Category Archives: Alumni Programming

November 19, 2012 · 12:43 pm

Running in Philly

Author:  Rebecca Eckart, GEd’13

Philadelphia and Penn have a lot of great places and opportunities for runners.   Running on the Schuylkill River Trail has been especially beautiful this month, as the reds and golds of the autumn leaves cascade over the trail and reflect in the river.  As many runners can probably attest, some days are harder than others to get out and go.  But right now, with the lovely fall colors and the cool, crisp autumn air, it’s easy.

My morning view of the Schuylkill River Trail.

Over the summer, as I was saying goodbye to friends and preparing to move to Philly, I really hoped I’d be able to find a good running group at Penn.  I started running about four years ago, and the reason I was able to keep running was that I had a close friend who ran and entered races with me.  Thankfully, when I got to Penn, finding a group wasn’t hard at all!

The second Saturday I was on campus, the Graduate Student Center (GSC), in response to student requests, held a casual run.  There was a good turnout, with close to twenty students attending, a mix of returning and first-year grad students.  We ran from the GSC down to the Schuylkill River Trail, and once there, split up according to distance and pace.  I met some other women with similar pacing and distance goals that day, and we’ve been running together on weekends since.

We’ve also entered races together at Penn and in Philly.  In October, we ran in the Penn Park Homecoming 5k.  The race was a lot of fun and we got official Homecoming 5K shirts.  For me, half the fun of running in races is collecting shirts!

With me friends…That’s me as #43.

Just yesterday, several of us ran in the Philadelphia half-marathon.  My running group and I are all first year grad students, so it was a real challenge to train for a half-marathon while trying to balance our academic, work, and personal schedules.  Some of my friends had time goals for this race, but my goal was just to finish (which I did!).

Running has been an important part of my life at Penn.  It has encouraged me to set new goals and enabled me to make friends outside of my graduate school. After our big race this Sunday, my group is planning to go out for Philly cheesesteaks, and I’m sure we will look for more events in the area to join.

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Filed under Athletics, Campus Life, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Philadelphia, Rebecca E., Student Perspective

November 15, 2012 · 10:05 am

The Battle of 33rd Street

Author: Kelly O’Connor

Get ready for the Battle of 33rd Street this Saturday 11/17 at 4pm when our Penn Quakers take on our neighbors, the Drexel Dragons, at the Palestra.

See what has been happening this week between the Penn Quaker and the Drexel Dragon as they prepare for the showdown this Saturday.

http://youtu.be/vN58RZq5_80

Go Quakers!

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Filed under Athletics, Campus Life, Kelly P.

November 13, 2012 · 2:46 pm

Back at The Palestra, and It Feels So Good

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

The Penn Men’s Basketball season opener was last Friday night at The Palestra. After a rough first half, the Quakers pulled through to beat UMBC 80-75. Here is a photo recap of the evening.

View of The Palestra from the new Shoemaker Green.

The Penn Men’s Basketball team warming up before the season opener.

The giant video board advertises the upcoming game during the warm-ups.

The Penn Cheerleaders and the team huddle moments before the game began.

Fast forward 40 minutes of game time (I was too nervous during the game to take photos)…

Penn students celebrate the big win by showering the Quaker with red and blue streamers.

See you on Saturday, November 17 at 4 PM at The Palestra for The Battle of 33rd Street (aka Penn vs. Drexel).

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Athletics, Campus Life, Penn Basketball, Stephanie Y.

November 9, 2012 · 8:47 am

Exercising in Winter, or “How to Not Gain 20 Pounds Because It’s Cold Outside”

Author: Lillian Gardiner, GeD’11

Just as it seemed I was back on the exercise wagon…it got really stinkin’ cold.

Now, I realize one’s definition of “cold” depends upon where you grew up, how extensive your winter wardrobe is, and whether or not you are a man. But I think it’s COLD! And more relevant to this blog post, I think it’s too cold to exercise outside after dark.

Rather than do what I did the last two winters (hibernate, eat sweets, and gain weight) ,I committed to finding ways to be healthy that work with my budget and lifestyle. Thus I immediately crossed off “run at 6 AM” and “join a gym for $65 a month.”

I have found a few things that help to keep me headed to the gym, even on winter days like we’ve had recently.

TIP 1: Set a long term exercise goal. To keep me motivated, I set a goal to run the Broad Street 10 miler or a half-marathon in the spring. I’m goal-oriented so this helps me stay motivated on days when I’d rather go straight to bed after work (every day).

TIP 2:  Commit to manageable, realistic exercise goals. I know that if I promise myself I’ll exercise every single day, I will soon run out of steam. I do know that I can swing three days a week; even if that means walking to work once, doing a short exercise video at home, or biking on the weekends. If I keep the exercise goals within limits, chances are that I won’t burn out or disappoint myself, and I might even exercise more than four times a week.

TIP 3: Join a gym.  For budget-conscious Penn students and staff (like me) consider joining the Fox Fitness Center. For staff, it’s $180 for the year (versus $378 for Pottruck); this prices out to be about $15 a month–a huge steal!  Though Fox Fitness Center does not  have a pool or locker rooms, it does offer exercise machines and free weights. Best of all, it’s never crowded. Check it out here.

TIP 4: Look for fitness deals. I started scouring the daily coupons sites LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com for discounted gym or yoga classes. I love yoga, but $18 per class is above my budget level. With coupons, I’ve taken excellent yoga classes for as low as $10. And that allows me to do things like…

…Purchasing these new work-out shoes, shown here against the backdrop of the autumnal view of Locust Walk.

I will not be posting before and after photos of my physique, but let’s just say,  I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances of exercising three days a week this winter.   You should join me!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Athletics, Lillian G.

November 8, 2012 · 4:53 pm

I Voted! Now What?

Author: Lisa V., C’02, GeD’10

With the 2012 Presidential Election just days behind us, it’s easy to fall into that post-election malaise. No more dramatic political Facebook rants to follow with eager disdain.  No more parody-esque campaign ads to watch at 4 times the speed as you fast forward through commercial breaks on your DVR.  But fear not!  For now is the time for post-election analysis, that beautiful window between the chaos of the campaign and the start of the (not so) new administration.  It is the opportunity for political pundits of all persuasions to explore the the infinite ways in which the president just might screw up before he actually has the opportunity to do so.

Luckily for those of us at Penn, we have access to an incredible array of experts who can help us make sense of the election results without the punditry.  Check out the links below to join the conversation!

Eleven Penn Law faculty members share their insights into how the election was conducted and what it means for health reform, economic recovery, immigration, women’s rights and a host of other issues vital to the country’s future follows. You can read all of their thoughts and insights here.

Members of the Fox Leadership Group, Penn Leads the Vote, working the polls at Vance Hall on November 6, 2012.

On Thursday, November 15, 2012 from  12-1 PM Penn’s political science faculty experts will recount the final moments leading up to Election Day, eleventh-hour campaign twists, and, ultimately, the results.  Attend the discussion on campus (and get free pizza!) in Houston Hall’s Benjamin Franklin Room or watch live online. Go here for more info.

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Filed under Academics, Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Lisa V.

November 1, 2012 · 1:35 pm

Ode to the Penn Quaker

Author: Amanda D’Amico

Walkers, Banes, and Kantisses took the world by storm this Halloween. While these costumes — and each corresponding show or movie — represent today’s pop culture, I thought Halloween was the perfect time to highlight a costume that never goes out of style: the Penn Quaker.

Despite widespread belief among students, the Quaker has nothing to do with the University’s founder or its early administration. According to an article in the Daily Pennsylvanian from February 2010, the “Penn Quakers” came into being during the late 19th century.

Sportscasters referred to many teams in Pennsylvania as Quakers—as the Commonwealth was founded by a Quaker, William Penn, and guaranteed Quakers the freedom to practice their religion. Because of the University of Pennsylvania’s outstanding athletic prowess during this time (and into the mid-20th century) the nickname “Quakers” stuck to the University.

So no, Benjamin Franklin was not a Quaker. And no, “the Fighting Quaker” isn’t the mascot’s real name. But despite these common misconceptions and the fact that Penn has no historical ties to the Religious Society of Friends, the Quaker remains an icon on campus —through multiple iterations.

Old Quaker

New Quaker

Read more about the history of the Penn Quaker in the Daily Pennsylvanian or view images of the beloved mascot on the University’s Flickr stream.

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Filed under Amanda D., Athletics, Ben Franklin, Historical

October 25, 2012 · 12:59 pm

Discs of Glory: My Experience on an Intramural Frisbee Team

Author: Jonathan Cousins, SEAS’14

Being on an intramural sports team at Penn is a unique experience. Last semester, I played intramural basketball, and while it was fun, we lost most of our games. It was also stressful to be the captain, and be responsible for a $100 performance bond if your team decided to not show up one day (this almost happened).  But this fall I found a new group and a new sport – Ultimate Frisbee.

Ultimate Frisbee is interesting in its own right. There are no referees, and the game is completely self-policed by the two teams. The only outside intervention is from a Penn Rec employee calling out the end of each half. The objective is simple – catch the Frisbee in the end zone. But as the game plays out the intricacies present themselves – making a quick step to get open, diving to knock away a Frisbee and defending one side of the person throwing the Frisbee all become clear.

But this is not professional Frisbee, in fact far from it. We are a group of friends trying to have some fun. This attitude produces some memorable moments. Like the time we were winning by five points, and my roommate Surya called a time-out to set up a victory celebration. When we next scored, our team lined up like bowling pins and I “bowled” the Frisbee and knocked everyone down. Even the other team thought it was funny. We also have a pre-game chant involving group circle and much loud chanting of the word “WORK!” and our team name’s acronym (Discs of Glory – so DOG).

While much of the game is fun, there is a lot of intensity also. We have had multiple last-second catches to end either a half or the game, lots of diving, and even some more serious collisions.  Last week, Surya and another teammate slid to the ground in the corner where there was dirt and came up bloody. A few weeks prior, Surya was hit with a shoulder the head on a contested catch that looked like a football highlight hit (he was ok).

Through all of this, we have had a great time and have grown closer as friends. We have out last regular season game on Tuesday, and then it is off to the playoffs. The season has been full of ups and downs so far, and I am sure that will continue. The game on Monday is a rematch against the only team we have lost to so far, and it is sure to be another close one. The first time we played this particular team, they won on a last-second catch in the end zone, and neither of us has lost since.

It seems only fitting that I end this piece the same way we end our pre-game chants. No matter what happens, at the end of the day, DOGS WORK!

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Filed under Athletics, Jonathan C., Student Perspective

October 24, 2012 · 1:51 pm

The Red & Blue

Author: Liz Pinnie

I’m not a particularly big fan of khakis.  It might have to do with the fact that from the ages of seven to seventeen my only “casual wear” pants were khakis.  Yes, I dressed like a mom.  No, it did not help my social status.  When I (read: my friends) finally forced myself to put on a pair of jeans in an attempt at social rectification, I discovered that jeans were 1. not nearly as tragically uncomfortable as previously assumed and 2. The Best Thing Ever.  Since these discoveries, I have been a practicing Non-Khaki-Wearer.

However, Penn’s Homecoming Weekend featuring arts & culture might just change all of this.

With Homecoming on the horizon, I can’t help but get a little Penn-giddy.  I’m excited for the heart thumping beats of the Penn Band, the shouts of the cheerleaders, and the vibrant crowds of alumni and their families. At the risk of sounding a bit shallow, I’m also terribly excited for the outfits.  At every Penn event I’ve attended, I’ve become more and more impressed with the massively creative Red & Blue wardrobes that our alumni pull out.

As someone who loves colors, looking up Locust Walk and seeing the rich reds and bright blues, the boaters, the madras, all surrounded by the yellows from the leaves on the trees, is a real treat.  However, it isn’t just my love of outfits, or color, or fashion blogs that makes this vision so enjoyable to me.  Rather it’s what these sometimes over the top outfits mean: our Penn Alumni are proud of Penn, and they want to show their pride in any and all ways possible.

So I’ve decided that this is my year to join in.  After work today, I’m headed on a quest for the most ridiculously vibrant red or blue pants to couple with a nice Penn rugby, which I plan on topping off with a classic Penn scarf.  Too much?  Never!  When there’s Penn Pride, you might as well show it.

Hope to see you all this weekend, for some serious Red & Blue.

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Athletics, Campus Life, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Liz P.

October 23, 2012 · 6:45 pm

Share Your Homecoming Weekend in Real Time

Author: Aimee LaBrie

We are counting down the hours until Homecoming Weekend featuring Arts & Culture this Friday and Saturday. Though our online registration has closed, all alumni and friends are welcome to walk on to join the fun at any time.  Once you’re back on Locust Walk or cheering at Franklin Field, we also invite you to share your stories and photos via our social networking channels.  Here are just a few ways you can use online networking to make the weekend even more enjoyable for all involved.

Twitter: You can tune into our live tweets throughout the weekend by following us on Twitter, and we also ask that you share your status updates on your own Twitter account by using the special hash tag: #PennHW.

Facebook: Go ahead let your friends now that you’ve returned to Penn for Homecoming through Facebook posts—you might even inspire them to hop in a cab to join you at the Taste of Penn. Once the weekend is over, we’ll be searching for posts and tweets related to Homecoming and using them to create a Storify memory of the weekend that you can share.

Mobile app: Need to find the location of an event? Want to check out the Look Who’s Coming list? Interested in creating your own personal schedule for the weekend? Go to the i-Tunes app store to download the free mobile app by searching  for “Penn Homecoming Weekend.” You can also view the mobile version of the website on any smart phone by using the web browser and directing it to:  http://www.alumni.upenn.edu/mobilehomecoming.

Instagram: If you have an Instagram account, join Penn Alumni’s Instagram stream and share your photos with us.  We want to see your best pictures of you and your friends as you enjoy the many activities during the weekend, and especially during the football game as you cheer the Quakers on to a sure win against the Brown Bears.

Finally, if you’re still teetering between whether to come back to campus this weekend, maybe I can sway you with one more push via social networking. Enjoy this short video snippet of the arts-related programming that you’re sure to love. See you soon!

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Social Networking

October 18, 2012 · 3:34 pm

Homecoming Weekend Give-Away

Author: Kelly O’Connor

Get your scarf at Homecoming!

Only two days left to pre-register for Homecoming Weekend featuring Arts & Culture at Penn. Register today to guarantee your lovely Penn scarf. Collect them all!

Check out the Quaker modeling this year’s version:

 

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Kelly P.