Monthly Archives: July 2011

July 5, 2011 · 2:37 pm

Happy New Year!!

Author: Kelly G.

It may at first seem odd to celebrate what is usually a snowy, cold, and glittery holiday in January, we at The Penn Fund are very excited to celebrate the end of our 2011 fiscal year and the beginning of fiscal year 2012.

Thank you to all of our Penn undergraduates and friends who took the time between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 to make an annual gift to The Penn Fund in support of Penn students! Our reunion classes had record-breaking years and we are looking forward to announcing our total numbers in the coming weeks, including higher than ever numbers of Benjamin Franklin Society and Ivy Stone Society members.

While we also broke through dollar records this year, it is the participation that the University is most excited about. Knowing that 25,000+ undergraduate alumni come together every year and contribute whatever they can to The Penn Fund – in support of the students who follow in their footsteps – truly demonstrates the amazing commitment of Penn alumni.

Therefore, I wish all of you a very happy new year and I hope you will join The Penn Fund in fiscal year 2012 in support the immediate priorities of undergraduate education at Penn.

Penn, Ben, and the 4th of July

Author: Amanda M. D’Amico

Happy Fourth of July! During this day filled with barbeques, fireworks, and good company, I wanted to take a moment to think about the reason for this three-day weekend and the impact of America’s founding fathers. In that spirit, I combed through campus to find images and mementos of one of America’s most prominent founding fathers and Penn’s founder: Ben Franklin.

Finding Ben Franklin’s influence at Penn isn’t difficult. From Penn’s alumni magazine, The Pennsylvania Gazette, to this very blog, Mr. Franklin can be found throughout the Penn community. Here are just a few places where you can see images of Ben Franklin on campus:

Ben on the Bench. This iconic image of Mr. Franklin sits on the Class of 1962 Walkway and was a gift from this generous class.College Green. Located directly in front of College Hall, this statue of Ben Franklin has been seen by hundreds of thousands of students, alumni and staff, and serves as the legendary inspiration behind the split button.

Young Franklin. This statue of a spritely Mr. Franklin is located outside of the appropriately-named Franklin Field.

Quotes. Mr. Franklin’s words, as well as his images, have permeated Penn’s campus. The Class of 1962 Walkway is filled with quotations from this world-renowned scholar. Below are two of my favorites:

Next time you’re taking a walk around Penn, be sure to take notice of the influence that Franklin had on the campus, and on the country at-large. For information of Franklin’s life and work, visit www.upenn.edu/about/founder.php

Philadelphia is Your Oyster

Author: Amanda M. D’Amico

While reading Frankly Penn, I came across two posts: the first by Dan, C’14, and the second by Casey, C’95. Dan talks about a new found love for DC (where he’s spending his summer), while Casey talks about things to do at Penn during the summer.

Having lived in DC for two years, I have a special place in my heart for the nation’s capital as well. What I liked best about DC was the plethora of things to do – many at little or no cost. From the Smithsonian Institution to listening to jazz in the National Sculpture Garden, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

I’ve been back in Philadelphia for a couple of years now, but I haven’t taken advantage of the city very much. Casey’s list of things to do at Penn during the summer inspired me to create a similar for Philadelphia. After some research, I compiled my top ten things to do in Philadelphia this summer (with a few Penn things mixed in).

Watch the Independence Day Parade and then watch The Roots perform at the 4^th of July concert.

Take a guided tour of the Morris Arboretum.
Play mini-golf at Franklin Square.
Listen to country and blue grass bands at the Reading Terminal Market’s Pennsylvania Dutch Festival.
Walk through Penn Park after construction is completed.
Check out one of XPN’s Free at NoonLive concert series.
Penn alumnus, John Legend at WXPN
Have a picnic at the Horticultural Center and visit Shofuso – The Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park.
View important archaeological and anthropological finds and listen to live music at PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights.
Catch a movie at Penn’s Landing and then come back for a jazz concert.
Stroll around Old City during First Friday.