Category Archives: Alumni Programming

Penn Serves LA: Holidays are a Time for Giving

By Jane Gutman, CW’73, PAR’14, PAR’16

Holidays are a time for giving, and also for giving back. Fourteen years ago a man named Tom Bagamane and his sister decided to pack forty grocery bags and hand them out to homeless people they saw near home and work. The weekend of December 12 – 15, 2013, volunteers with The Giving Spirit headed to all parts of Los Angeles and handed full duffle bags to 2,600 homeless people. The bags were not dropped off in parks or near shelters, rather The Giving Spirit volunteers found isolated people and interacted with them in the process of handing over a bag filled with fresh and canned food, socks, hats, rain gear, toiletries and the like, along with an industrial strength blanket.

Giving Spirit group Dec.13.2013

On the Friday night of that weekend, over fifty Penn Serves LA volunteers of all ages congregated at a church in West LA to help to make greeting cards and pack Tupperware and ziplocks with necessities for The Giving Spirit’s bags. As Mr. Bagamane told the Penn crowd, The Giving Spirit knows it cannot cure homelessness, but it hopes to make the holidays and the coldest part of winter just a little easier for “our friends living on the street.” He asked the Penn alumni how it would feel to never hear your name spoken or to line up with your kids just to have a roof over your head for a few hours.

Giving Spirit 1 Dec.13.2013

Giving Spirit 2 Dec.13.2013

The Penn group pitched in for a few hours – some hauling heavy boxes, some joining the assembly lines, some binding blankets. It was a cold night, but we had lots of company and warm food provided by local restaurants…and we were reminded yet again how very lucky we are not to live in a tent or a box on the street. After a fulfilling and collegial evening, our Penn alumni headed back to their cars and homes, and over the Penn shirts they had donned many wore The Giving Spirit t-shirt emblazoned with, “GIVE HOPE LOVE”…and that’s what the holidays are all about!

Giving Spirit 4 Dec.13.2013

Giving Spirit 3 Dec.13.2013

All alumni, Penn parents, families and their children are invited to the next Penn Serves LA event on Sunday, February 23, 2014, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at One to One Outreach. Back by popular demand, we will return to assemble and deliver boxes of food to the low income, food-insecure of South Central Los Angeles. Children over 8 years are invited to attend. Bring a bit of joy and relief to those in need with us. Click here to sign up for this event.

About Penn Serves LA – Started in 2012, Penn Serves offers a way for direct community service for local Penn alumni and their children to serve Los Angeles’ most needy populations. We partner with established nonprofits and grassroots organizations for one-time volunteer opportunities. So far, we’ve served meals to the homeless, delivered food to low income families, planned activities with immigrant children, and so much more. Please contact us if you’d like to help at a future event via email at pennservesla@gmail.com or visit our website.

Read about our past events:

November, 2013 – Sending Holiday Warmth to our Troops

August and September, 2013 – Serving the Environment and LA Leadership Academy

May, 2013 – One on One Outreach

March, 2013 – Habitat for Humanity

January, 2013 – Inner City Arts

September, 2012 – The Midnight Mission

June, 2012 – Turning Point Shelter

 

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Guest blogger, Los Angeles, Penn Clubs, Penn Serves LA, Photos, Volunteering, West Coast Regional Office

Penn Alumni Clubs Toast Ben Franklin

#PennToastsBen

Ben Birthday Bash

By Kiera Reilly, C’93  @KieraReilly

Penn’s founder, Benjamin Franklin, is celebrating his 308th birthday on January 17, 2014. Join Penn alumni in a city near you for this year’s festivities!

Cities/clubs celebrating this year include: Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Las Vegas, Lehigh Valley, London, Long Island, Los Angeles, Metro NJ, New Haven, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northern California, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, Shanghai, Seattle, and Westchester/Rockland Counties.

Follow the fun on Twitter with the hashtag #PennToastsBen

Baltimore

Penn Club of Baltimore

Friday, January 31, 2014

5:00 pm -7:00 pm

The Party Room/Area at The Greene Turtle

1606 Whetstone Way

Baltimore (South Bmore/Fed Hill), MD 21230

Join the Penn Club of Baltimore for appetizers and a cash bar to celebrate the birthday of Penn’s founder, Ben Franklin. Start the New Year with your follow Penn alumni. For questions or to RSVP, contact pennbalt@yahoo.com.

Boston

Penn Club of Boston

Thursday, January 16, 2014

7:00 pm

Max Brenner

745 Boylston Street

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubBoston

Celebrate Ben Franklin’s Birthday with desserts at Max Brenner!

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk St in Boston, MA in 1706? He then went on to attend Boston Latin School, ran away to Philadelphia at the age of 17, and eventually helped found the University of Pennsylvania and went on to become one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Today, his legacy lives on in the field of politics, philosophy, science, and education.

Join us on January 16th at 7pm at Max Brenner’s as we celebrate the legacy of the illustrious man and founder of Penn, Ben Franklin. RSVP is required. RSVP through the Penn Club of Boston website or by sending an email to stephanieh@pennclubofboston.org. RSVP Here!

Houston

Penn Club of Houston

Thursday, January 16, 2014

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Camerata

1834 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX

713.522.VINO

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubHouston

Penn Houston is celebrating Ben’s 308th birthday at Camerata, a cool, recently opened Montrose wine bar that has a laid-back vibe and amazing wine list. First glass and apps are on the club! Join us to kick off 2014 with familiar faces and new friends as we reminisce on Ben and good old Penn. Advance registration required via our website.

Registrants & Fees:                       Registrant Fee

Child/Guest of Member                $ 5.00

Child/Guest of Non-Member        $ 10.00

Member Penn Club of Houston    $ 5.00

Non-Member Penn Club of Houston   $ 10.00

More info on Camerata: Popular among bar and restaurant critics, Camerata was named in December as the 3rd hottest wine bar in the country by Eater National and has been featured by Texas Monthly, Houston Press, Culturemap, the Houston Chronicle, and Eater Houston, to name a few. Owned by Paul Petronella and directly adjacent to his restaurant Paulie’s, Camerata offers an ever-changing bottle list from ex-Uchi Houston beverage director David Keck in a space that draws a hip, younger crowd.

Parking: Camerata is located on Westheimer, between Driscoll Street and Morse Sreet. Parking can be find on either side street, and entrances are on Westheimer and the back of the restaurant.

Las Vegas

Penn Club of Las Vegas

Friday, January 17, 2014

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Banger Brewing (downtown)

Follow on Twitter: @PennLV

The Penn Club of Las Vegas is excited to host the Vegas Ivy Plus community for a beer tasting in honor of Big Ben’s Birthday. There will be discounted drinks for our group as well as a tour of the brewery. Beer + education = win win for us and Ben.

We hope you can make it and are looking forward to seeing you all there. Last year we had a great turnout and a great time. Note: Ben Franklin wigs optional (kidding).

Questions, email: Lea Artis, C’08 at leartis@alumni.upenn.edu. (And even if you can’t, make sure you’re on our email list!) PS. Visit our new website PennLV.com for all upcoming events and news.

Connect with PCLV on: Facebook  |LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Lehigh Valley

Penn Alumni Club of the Lehigh Valley

Thursday, January 16, 2014

6:00 – 7:00 PM Happy Hour

7:00 PM Dinner

Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse

2805 Lehigh Street (just off Rt. 309)

Allentown, PA

“Take time for all things; great haste makes great waste”

The Penn Club invites you and your guest(s) to Ben’s Birthday Bash (“eve”) celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s 308th birthday.

Two menu options: The Full Rodizio – $28.99 – Enjoy a variety of rotisserie grilled meats carved table side, glazed pineapple, a gourmet salad bar, and authentic Brazilian appetizers, all Unlimited! Gourmet Salads – $16.99 – Enjoy unlimited authentic Brazilian appetizers and unlimited trips to the gourmet salad bar, featuring over 30 hot and cold items. Rodizio is 100% MSG free, 100% Peanut free, and 95% Gluten free. We hope to see you there. Please rsvp and indicate if you are joining us for Happy Hour, Dinner or Both (hopefully both!) We need to give the restaurant an accurate count so that they can accommodate us properly.

RSVP to Joan at info@pennclublehighvalley.com.

London

Penn Club of the UK

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

7:00 pm

21 Covent Garden

21 The Market

WC2E 8RD London

In celebration of Ben Franklin’s birthday, we are celebrating our beloved founder’s special day with drinks. Come join us at 21 Covent Garden from 7 PM, where we will have a reserved area in the bar overlooking the Covent Garden Piazza. Feel free to bring a Ben Franklin-related item… We’ll buy a drink for the person with the best or most unique item!
Looking forward to seeing you and raising a toast to dear ol’ Ben.

Questions? Email the club at pennalumniuk@gmail.com.

Long Island

Penn Club of Long Island

Thursday, January 23, 2014

7:30 pm

Vespa

Great Neck, NY

Join us in celebration of Ben Franklin’s Birthday, Ben’s Bash. There will be a brief Club meeting, followed by dinner.

Los Angeles

PennClubLA

Friday, January 17, 2014

7:30 – 9:00 pm

The Churchill

8384 W 3rd St

West Hollywood, CA 90048

Note: Location change, no longer at The Pikey!

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubLA

Ben Franklin Birthday hat 2

Happy New Year Penn Alumni! We would like to invite you to come celebrate Ben Franklin’s birthday with fellow classmates at The Churchill this Friday! Help us cheers to dear old Ben! Find more information and RSVP here.

Metro NJ

Penn Club of Metro New Jersey

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

7:30 PM

Birthday Cake and Open Board meeting

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubMetroNJ

All Metro NJ Penn Alumni and Penn Parents are invited to join us for Ben Franklin’s Birthday Bash at the home of Carol Michaels. After an open board meeting, there will be refreshments including Ben’s birthday cake. RSVP here.

New Haven, CT

Penn Club of New Haven

January 19th, 2014

6:30pm

Linsly Chittenden Hall, 63 High Street

New Haven, CT

Ben Franklin’s Birthday Celebration and Speaker Event

Join us for a presentation entitled “Callings and Culture-Picking: Lessons on Work and Food from the Wilds of Psychology” (topics that were of great interest to Ben!) by Penn Psychology Professor Dr. Paul Rozin and our own Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski, C ’94, of the Yale School of Management, followed by refreshments and birthday cake! The event is free, but RSVP via email to robpennclubnh@gmail.com.

Northeastern Pennsylvania

Penn Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA)

Sunday, January 12, 2014

11:30 am – 2:00 pm

East Mountain Inn, in the Bistro

Off Exit 170-A of I-81

Ben Franklin Bountiful Buffet Birthday Bash

with Special guest speaker

Gregory E. Johnson, CFP®

Director of Gift Planning

University of Pennsylvania

Attire for the day is casual. Buffet will be served (cash bar). The price for the event is $30 per person. If you like to avoid the rush please include your dues of $15 for 2014.

RSVP no later than Thursday, January 9th by calling 570.208.3130, ext. 147 or by e-mailing me at AndrewPasonick@penneastern.com.

Northern California

Penn Club of Northern California

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

6:00 – 8:00 pm

O3 Bistro & Lounge

524 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102 (Google Map)

Follow on Twitter: @NCPennClub

Penn’s founder, Benjamin Franklin, is celebrating his 308th birthday in January 2014. Join Penn alumni for this year’s festivities! Join us as we mingle with familiar and new alums and play Ben Franklin and Penn trivia! Event details here.

Cost: $10 with advanced registration, $15 at the door (ticket includes appetizers and one drink)

RSVP: Click here to purchase tickets

Orange County, CA

Penn Club of Orange County

Thursday, January 16, 2014

5:30 – 7:00 pm

Bluewater Grill at the District

2409 Park Ave.

Tustin, CA 92782

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubOC

Please join Orange County area alumni us for a fun evening of networking and remembering Ben. Also, bring ideas of events you would like to see our club take on this year!

RSVP to penncluboc@gmail.com so that we know how many will be in attendance. We look forward to seeing you there and starting off 2014 in celebration!

“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.”

― Benjamin Franklin

Philadelphia

Penn Club of Philadelphia

Saturday, January 11, 2014

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Lecture series brunch at The Plough & the Stars, 123 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Private guided tour at Benjamin Franklin Museum, 317 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Follow on Twitter: @PennClub

Ben Franklin’s Birthday Bash! Lecture Series Brunch and Private Museum Tour

Come celebrate the University of Pennsylvania’s Founding Father’s 308th Birthday at the new Benjamin Franklin Museum in Philadelphia!

Join us for a lecture series brunch at The Plough & the Stars restaurant in Old City with Penn Professor John Milner, Adjunct Professor of Architecture Historic Preservation and two project directors from Quinn Evans Architects, the architecture firm responsible for renovating and expanding the Benjamin Franklin Museum in Philadelphia. Following the brunch, we will experience a private guided tour of the new Benjamin Franklin Museum in Old City.

Cost: $25 for members; $40 for non-members

RSVP: Click here to buy tickets!

http://www.pennclubphilly.org/article.html?aid=832

Phoenix, AZ

Penn-Wharton Club of Arizona

Thursday, January 16, 2014

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

University Club of Phoenix

39 E. Monte Vista

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Follow on Twitter: @Penn_Wharton_AZ

Join fellow alumni as we once again celebrate Ben’s Birthday at our annual Ben Franklin Birthday Bash. This is always one of our most popular events, so be sure to sign up early.

DETAILS Appetizers and a birthday cake, Cash Bar

COST: $20

Appropriately, at this event we honor our Ben Franklin Sponsor members. We appreciate the additional support; you and a guest are invited to this event at NO CHARGE. Red & Blue Society members and a guest attend all events at NO CHARGE. Special Invitation to our Young Alumni to join us at NO CHARGE.

RSVP: Click here to RSVP!!!

Portland, OR

Penn Club of Portland

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

5:30 – 7:00 pm (or until the last person leaves)

Kells Irish Brew Pub.

210 NW 21st Avenue

(betw. NW Davis St. and NW Everett St.)

Portland, OR

Ben Franklin portrait

Benjamin Franklin’s 308th Birthday Happy Hour

While touring Ireland in 1771, Benjamin Franklin was moved by the level of poverty he observed. Since Ireland’s economy was governed by the same trade regulations and laws of Britain that governed America, Franklin’s observation, that America could suffer the same effects should Britain’s colonial rule continue, fueled his passion for independence. So, once again this year, we are celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s 308th birthday with a nod to Ireland on Wednesday, January 15th (actually two days before his birthday) at Kells Irish Brew Pub.

Look for friends, smiling faces and/or small Penn flag.

RSVPs, while not required, are always appreciated to club president John Vosmek at John Vosmek john.vosmek@vosmek.com.

San Antonio, TX

Penn Club of San Antonio

Friday, January 17, 2014

11:30 AM

Youz Guyz South Philly Cheesesteaks

316 Pat Booker Road

Universal City 78148

The Penn Alumni Club of San Antonio will continue our tradition of celebrating Ben’s Birthday Bash on Friday, January 17. Once again we will gather, starting at 11:30 A.M., at San Antonio’s Philly cheese steak emporium and our informal clubhouse, Youz Guyz South Philly CheeseSteaks, phone 210-659-8930. Be ready for Quizzo while we munch our lunch.

RSVP by Monday, January 13, to Elaine Ayala, eayala@express-news.net, 210-250-3402.

San Diego, CA

Penn Club of San Diego

Friday, January 17, 2014

6:00 pm – ?

Eddie’s

3501 30th Street

Follow on Twitter: @PennClubSD

The Penn Club of San Diego will celebrate Ben’s Birthday Bash! A small corner is being reserved at 6pm at Eddie’s! Cheesesteaks, Tastycakes and other menu items will be available for purchase.

RSVP by emailing pennclubsd@gmail.com.

Seattle, WA

Penn Club of Seattle

Bowling for Ben

Sunday, January 12, 2014

5:00 – 7:00 pm

The Garage Bowling and Billiards

1130 Broadway (on Capitol Hill)

Seattle, WA 98122

Follow on Twitter: @PenninSeattle

Join the Penn Alumni Club of Seattle in celebrating Ben Franklin’s 308th birthday with an evening of bowling, billiards, food and drink at the great space known as “The Garage” on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Bowling begins at 5:00 PM. You can bowl, schmooze, eat and drink, play some billiards and just enjoy the company of local Penn alumni and parents. Cost for the night will be $10, which includes bowling and shoe rentals. $20 includes bowling, shoe rental and a Penn Club of Seattle t-shirt! (Food and drink will be on you).

RSVPs are required at http://www.pennclubofseattle.com/item/554706. Space is limited so sign up today!

Shanghai

Ben Franklin birthday hat

Penn Club of Shanghai

Thursday, January 23, 2014

7:30 – 9:30 PM

Sarment Wine Bar

Reel Mall, 1601 West Nanjing Road

( 南京西路1601号2楼202-1室, 近常德路)

Wines start from 45RMB. Buy two glasses get one free.

Ben Franklin’s Birthday Bash and Standing Committee Elections

To kick off the Penn Club’s events in the new year, we are commemorating our University’s founding father, Ben Franklin, with a birthday bash in his honor. Please join us for some drinks and good times with your fellow alumni!

During the birthday bash, we will hold our annual standing committee (i.e. board) elections. We encourage all alumni interested in helping shape the future direction of our club to take part in the election by either running for a position or simply by attending and voting during the elections. The position that are available for election:

Chairman (President)

Secretary of the Treasury (Treasurer)

Secretary of Propaganda (Secretary)

Secretary of Internal Affairs (Webmaster)

Secretary of Labor (Professional Events)

Secretary of Education (Educational Events)

Secretary of Civil Affairs (Community Service Events)

Secretary of Social Affairs (Social Events)

Secretary of Recruitment (Secondary School Committee)

If you are interested in learning more about running for a position, please email us at penn.club.shanghai@gmail.com. We will accept nominations for positions until Tuesday, January 21.

Westchester/Rockland Counties, NY

Penn Club of Westchester and Rockland Counties

Saturday, January 25, 2014

7:30 pm pub fare and drinks

9:30 pm Penn Alumni Band, “The Velcrows”

MTK Tavern

30 East Main Street

Mt. Kisco, NY

(914-218-3334)

Ben’s Birthday Bash featuring Penn Alumni Band “The Velcrows” at MTK Tavern

This year we are heading to Mt. Kisco to enjoy great food and drinks while enjoying the music of a Penn Alumni Band!

Mingle with fellow alumni while enjoying pub fare and drinks from 7:30 to 9:30PM, and then Randi Nielsen, W’84, Robert Birkenholz, ME’82, and Mike Rosenman, C’76, will be performing with their band, The Velcrows, at this fun venue! MTK Tavern is located in Mt. Kisco, an easy walk from the train station if you would rather not drive. The evening will conclude with a cake to celebrate Ben Franklin’s birthday!

RSVP/PAYMENT (includes cover charge and from 7:30-9:30PM: food and wine/beer/soft drinks): Through January 20th: $50 for members  and $60 for nonmembers; From January 21st through January 25th: $60 for members and $70 for nonmembers; Use the red link below to rsvp and pay by MC/Visa or to pay by check, email the event chairperson, Wendy Weinstein at wendy.weinstein.karp@gmail.com with the number of attendees and then send a check payable to “The Penn Club of Westchester & Rockland Counties” and write “Ben’s Birthday Bash” on the memo portion of the check. Please send the check to Club Treasurer: Pamela Harpaz, 12 Woodmill Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514.

For questions or additional information, please contact the event chairperson: Wendy Weinstein at  wendy.weinstein.karp@gmail.com.

Click here to buy tickets!!!

Philadelphia

Celebration in Philadelphia honoring Ben Franklin

Celebration! Benjamin Franklin, Founder, will present the Franklin Founders Award to Dr. Edward O. Wilson in recognition of his lifetime of work in the natural sciences, and his insights into the genetic basis of the social behavior of animals, including humans. Recognized worldwide as a leading authority on ants, Dr. Wilson has used his findings on social species to develop cutting-edge theories about human behavior. His 2012 book, The Social Conquest of Earth, looks at altruism and conflict in human society. Dr. Wilson, who received the Pulitzer Prize in 1979, is an emeritus professor at Harvard University.

The day’s Philadelphia celebration includes a free morning seminar on the topic of Observing the World, featuring:

Robert McCracken Peck, Senior Fellow, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Dr. Douglas W. Tallamy, Chair of the Dept. of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware

A procession up 5th Street to Dr. Franklin’s grave will be followed by a luncheon honoring Dr. Wilson.

AGENDA

9am-10:30am Seminar, Franklin Hall (free)

11am-11:30am Procession and wreath-laying at Franklin’s Grave (free)

11:45am – 1:45pm Luncheon at The Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut Street

Please visit www.ushistory.org/celebration for more information and registration

Click here for Registration / Luncheon Tickets

 Don’t forget to post your photos and fun with the hashtag #PennToastsBen

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Clubs, GAN, Kiera R., Penn Clubs, Social Networking, Uncategorized, West Coast Regional Office

For the Blue

Author: Liz Pinnie

Braveheart2

Short of smearing blue paint on your face and wearing a kilt, it can be challenging to capture the attention of many, and urge them towards a singular goal.

However, this remains one of my broader goals within my position as Assistant Director for the Penn Alumni Interview Program.  Like much of Penn, the Interview Program is a complex swirling vortex of ideas, passions, data, collaboration, integration, and the slightly wild goal of offering interviews to 100% of applicants.  In order to try and explain this, I decided to test out a (slightly) new free platform called Prezi.

Prezi provides users a blank slate with which to create a presentation that is aimed at capturing the attention of its viewers with its outside-of-the-box options.  For a great example, check out this awesome resume from Prezi all-star Pascal.  Outside the box, right!?  I must admit that ours is a bit more stayed than Pascal’s, but I think (and hope!) it gets out point across.

The Interview Program hopes to offer an interview to each and every one of Penn’s undergraduate applicants by 2015.  Why?  You’ll just have to watch our Prezi to see.

And!  If you find yourself inspired, excited, willing to join, or just plain curious, let me know!  Sign up to interview on our member registration page, or email us.

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Interview Program, Liz P.

Great Outcomes

Author: Patrick Bredehoft

Well done is better than well said.

~Ben Franklin

As we look to the winter months ahead, I’d like to to acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of our alumni interviewers around the world.  In Early Decision this year, Penn admitted the most accomplished cohort of applicants in the school’s history.   Our alumni interviewers helped to make that possible.  In the span of just a few short weeks in November, Penn alumni interviewed more than 5600 Early Decision and QuestBridge applicants, covering all 50 US States and 78 countries on six continents.  The total interview coverage for Early Decision applicants was a tremendous 97%, compared with about 81% the year before.

Of course, there are many interviews still to come.  Penn’s Regular Decision applicant pool will likely include more than 25,000 students from over 140 countries, and our extraordinary alumni will work to reach as many of these students as possible throughout January and February.  We are enormously proud of the way our past Penn students contribute to future classes at the university, and we’re optimistic that this will continue to be a record-breaking year!

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Interview Program, Patrick B., Uncategorized, Volunteering

Ancient Rome and Instagram in Los Angeles

By Kiera Reilly, C’93  @KieraReilly

Last month, members of the Southern California Regional Advisory Board (otherwise known as SCRAB) gathered to hear my classmate, Darius Arya, Ph.D., C’93, speak about storytelling cultural heritage through modern means, namely via social media tools such as Instagram and Twitter. Dar lives in Rome and is the CEO and co-founder of the American Institute for Roman Culture.

After re-connecting with him and his wife Erica Firpo, C’94, while in Rome this past May, I’ve been following them both as they share local scenes via Twitter and Instagram (Erica via @moscerina and Dar via @SaveRome). When I heard Dar would be in Los Angeles in November, I asked if he would speak to SCRAB about his work, and he graciously agreed.

An example of Dar's Instagram from a few weeks ago with this caption: The curve. Romans perfected the arch. Here, in Trajan's Markets they turned it on its side (and lined it with shops) to hold back the Quirinal Hill #culturalheritage #rome #archaeology

An example of Dar’s Instagram from a few weeks ago with this caption: The curve. Romans perfected the arch. Here, in Trajan’s Markets they turned it on its side (and lined it with shops) to hold back the Quirinal Hill #culturalheritage #rome #archaeology

The group gathered at Culina – a modern Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. Everyone sipped Prosecco and munched on bruschetta while waiting for everyone to arrive. We then sat down for a family-style dinner while Dar spoke about utilizing digital media to engage a global audience and tell stories about cultural heritage.

DSCN1344 Denise Winner-Roz Pinkus

SCRAB co-president Denise Winner, W’83, and Roz Pinkus, CW’64, PAR’94, GPAR’17

Marty Caan, W'69, PAR'11, and Jack Tauber, C'73, PAR'08

Marty Caan, W’69, PAR’11, and Jack Tauber, C’73, PAR’08

DSCN1351 Rob Weingarten-Salvador Brau-Pam Weingarten-Nora Brau

Bob Weingarten, C’74, PAR’12, Salvador Brau, C’67, Pam Weingarten, PAR’12, and Nora Brau,.

DSCN1350 Eric Reiter-Darius Arya-Jackie Bral

Eric Reiter, W’97, our speaker Darius Arya, C’93, and Jackie Bral, PAR’15, PAR’15

Table

Our elegant family-style dinner table at Culina.

It was an interesting lesson to hear how modern tools can reach a vast global audience and help share the stories of ancient roman culture, and hopefully help to further preserve these ancient sites.

My Instagram from the event @KieraReilly

My Instagram from the event @KieraReilly

For more on ancient Rome, follow Dar’s informative posts on his Instagram account @SaveRome.

For more information on the American Institute for Roman Culture, see their website at: http://romanculture.org/. You may also see Dar as he appears frequently in History, Discovery, and National Geographic documentaries and pursues projects relating to cultural heritage management, preservation, promotion, outreach, and communications.

SaveRome Rome in Snow

Dar’s Instagram from Dec. 12: Winter blues. Getting jealous of all the great winter shots I’ve been seeing on IG. Sure Rome has its Christmas atmosphere: trees, nativity scenes, light, fair in Piazza Navona, smell of roasted chestnuts are on the air, and the Lungotevere sycamore trees are becoming bare… But we really just have two district seasons: wet and dry– no snow… With some exceptions. Almost two years ago snow fell in Rome for the first time in over 20 years. So I cheer up with memories from that magical moment. #latergram #culturalheritage #rome #archaeology

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Class of 1993, Kiera R., Notable Alumni, Photos, Social Networking, West Coast Regional Office

yPenn Speaker Series

Author: Ada Yeung, C’13

As part of the yPenn Speaker Series, Trustee David (W’87, WG’88) and Beth (W’88, WG’92) Ertel graciously hosted an intimate gathering of young Penn alumni at their beautiful home overlooking Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. Giving was definitely the theme of the night as the Ertels initiated an engaging dialogue centered around on how young Penn alumni can give back and positively impact the Penn community. A dinner reception quickly followed where we had a chance to connect in smaller groups and meet other young alumni in Miami. Great food, great company, and great conversation definitely made this night a successful one.

ertel3 ertel2

ertel1

 

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Marvin R., Nicole S.

Penn Gymnastics Did What?

By Nicole C. Maloy, W’95

Hanging out at the bar with Carissa Lim, C’16, Penn Varsity Gymnastics team member. You may notice a subtle size differential. (Side note – this is me demonstrating the full extent of my skills on this apparatus.)

Penn Gymnastics will open the season TONIGHT at Hutch! Details in red later in this post.

This past summer I was leaning forward, elbows on my knees, eyes wide, completely unaware of anything but the superhero-like feats of strength and agility executed by the spandex-clad individuals on my television screen during an elite gymnastics competition. This sport has always had this effect on me, as it has on many other fans, partially because the things that gymnasts do are simply not possible. And yet, there they are, doing them anyway.

One particularly tiny athlete on the uneven bars did not need to pike or straddle or otherwise adjust herself quite as much as the others did when swinging around the low bar. It struck me that, if the “tall” gymnasts are 5’4”, and they have to make big adjustments, what would the fantastic gymnastic life have been like for me at 5’9 ½”, hanging from arms that are disproportionately long? I had never seen uneven bars up close, and now I was curious to know how I, quite literally, measured up to them.

Enter Penn Gymnastics Assistant Coach Kimberly Parsons, who opened the doors of the team’s brand new, shiny, spectacular new training facility to me (the Nalitt Family Gymnastics Center was made possible by a gift from Penn gymnastics alumna, and proud Penn parent, Beth (Wasserstein) Nalitt, MD). The facility was dedicated last month at Homecoming 2013, after the team was honored at halftime for winning back to back Eastern conference championships in 2012 and 2013.

Wait, what?

Yes, dear alumni. Penn Gymnastics took first place at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Championships twice in a row, which is a first for any school in the Ivy League. Two team members went on to win additional honors at the 2013 USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals.

Go Penn!

Go Penn!

I have to draw attention to this, because, as you know, the University of Pennsylvania does not offer athletic scholarships. When one of our Varsity teams shines as brightly as this, I want the world to know! I mean, check out this hardware. Penn Quakers earned these! I feel the need to high-five someone!

Oh, these? These are just a few of their championship rings.

Oh, these? These are just a few of their championship rings.

You must see some brief clips from the 2013 ECAC Championships this past spring. Seriously. Take a moment to watch these highlights of our Penn athletes dominating the competition on each apparatus.

Now I want you to see them in person so they can hear you cheer. If you are in Philadelphia, come support Penn Gymnastics TONIGHT, Friday, December 6 at 6PM at Hutchinson Gymnasium for the “Philadelphia Jamboree” against Temple University. Their next competition will be the GW Invitational in Washington, DC on Sunday 1/12 at 1PM, followed by one at home on Saturday 1/18 at noon against Illinois State. Check out the full 2013-2014 competition schedule to see when they might be near you so you can show your support wherever you can. And be sure to wear your red & blue! Let them know how proud you are. Mark your calendar for Saturday 3/22 at noon, when Penn Gymnastics will attempt to defend their title at the 2014 ECAC Division I Championships right here in Philadelphia at Temple University.

As for me, here I am grabbing the low bar, from my knees, arms still bent. To be fair, there is a woman on the team who is 5’7” tall, so perhaps there would have been hope for me afterall. And they can adjust the bar height a bit depending on the athlete. Still… let’s just say I’m glad I found the high jump.

NMwithLowBar

For updates, you can follow Penn Gymnastics on YouTube at UPennGym, Twitter @PennGym, and Facebook at Penn Gymnastics. Special thanks to the Penn Gymnastics coaching staff for their hospitality, and I send them my very best wishes for a wonderful 2014 season!

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Filed under Athletics, Nicole M.

Up Close and Personal at Away Games

Author: Stephanie Yee, C08

One of the best things about attending Penn Men’s Basketball away games is getting an up close look at the team during the game. This past Saturday, we made the quick trip up to Lafayette College in Easton, PA, to watch the Quakers play. We sat right behind the Penn bench and cheered VERY loudly with the other Penn fans. Join us at the Penn @ Villanova game this Wednesday at 8pm. Let’s bring Quaker Nation to Villanova!

 

Penn Men’s Basketball pre-game routine at Lafayette College

Penn Men’s Basketball pre-game routine at Lafayette College

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Athletics, Penn Basketball, Stephanie Y.

Penn Serves LA Sending Holiday Warmth to Our Troops

By Kiera Reilly, C’93  @KieraReilly

Do you remember receiving that handwritten or hand crafted card and feeling special?  That is exactly the sentiment Penn Serves volunteers hope to give to our troops serving overseas or those healing in hospitals this holiday season.

On November 17th, Penn Serves LA hosted a holiday card signing at the Los Angeles American Red Cross headquarters.  Every holiday season, the Red Cross hosts “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program where they organize volunteers to share their seasonal joy through greetings for veterans, military families and active duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.

Penn volunteers received a special treat of their own, experiencing the Central Command room located at LA’s Red Cross facility.  The room is specifically designed to coordinate communications in case of a crisis, disaster, or other emergency.

Penn Alumni learn about Red Cross in LA's coveted Central Command Room.

Penn Alumni learn about Red Cross in LA’s coveted Central Command Room.

This holiday card signing event set a Penn Serves attendance record drawing more than 70 participants – alumni, children and relatives.  Proudly displaying the red and blue, Penn Serves’ participants put their Quaker creativity to work and designed cards and shared messages with our nation’s veterans. Glue sticks, scissors, stickers and markers provided both young and old the opportunity to draw and create fanciful cards.  For those who were challenged by the arts and crafts, Penn Serves LA cards were available to share inspiring messages with the troops through the written word — wishing a happy and peaceful holiday season. The cards provide a welcome Penn Serves LA “touch of home” for our troops during the holiday season.

“Seeing our generous Penn alums and their families so involved in supporting our troops really put us in the holiday spirit.  Thanks to everyone for helping the American Red Cross make a difference and fulfill its mission,” shares Jeff Sakaguchi, WG’89.  Jeff has been actively involved with the Red Cross, serving as a board member and past Chairman of the Los Angeles Region.

“It is great to see the Penn Serves’ momentum grow with insightful events. We look forward to seeing new faces at future events,” said Denise Winner, W’83, co-founder of Penn Serves LA, who organized this event.

“I know how important these cards, these words, can be to these guys,” shares Mark Lipis, W’70, a military veteran and Wharton graduate.  “I definitely wanted to be here today.”

Hard at Work, volunteers create joy through art and words.

Hard at Work, volunteers create joy through art and words.

Penn Alumni, Parents and children enjoyed sharing holiday uplifting messages for our troops.

Penn Alumni, Parents and children enjoyed sharing holiday uplifting messages for our troops.

All alumni, Penn Families and their children are invited to the next event on Friday, December 13th for The Giving Spirit.  At that event, Penn Serves will be assisting The Giving Spirit, an organization serving the homeless of Los Angeles through programs like distributing survival kits, in a critical time-sensitive mission as their supplies arrive for the holidays. Click here to sign up for this very special holiday event.

If you want to hear about more past and future events, either visit our website, like us on Facebook, or ask to be put on our mailing list by emailing pennserves@gmail.com.

Read about our past events:

August and September, 2013 – Serving the Environment and LA Leadership Academy

May, 2013 – One on One Outreach

March, 2013 – Habitat for Humanity

January, 2013 – Inner City Arts

September, 2012 – The Midnight Mission

June, 2012 – Turning Point Shelter

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Kiera R., Los Angeles, Penn Clubs, Penn Serves LA, Photos, Volunteering, West Coast Regional Office

Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08One thing I have learned this year is Penn alumni LOVE art! The Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia hosted two events at The Barnes Foundation in early 2013, and both events sold out in minutes! We recently hosted an event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Léger: Modern Art and the Metropolis special exhibit. Alumni met at the PMA at 9AM on a Saturday. We were split into two smaller groups for our private tours. Our tour was given by the mother of Leah Popowich, C00 G06, from Office of the President at University of Pennsylvania. There is a Penn connection everywhere!

Penn alumni on a private tour of the Léger: Modern Art and the Metropolis special exhibit

Penn alumni on a private tour of the Léger: Modern Art and the Metropolis special exhibit

Beautiful fall day in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Beautiful fall day in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Following our tour, we met for brunch at Rembrandt’s, a restaurant within walking distance of the museum. Our brunch featured guest speaker and Penn Art History Professor André Dombrowski. We are big fans of Dr. Dombrowski at the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia. He is a phenomenal speaker and always excited to participate in Penn Alumni events. If you haven’t heard him speak, you need to ASAP! Dr. Dombrowski discussed the Léger and his contemporaries and how the Léger exhibit has been covered in the media. The Penn alumni in attendance were very knowledgeable about art and had great questions for Dr. Dombrowski.

Penn alumni enjoying a wonderful talk by Penn Art History Professor André Dombrowski

Penn alumni enjoying a wonderful talk by Penn Art History Professor André Dombrowski

The event was so successful that we plan to host another event at the PMA in Spring 2014. We are excited for the upcoming special exhibits, and we hope you will join us for the event. Check our website for more details!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Philadelphia, Stephanie Y., The Arts