Author: Sabrina Shyn, C’13
As the leaves start to change on campus, I decided to walk around and capture them in their last bloom. Here are some last remaining flowers as we move into the fall season.
And because fall is also beautiful here…
Category Archives: Campus Life
Just a Few Days Left to Register for Homecoming Weekend…
Author: Amanda D’Amico
The air is crisp, and the leaves are starting to change color. It’s time to pull those sweaters and jackets out of your closet for fall. And while you’re digging in the back of your closet, grab your favorite Penn gear to wear at Penn’s Homecoming Weekend featuring arts & Culture, October 26 to 28, 2012.
After discussing contemporary jazz or modern libraries in our Classes without Quizzes and reconnecting with old friends at Quakerfest, you can head over to Franklin Field to watch Penn take on Brown. The weekend features social events, film screenings, other sporting events, and much more.
And, best of all, you get to add the newest Homecoming Weekend scarf (included in the cost of a Red or Blue Quaker Pass) to what I hope is a growing collection!
Here are just a few other reasons you should return to Penn for the weekend:
- Arts & Sciences Quizzo
- Beyond the Screen: Social Impact through Film
- California Impressionism: Masters of Light
- Classes without Quizzes: Arts@Homecoming Launch Party
- Penn Park Homecoming 5K Run
- PennGALA Homecoming Happy Hour
- Performing Arts and Children: Beyond the ‘Mozart Effect’
- The Philadelphia Film Festival presents Flight
- Rugby Alumni Social
- Taste of Penn Spectrum: A Celebration of Diversity
To learn more about the events at this year’s Homecoming and to register, visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/homecoming2012. See you in Philadelphia, Oct. 26 – 28!
Konnichiwa, Penn
Author: Rebecca Eckart, GED’13
It’s almost the end of September. I can’t believe how quickly time has passed and how much my life has changed since I arrived at Penn as a new student. It’s been a whirlwind: in less than a month I’ve moved into a new apartment, made new friends, begun a new course of study in the Graduate School of Education, and started exploring a new city.
I’m from Ohio, but I came to Penn from Japan. I worked there as an Assistant Language Teacher through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). I was placed in a small mountain village in Gunma Prefecture, about three hours outside of Tokyo. I went to Japan intending to stay and teach for just a couple of years, but I loved my school and the local community so much, I ended up staying for five.
During my fourth year there, I decided to pursue a Masters in Higher Education when I came back to the States. I considered a lot of different schools in the Midwest and on the East Coast, but I was looking for a place that had strong international connections in addition to a strong academic program. The large international student population and the renowned education department were just two of the factors that drew me to Penn.
I applied to Penn, was accepted, and decided to attend without once being able to step on campus. When I finally did make it to Philly, I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and green the campus was. And I was also thrilled because I knew this was a place I could keep my experience in Japan a part of my life. I’ve been able to make some international friends and discuss education in their home countries. I’ve found a language exchange partner through Penn’s English Language Programs.
I’ve been to some Japanese restaurants that I’ve found while exploring the campus and University City. I’ve even found a Japanese supermarket where I can get some of my favorite foods. But perhaps most of all, I’ve found Penn to be a very welcoming community, which celebrates diversity and encourages communication and friendship across cultures.
My program at GSE is just nine months long. I know that the time will be gone before I know it, but I’m so excited to be a member of this community, especially my GSE cohort. This is a place I can share my past experiences and build my future.
Filed under Campus Life, Student Perspective
With Eyes Wide Open
Author: Lisa Vaccarelli, C’02, GED’10
Recently, I had the good fortune to take a tour of Penn’s campus with two lovely alumnae who had not been back to campus in over ten years. As someone who has come to work right in the heart of campus five days a week for the past seven years, you’d think I would be an ideal candidate to lead this tour. But as I thought more about it leading up to the alumnae’s visit, I realized that while I live and breathe Penn nearly every day, I rarely experience it as a visitor. Instead, I run from one building to the next, one meeting to the next, with my head down, rarely slowing my pace or deviating from my normally prescribed routes.
And so I picked up the phone and called a friend and colleague from Facilities and Real Estate Services. Surely, she would have some tips for my tour, perhaps even a few fact sheets I could look over in advance. Instead, she put me in touch with Mark Kocent, Principle Planner in the University Architect’s Office. Over the past ten years, Mark has had a hand in nearly every capital project – new buildings, renovations, and more – that have taken place on Penn’s campus. As luck would have it, Mark’s was free yesterday morning and graciously agreed to join us for the tour.
It was a truly beautiful day – sunny and mild. Beginning at the Sweeten Alumni House, we walked east to the soon-to-be opened Shoemaker Green outside the Palestra. We stopped into the Weiss Pavilion to admire the Education Commons and Fox Fitness Center – both with beautiful views of Shoemaker Green and the city skyline. From there, we walked over to Penn Park, admiring the tennis courts and softball field. All along the way, Mark shared tidbits about the planning and construction of each site, as well as future development plans. As we made our way back into the heart of campus, we visited the beautifully renovated – and LEED certified – Music Building, which juxtaposes the old and new in an incredibly seamless way. Finally, we stopped into Fisher-Bennett Hall, where our alumnae took many classes as students.
Thanks to Mark, our alumnae – and I – walked away inspired by Penn’s beauty and growth. Moreover, I am now determined to make the time to explore new corners of campus going forward; to pick up my head and deviate from my normal route every once in a while; and to truly appreciate this magnificent space in which I work and live.
Philadelphiart
Author: Nicole C. Maloy, W’95
One day, during my freshman year, I was sketching one of the beautiful trees in front of my new home, Du Bois College House. Another student saw me, stopped, looked at my sketchbook and said, “You’re an artist? I thought you were in Wharton.” This is a true story.
Me at 17 with my trusty scrunchie, and many of the jean jackets I painted for friends throughout high school. My AP Art teacher would let me work on these in the studio during study halls. Thanks, Mr. Scott!
Rather than take this moment to address our long and unfortunate history of school-based stereotyping, I will focus on my current endeavors to make art as big a part of my life as it once was. I am taking better advantage of my resources here in Philadelphia, starting with a course at Fleisher Art Memorial, which is dedicated to making art education available to anyone who wants it. My membership there comes with free admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which I always love to visit; each time I go, I realize that I need to go more often. Seriously, any museum that houses both French Impressionism and medieval weaponry is alright with me. I have finally visited the Barnes Foundation, and the collection there is just jaw-dropping. I was overwhelmed anew as I entered each room. And how can anyone mention Philadelphia and art without highlighting the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program? No tickets required. Just turn a corner and enjoy what you see.
If you are interested in the visual arts – making it, gazing at it, or both – are you taking advantage of what your city has to offer you? If not, it is never too late to start! Here are a few treats for those living in, or visiting, Philadelphia.
- The mission of the Fleisher Art Memorial is to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background, or artistic experience. Extra incentive: tuition-free classes for kids and adults.
- As one of the largest museums in the United States, the Philadelphia Museum of Art invites visitors from around the world to explore its renowned collections, acclaimed special exhibitions, and enriching programs, both in person and online. Extra incentive: first Sunday of each month: Pay what you wish all day (10 AM-5 PM). Museum visiting info here.
- Celebrated for its exceptional breadth, depth, and quality, the Barnes Foundation’s art collection includes works by some of the greatest European and American masters of impressionism, post-impressionist, and early modern art, as well as African sculpture, Pennsylvania German decorative arts, Native American textiles, metalwork, and more. Extra incentive: free first Sundays 1-6 PM – registration required. Additional details here.
- The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Since it began, the Mural Arts Program has produced over 3,000 murals which have become a cherished part of the civic landscape and a great source of inspiration to the millions of residents and visitors who encounter them each year. It’s already free to observe, so extra incentive in this case involves learning more about it. Take a tour.
I would be remiss not to include Lisa Marie’s Frankly Penn post on Penn’s own Institute of Contemporary Art, so check it out!
Filed under Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Nicole M., The Arts, The Arts at Penn
Do You Hear What I Hear . . . and See!
Beautiful music on Penn’s campus comes from the Alumni Carillon . . .
The Westminster bells chime on the hour, and popular songs are heard throughout College Green at exactly noon and 6 PM each day. Since the late 1980s, I have had the pleasure of listening from my second floor office to beautiful bells playing throughout the center of campus. There were a few years, however, in the late 1990s that the Carillon did not play, but in 2004 a new Carillon was installed and continues to fill the center of campus with music.
This blog post is not only about the music of the Alumni Carillon, but to let you know that a plaque was just recently placed next to the front door of the E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House at 3533 Locust Walk. This acknowledgement displays not only our Penn pride, but our thanks for such a beautiful gift to Penn . . . now for all to see, as well as hear!
- Plaque installed next to the front door entrance of the E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House
The Class of 2016 Comes to Penn
Author: Amanda D’Amico
With more than 2,400 members, getting the Class of 2016 together is no easy task. There are only three events in their collegiate careers that will include all their classmates—convocation, Hey Day, and commencement. On Sept. 4, 2012, the Class of 2016 was determined to make the best of the first of these three events, despite flash flood warnings and heavy rains.
Students from the College, Wharton, Engineering and Nursing crowded into the historic Palestra. Four of the most prominent members of the Penn community—Eric J. Furda, C’87, dean of admissions; Penn President Amy Gutmann, HOM’04; Provost Vincent Price, HOM’98; and Lee Spelman Doty, W’76, president of Penn Alumni—greeted the newest members of the Penn community.
These new Quakers are among the most distinguished classes in Penn’s history. With outstanding SAT and ACT scores, excellent high school grades and many extracurricular and philanthropic activities, the class is a welcomed addition to the Penn community—and will surely challenge each other and members of other Penn classes.
Doty noted that the academic and social communities the members of the Class of 2016 build will likely last the rest of their lives. And when she told each student to look at the people sitting next to him, because he may find that these individuals will be in the rest of their lives, the previously quiet stadium grew noisy as excited students introduced themselves to one another.
Convocation is only the beginning for these students, and a lot will change before they all meet again for Hey Day in 2015. Tests will be taken, papers will be written, and Spring Flings will be flung. In the next four years, these students will face challenges and grow tremendously. And judging by their excitement during a hot, sweaty night in the Palestra, they’re ready for it.
You can view images from the day’s event here.
Filed under Amanda D., Campus Life, Student Perspective, Traditions
My First Five Months
Author: Emilie Kretschmar
Typically, my blog posts are about the latest Penn Alumni Travel trip or our fantastic newly-released 2013 travel schedule. But this month, we’re between travel trips, and so I’ve decided instead to write about my first five months at the Sweeten Alumni House (not to worry travel fans. Look for an upcoming post about Italy and the Danube)!
I began this position in Penn Alumni Relations in April, and each month has brought about new and interesting alumni events and traditions. We are lucky to work in a building that’s centrally located–just across from College Hall and next to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library. Here, alumni relations staff can really stay connected to the University and all of the great things that happen on campus. With my trusty camera phone, I’ve captured a few highlights from my first five months at Penn.
APRIL
My first month at Penn and the hungry squirrels are already waiting to take my lunch. I captured this one as he was eyeing me from above on the patio behind Sweeten.
Hungry Squirrel
MAY
Alumni Weekend! I was quickly pulled into the festivities surrounding Alumni Weekend and Commencement. The campus was alive with graduating students and thousands of Penn alumni. If you’ve never attended a reunion weekend at Penn, you should consider coming next year (May 10-13, 2013). It’s a great time to see the campus, visit old friends, and learn about the many programs and opportunities that the university extends to alumni.
An alumnus plays the Sweeten Alumni House piano.
Time for food! A chef works hard to get hundreds of hamburgers ready for the class picnics.
JUNE
With most students and alumni away this summer, several staff members had time to attend the Ivy+ Alumni Relations Conference at Dartmouth. Each year, the eight Ivy League Universities plus MIT and Stanford gather for this conference to share expertise, tips, and resources (for more on Ivy+, visit Casey Ryan’s blog post here). The conference rotates locations each year, and Penn will be next year’s host. I spent my time at the conference meeting other alumni travel directors and getting insider’s tips on how to run an exceptional alumni travel program.
Dartmouth’s beautiful Rauner Special Collections Library. Do you see the Cat in the Hat peaking from inside the closed stacks?
JULY
In July, I hosted my first alumni tour. I spent 10 days with 16 wonderful alumni and friends in Tanzania. We visited four national parks and saw countless African animals. Look for another African safari in 2013 to Tanzania and Kenya.
Serengeti Giraffe
Ngorongoro Crater lion
AUGUST
In my fifth month at Penn, I began a new workout routine: a 3 mile run from Sweeten to my South Philadelphia home. Along the way, I ran across (literally and figuratively) some of the beautiful Philadelphia landmarks that surround Penn’s campus.
The South Street Bridge at dusk. Did you know that the bridge lights up at night?
So there you have it! My first five months as a Penn employee. I look forward to the new things these next five months will bring. When you finish reading this, take a minute and share with us those things that caught your attention when you first visited Penn—as a student, employee, faculty member, or native Philadelphian. There’s plenty of space in the comment section below!
Filed under Campus Life, Emilie, Penn Alumni Travel, Penn in the Summer, Travel, Uncategorized
My Top Penn List: Student Perspectives of Penn
Author: Casey Ryan, C’95
Today is the Penn Traditions Move-In Lunch behind Sweeten. Parents, proud of their kids, are spending the last possible moments together before they return for home. They are bidding their freshman children adieu until Fall Break, Parents Weekend, Thanksgiving, or, for some, the end of the semester. In the meantime, the students will return to their dorm room to negotiate who will take which bed, to discuss their studying habits and to learn more about this stranger cum friend whom they’ve been paired.
With the start of the academic year upon us, this inspired me to share with you my favorite student perspective blog entries from the last year, written by our Sweeten House student workers.
10. CBI? – Jonathan Cousins, Eng’14
I was amused that to this day students mock Penn’s affinity for acronyms, however in the daily life of students, one can be stumped by the appearance of a new one. CBI is the College Basketball Invitational, a postseason tournament in which Penn competed last year.
9. My Life as a (Pretend) Wharton Student – Kayleigh Smoot, C’13
One of our work study students, majoring in psychology, made a commitment to take Wharton classes during her time on campus.
8. Top 4 Things I’m Looking Forward to Next Semester – Jonathan Cousins, Eng’14
I enjoyed this anticipatory look at the then upcoming Spring 2012 semester, full of sports, social activities and Fling!
7. State of the (Union?) School – Dan Bernick, C‘14
The first of three of Dan’s blog entries on the list, this blog focuses on student government at Penn and the State of the School in which the six branches of Penn Student Government to discuss their accomplishments and plans for the year ahead.
6. Midwestern charm meets the Ben Franklin Bridge: A Chicago Girl in Philly – Mari Meyer, GEd’12
I was charmed (pun intended) by our graduate intern’s take on her time in Philadelphia and how she drew comfortable parallels with her beloved Chicago.
5. Penn vs. Yale – The Trials of a Quaker Fan – Dan Bernick, C’14
Outside of coursework and learning, the drama of our Penn sports team provide some of the need escape from the stresses on campus. Though we all know how this game ended, it’s still the hope of a fan that his or her team will succeed and that’s what keeps him or her coming back.
4. Fall at Penn – Sabrina Shyn, C’13
Sabrina’s photo blog entries are always poignant moments of Penn still life, and just in time for fall, I wanted to share this photo entries on my list.
3. September at Penn – Dan Bernick, SAS ’14
To balance out Jonathan’s wishful blog for the future, I wanted to share Dan’s happy reminiscent blog about a charming first month at Penn.
2. Eine schöne Sprache – John Mosley, C’14
As a linguistics major, I am always proud of students who absolutely love learning a language here at Penn, especially where there are so many different ones available to study!
1. To Sleep or Not to Sleep? – Christine Uyemera, C ’13
“To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub.” In this Hamlet allusion titled entry, Christine tackled the question student asked themselves universally in a humorous take on how the sleep deprived cope.
Filed under Academics, Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Casey R., Top Ten, Traditions
Philly Fringe
Author: Alex Fleischman
Throughout its history, the Penn Museum’s Warden Garden has had a surprising variety of residents—from the pond’s fish to the Sphinx, which now lives indoors, before Philly’s weather was deemed a threat, and once, even, a submarine used for underwater archaeology. Next month, “monsters” can be added to the list, when the Museum will host two Philly Fringe programs.
First, and unrelated to any monsters, the Underground Shakespeare Company, a Penn student theater troupe, will perform “Antony & Cleopatra: Infinite Lives,” Thursday through Saturday, September 13-15. Shakespeare’s play is adapted to the modern, turbulent events of contemporary Egypt, with the Museum’s Sphinx as the dramatic backdrop to their performance. I can’t wait to witness the always dramatic and impressive gallery transformed by the talents of Shakespeare and the performers.
On Sunday, September 16, the artist Douglas Repetto will lead a Monsters: A Workshop and Happening. The audience will help him make “foals”—small walking tables made with simple mechanical parts and scrap wood. The “herd” of them will be let loose in the Chinese Rotunda at 4 p.m.; afterward, they will led outdoors and into the Warden Garden. After the event, the foals are “up for adoption” for audience members—this sounds like a pet even a college student could handle, so I’m not going to miss out.
The 16th-annual Philadelp
hia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe takes place from September 7–22, 2012, with theater, music, and arts events all over Philadelphia. In addition to the two events at the Museum, two more will take place on Penn’s campus. On September 20 and 21, the Annenberg Center will host “red, black & GREEN: a blues,” an interactive program created by Marc Bamuthi Joseph of The Living Word Project. On September 22, the Platt Student Performing Arts House will host The Alternative Theatre Festival by iNtuitions Experimental Theatre.
More information about the events at the Museum can be found here and more information about Live Arts and Philly Fringe can be found here.
Filed under Alex F., Campus Life, Penn Museum, Philadelphia, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn
Frankly Penn 