Author: Sabrina S.
In honor of the construction on Locust Walk finishing and a beautiful fall day in anticipation of Homecoming Weekend, here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Hope to see you on campus this weekend!
Monthly Archives: November 2011
Morris Arboretum
Author: Nicole Oddo, C’05
For all my love of Penn places, I had never been to the Morris Arboretum. You might say that is because it is not on campus. Or the fact that it is on the edge of Philadelphia city limits. Either way – living with a car in the city for the last few years and even in the Northwest section of the city – I had no excuse.
I waited until a beautiful fall weekend (it feels like I might have caught the last fall weekend before the snow). Every day, I kept an eye on the trees in my neighborhood in anticipation of my excursion.
After arriving on the grounds (and finding out that I got in for free with a Penn Alumni card) I drove up the winding road to the parking lot. Already, the scenery was beautiful.
First, we checked out the visitors center and picked up the map to discover just how expansive the place was. Immediately I wanted to check out the exhibit, Out on a Limb, that I had read about in The Gazette (read the article here). This exhibit gave a truly unqiue perspective and both children and adults had a chance to be up in the trees. While I am not always one for heights, the very secure exhibit gave such a unique vantage point over the park. From there, I knew we had a lot to explore.
The place was expansive and had a multitude of gardens. I enjoyed the rose garden and a groundhog sighting. You know you live in the city when you get excited to see groundhogs!
My favorite spot was the Pennock Flower Walk—a beautiful flower garden set behind gates that was originally part of the entry way to the Morris mansion. The brightly colored flowers and the walkway made the garden a little oasis in the midst of a very large park.
I highly recommend this Penn treasure and only wish I had discovered it earlier. I’ll be returning for the Holiday Garden Railway.
Lots to Love about Homecoming Weekend
Author: Amanda D’Amico
After our recent, unreasonably early, snowfall, this weekend’s weather forecast – sunny and 58 degrees – seems like almost beach-worthy weather. And what better way to spend it than at Penn’s Homecoming Weekend from Friday, November 4 to Sunday, November 6.
That’s right – Penn’s Homecoming featuring Arts & Culture is this weekend. This weekend is packed-full of interesting activities for alumni and their families. Below are just a few of my personal favorites.
Quaker Exchange: Alumni-Student Speed Networking
One of the greatest advantages that Penn students have – in addition to being some of the best, brightest, and most motivated – is access to the extensive Penn alumni network. Share your career advice and insights with current Penn students in this speed networking event.
Arts & Sciences Quizzo
Join the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Dennis DeTurck, for this arts and sciences trivia game. Participants will work in teams to try to answer questions posed by the College’s faculty.
Wharton Alumni Homecoming Tailgate
All Wharton alumni – undergraduate and graduate – are invited to in Hoover Lounge prior to the Penn v. Princeton Football game. The event will feature a “Taste of Philly.” Not a Wharton graduate? Head over to QuakerFest at Blanche Levy Park (College Green) for a pre-game picnic!
Penn vs. Princeton
As if the Penn/Princeton rivalry wasn’t heated enough, this year’s Homecoming game highlights the competition. The Penn Quakers, who has won two straight Ivy League titles, takes on the Princeton Tigers at 1:00 p.m. on Franklin Field. Go Quakers!
Celebrating Scrabble
Stefan Fatsis, C’85, will discuss his book, Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players. This event will celebrate the tenth anniversary of his book and is perfect for anyone who’s become as obsessed with Words with Friends as I have.
yPenn Homecoming HighBall
Young Penn Alumni (Classes of 1997 – 2011) are invited to join their classmates and raise a highball to dear old Penn. This event will include food, drinks, and fun!
These are only a handful of the interesting events planned for this weekend. For more information, please visit the website now. Registration is closed, but you can walk on and register at any time during the weekend. I hope to see you there!
Locust Walk Talk: A Night in Boston
Author: Casey Ryan, C’95
I had the opportunity to host an Alumni Relations gathering in Boston this October featuring Eric J. Furda, Dean of Admissions. In conjunction with the Admissions Office’s “Introduction to Penn” program the night prior, Alumni Relations partnered with the dean for a general reception. Our event was open to all alumni in the Boston area and we were thrilled by the great response.
The Pru Building as seen from Back Bay
In my last Top Penn List post, I alluded to going into more detail about this great evening in Boston. Our room in the Marriott was set up in Penn navy to contract the reds in the carpet. With a few simple touches, the reception was the subtly Penn themed-background for the evening.
Excited alumni started showing up 15 minutes early and were enthusiastic to engage in conversation with older friends and new acquaintances. I was delighted to feel the enthusiasm of our Boston alumni and I was happy that two of my colleagues, Cat from Admissions and Brett from Wharton, were present to mingle and join in the exchange.
Event Set Up
As soon as the Dean showed up, he entered the lively conversations, learning what was of interest to our alumni that evening. I followed him into the room where he was greeted by groups of alumni huddled around in chat. Energy in the room of the great, engaging discussions that folks were having was so impressive.
Almost apologetically, Eric asked for everyone’s attention to give an update on the Admissions process as well as the state of the student body. The rapt crowd appreciated the insider’s view of life at Penn and eagerly awaited the right time to ask their questions. Folks were inquisitive and ask direct questions. The Dean answered the queries with aplomb and encouraged the interaction. The allotted time for remarks was doubled and almost tripled as alumni wanted to know more.
The energy of the room
After Eric spoke, I was able to slip into the event. I had the rare opportunity to be an alumnus at an event that I just happened to be running. In working behind the scene, I don’t get to experience the impact of these events. However I was able to find two classmates: Clé, a fellow reunion volunteer, and Ari, one of my Class’s Vice Presidents. We had a wonderful time catching up.
Both we’re candid about the event. They told me how impressed they were at the Dean’s message and earnest his work is. Also, they were very interested in staying updated on the Dean’s mission. I was encouraged that they will be at later events. It was great to see them and we made plans for one of the next times I’m up in Boston.
The Dean chatting with alumni
I know why our alumni events are so important – to inform us about Penn, to provide access to our thought leaders and to reconnect with our Penn friends. Now, I have a greater appreciation for our work since having the quick occasion to see an event like this from the alumni side and enjoying its great energy.
Filed under Alumni Perspective, Casey R., Locust Walk Talk, Penn Clubs
Frankly Penn 