mawr with two teachers for parents, I knew that Penn was the gold standard of academia.  And there I was.  Quickly though, my fear turned into fascination as I navigated this dynamic, complex, and extraordinary place.  That fascination has now turned into love.  Yep, I said it.  I love Penn.   I love the work I do.  I love the people, the buildings, and the energy.  I even love the smell of mulch in mid-March that surrounds the campus.  To help you understand my love for this place, here are just a handful  of things I have experienced through Penn in just the last two weeks:

  • “Minorities in the Media in the Age of Reality TV” panel featuring Richard Gay, Executive Vice President for Strategy at MTV and V, and Penn alum at Penn Spectrum On the Road.
  • “Life in the World of Theatre Today” event with seven Penn alumni in the theatre business in New York.
  • The Penn Traditions “Class of 2011 Tree Planting” where we planted a Legacy Sugar Maple in the heart of College Green in honor of the senior class.
  • A discussion by  four faculty members about restorative justice around the world.
  • A panel of undergraduate students, organized for our Gift Officers, who talked about their life at Penn,  facilitated by me.
  • Sitting in the audience at the “Models of Excellence” ceremony highlighting the remarkable achievements of Penn staff.
  • A yPenn young alumni event that drew 150 of our most recent graduates to celebrate Penn.
  • A tour of the murals in West Philadelphia preceded by a lecture by Jane Golden, Penn faculty member and Executive Director of the Mural Arts program.

And by the way, I also met the love of my life at Penn five years ago.  How’s that for a bonus?

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April 7, 2011 · 2:00 pm

The Excelano Project is Real Cool

Author: Cecilia Ramirez, C’05, SPP’10

This past Saturday night, I had the pleasure of attending Penn’s very own Excelano Project Spring 2011 Show, We Real Cool, in commemoration of their ten-year anniversary. The Excelano Project (EP) is the university’s first and only spoken word student group. A mixed audience of students, alumni and staff members devoted our Saturday nights to a celebration of the single most inspirational poetry that Penn has ever seen.

A compilation of joint poems, emotional ballads, melodic free verses, passionate odes and powerful couplets, appropriately entitled, Short Poems, filled the stage as the EP’s all-star student cast graced the stage for a nearly-two hour show. EP’s founder and award-winning actor, poet and playwright, Carlos Andres Gomez C’03, was among the many alumni present for this milestone performance. The coffered domed ceiling could barely contain the cheers, applause and event-appropriate ::snaps:: from the crowd. Nearly all of the Penn Museum’s Harrison Auditorium 780 seats were taken as we watched on with frequent guttural affirmations and sighs of amazement of the magic on stage. The artists included students from all years, including EP’s only senior, Justin Ching C’11. Ching closed his final show with a surprise collaboration with Penn Masala, Penn’s nationally-recognized Hindi a cappella student group.

I decided to attend this year’s anniversary show on a nostalgic whim and I was absolutely blown away. The level of skill, maturity, lyrical prowess and sheer brilliance that I was privileged enough to witness was truly moving. I was an undergraduate when EP was formed and I had not attended a show since then. I have fond memories of its awe-inspiring first shows and of my secret wishes for the courage and talent to emulate my talented peers. Ten years later, I found myself with similar sentiments and feelings of admiration; EP is unquestionably more than cool, it’s real cool.

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