Author: Janell Wiseley
Category Archives: Campus Life
Congratulations to the Class of 2014
Author: Janell Wiseley
I’ll Be Seeing You
Author: Carolyn Grace, C’16
Hit play and start reading!
It’s been a week of “lasts” here at dear old Penn – yesterday was my last chapter meeting with Sigma Kappa, today was my last day of classes, and Friday will be my last rehearsal with Counterparts. Normally, I’d be excited for the closing of yet another school year. Summer’s just around the corner, and I’ll get to spend it with so many of my friends who are choosing to stay in Philly! But for one reason or another, I don’t feel that excited. At least not right now.
Maybe it’s the rain (sorry, I mean MONSOON) outside. Maybe it’s the looming papers and final exams that I have in the next couple weeks. Or maybe it’s the realization that I’ll be boarding a plane next semester instead of driving 45 minutes to move back on campus. Whatever it is, I’m sad to be nearing the end of my sophomore year. It was hard getting back into the swing of things when I returned to campus this past August, and it by no means got any easier. But in spite of all that, I can say with confidence that it was better than my freshman year. I was presented with new and exciting opportunities, and more importantly I met new and exciting people, people who I am honored to call close friends.
I found this picture in my room earlier this afternoon:
It’s the first picture of me from this academic year, the first day of NSO to be exact. I definitely had no idea what the year was going to be like, but that didn’t stop me from goofing off with my friends! That seems to be the best way for me to combat the anxiety of not knowing, acting silly. Hopefully, I can keep a similar lightheartedness as I enter my semester abroad next year.
I wonder what my last picture from sophomore year will look like. I guess I don’t really need to know right now. There’s fun in not knowing.
Until next year, dear Quakers. I’ll be seeing you. Thanks for reading 🙂
Do You Want to See My Show, Man?
Author: Carolyn Grace, C’16
Tapping into my inner Pitbull while rapping “Timber” with the Mask and Wig band!
Well, Fling has finally been flung, dear Quakers, and oh what a wonderful weekend it was! As planned, I danced to David Guetta, sang/rapped on stage with both Counterparts and Mask and Wig, and ate my weight in fried oreos. All in all, a successful few days 🙂
But my performances are not over! Oh no, my biggest show of the semester is coming up this weekend: the Counterparts Spring show! If you’ve clicked on the link, then you’ve just discovered that our show title “Do You Wanna Build a Show, Man?” is, in fact, “Frozen”-themed. Because “Frozen” will always be relevant. Always.
I have to say, the publicity we’ve done for this show is pretty awesome. We have a great series of posters (see below), and we just released a promotional YouTube video as well. However, if you haven’t seen “Frozen”… well I don’t know what to tell you. None of these references will make sense. So I suggest you watch the movie before coming to the show.
Our poster for “Do You Wanna Build a Show, Man?”
My Facebook profile picture to promote the show! I know, it’s pretty adorable.
We’re back in Iron Gate Theatre, where I sang in my first-ever CP concert. It’s a beautiful space, and I can’t wait to see it packed with my friends, family, and Counterparts alumni! Our set list is also stellar. I’ll be singing “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” with one of our new members, Andrew. In addition, we have songs by the Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Sara Bareilles, Ariana Grande, Hall and Oates, and Delta Rae…just to name several.
Like the many other student artists on campus, I am always in a bit of shock when I enter the week leading up to my show. It’s crazy to think about how much work I’ve put into the semester for Counterparts, and it’s going to be culminating into only two performances this weekend! It’s times like these that I try to truly appreciate the level of talent and dedication to the arts that exists here at Penn. Though I cannot go to every show that happens on campus, I will always applaud the effort that goes into any and every performance.
Filed under Campus Life, Carolyn G., Clubs, Photos, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn, Video, Videos
Spring In My Step
By Nicole C. Maloy, W’95
On my way to work, I sometimes walk through the beautiful courtyard between Vance Hall and the McNeil Building. I am grateful that, in recent days, this path has revealed the promise of spring. My favorite part of the transition from the season of gray and white to that of blue and green is the dazzling display of flowers blossoming on the trees. I never tire of these lovely and fragrant halos; the impression is always so stunning that it offers an immediate boost to my spirit. After the winter that we have endured here in Philadelphia, I believe that all of us have earned the pleasure of witnessing the trees as they adorn themselves to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The beginning stages are captured below.
Here they come…
And they’re off!
Filed under Campus Life, Nicole M.
Flung, Wild, and Free
Author: Carolyn Grace, C’16
Spring has finally sprung on campus, dear Quakers, and just in time for Penn’s greatest weekend ever: it’s time for FLIIIIING!
Fling 2013: goofing around in the photo booth 🙂
In case you’ve been living under a rock, or you just happen to be reading this blog post and you don’t go to Penn, Spring Fling is the biggest (and best!) college festival on the East Cost, in existence for now over 40 years. The festival actually has a pretty rich history and is certainly one of Penn’s biggest traditions. Without a doubt, it’s the favorite tradition among students!
The theme for this year’s Fling is the oh-so groovy ❀☮ PEACE LOVE AND FLING ❀☮ I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t super excited. SPEC has a great line-up for the big concert on Friday: Magic Man, Ra Ra Riot, and headliner David Guetta! I wasn’t familiar with the first two artists when SPEC first announced them, but after to listening to them on Spotify I am so stoked to see them perform live. Here are a couple favorites of mine from Magic Man and Ra Ra Riot, both of which I hope are played at the concert!
“Paris” by Magic Man
“Beta Love” by Ra Ra Riot
Lilly and I before CP takes the stage!
As great as the big concert is going to be, I have to admit that I’m looking forward to the Quad concerts the most! It’s the chance to see my friends in other performing arts groups rock the stage in front of the entire student body. I’m especially excited to watch Bloomers Band, Penn Glee Club Band, and Penny Loafers a cappella (good luck guys!). Counterparts will also be singing in prep for our Spring show…but that’s for another blog post 😉
The final performance, however, is going to bring the walls of the Quad down. Some lovely ladies of Counterparts (Sam, Swaroop, Lilly) and I will each be singing with the Mask and Wig band! Their performance is the final one of the entire Fling weekend, and it always draws a huge crowd. I can’t wait to be up on stage with them, mostly because my performance is going to be something I’ve never done before. I’ll be singing the song Timber by Ke$ha and Pitbull. Well, actually, I’ll be rapping it. Yes, you read that correctly. I’m going to be rapping Pitbull’s part of Timber. And I literally cannot wait.
A crowd shot from the Mask and Wig stage. I’ll be up there in almost a week!
So grab your fanny packs, don your neon tanks, and make room for the fried oreoes, dear Quakers. The countdown to Spring Fling begins NOW!
Filed under Campus Life, Carolyn G., Clubs, Events, Photos, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn, Video, Videos
Penn Traditions: The Good, The Bad, and THE RED & THE BLUE!
Author: Nicole Svonavec GEd ‘09
Every college student takes part in traditions on their campus as part of a unifying undergraduate experience. I’ve attended and worked at several colleges so far, and Penn’s traditions stand out for their uniqueness, mass appeal, and staying power. Experiences like Hey Day, Spring Fling, and taking a photo with your boo at the LOVE statue, have stood the test of time. Creative Class Boards, Penn Traditions students, and other student leaders are forming new traditions (shout out to Holifest!) every year.
On the other hand, some traditions have faded into history. And let’s be real, I’m feeling okay about that. While I love reminiscing with our Old Guard alumni about retired traditions from their Penn days, I see a few good reasons to keep these in the archives:
“The Bowl Fight”
Although these strapping young lads look quite happy in the photo (from 1905), The Bowl Fight stands as one of Penn’s most historic, but also most sketchy traditions. I’m not sure which one of these students was elected to be shoved INSIDE that bowl by his peers, but I would cry seeing our fabulous freshmen and sophomore duking-it-out on College Green in present-day. Final verdict: This tradition is one of Penn’s best (craziest) stories, but a happily retired one.
Photo courtesy of Collections of the University Archives and Records Center
“The Poster Fight”
(Note how many of these old traditions include the word “fight.” Thankfully the advent of Pottruck Gymnasium seems to have given students a more productive outlet for their pent-up energy). 1905 was a busy year for traditions, and The Poster Fight stands as another fine example of class rivalries at their best/most intense. The poster below (located in Sweeten Alumni House – come visit!) shows how “no blow was too low” when asserting your eminence over other classes. Hopefully they all hugged it out at the end of the day.
“Kissing the Boot”
Everyone loves a good freshman rite-of-passage, but the 1940s-50s tradition of kissing Ben Franklin’s boot outside of Weightman Hall strikes me as a bit unsanitary. Good thing freshman carried this out in early fall, because kissing a metal boot in the winter seems like it could cause the same nightmare as getting your tongue stuck to the flagpole in elementary school (Note: this did NOT happen to me, whew).
Photo and facts courtesy of Collections of the University Archives and Records Center
The Penn Traditions program is currently working on a new event (to launch in fall 2014) aiming to teach current students about some of these hilarious/spirited/dangerous traditions of the past. If you took part in a really fun tradition on campus during your time at Penn, email svonavec@upenn.edu so we can include it in our event!
*Thanks to the Penn Archives and Under the Button for inspiring this post!
Filed under Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Historical, Memories of Penn, Nicole S., Traditions, Uncategorized, yPenn
Where in the World
Author: Carolyn Grace, C’16
Spring Break is slowly winding down for us Penn students, though I can’t say I’m entirely heartbroken. While many of my friends spent the past week vacating in warmer climates, I stayed right here in good old Philadelphia, which wasn’t so bad until the Ides of March kicked in. (Kudos to anyone who got the reference in that last link!)
I’m not that discouraged, though. My time to travel will be here before I know it! It was only a few weeks ago that I recieved my acceptance into the Columbia in Paris program through Penn Abroad 🙂 This September, I’ll be going back to France to study abroad for the entire Fall 2014 semester.
My acceptance e-mail. I’m going to Paris!
I’m extremely excited about the immersion experience this program offers. I’ll be taking classes at both Reid Hall (the institution designed specifically for study abroad students) and a Parisian university. There are so many in the city, and I get to choose where I want to enroll! I also have the opportunity to live with a host family, which I did this past summer in Tours, France with the Penn-in-Tours summer abroad program.
What I am most excited for, however, is the opportunity to live in Paris (skip to 1:45) for the semester. I visited the city for three days during the Penn-in-Tours program. I can only imagine what it’s going to be like living there for three months!
Staying with the Pixar theme!
I have my first abroad meeting when school is back in session. It seems like such a long way off, and I certainly don’t want to rush the rest of this semester. I can’t deny, though, that the sooner I’m back on a wine and cheese diet, the happier I’ll be 🙂 Vive la France !
Filed under Academics, Campus Life, Carolyn G., Photos, Student Perspective, Travel, Uncategorized, Video, Videos
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
Author: Liz Pinnie
Yesterday a friend from Admissions stopped by the Interview Program Office for a cup of coffee during his break from sitting in committee (yes, it’s that time of year!). As he melted into a chair and took a slug of his coffee, we started to chat about his impressions on reading hundreds upon hundreds of interviews.
What has recently struck J. about interview reports is the ability of interviewers- of all Penn class years and schools- to touch upon those certain qualities that makes Penn Penn, and a Quaker a Quaker. Interviews took place via skype, phone, and in person conversation all over the world this year- from Dubai to Detroit, from Slovakia to Santa Monica- from alumni ranging in age from 22 to 85.
In 64 years, there have been a few changes at Penn- a transition from typewriters to computers to tablets, the conversion from Penn-specific building to community oriented growth in West Philadelphia, the evolution from weekly letters home to dorm hall phone calls to texts, the creation of Locust Walk as a pedestrian thoroughfare, the full integration of women to the University, and growth through eight different Presidents (among a few other changes- The Arch, anyone!?).
However, what we’re seeing from interview reports is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Throughout Penn’s past, a passion for activity both inside and outside of the classroom has remained, along with a desire for growth in knowledge, a hunger for integration, and excitement for innovation.
Over 12,000 of your fellow alumni are discovering students with these indelible Penn qualities from all over the world through interviews- if you’d like to help, join the Interview Program by clicking here, and share with us what you think makes a Quaker a Quaker.
Collection finding aid http://www.archives.upenn.edu/faids/upx/upx12.html
Permanent link http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/archives/20050114013
http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/archives/20050114013
Filed under Campus Life, Historical, Interview Program, Liz P., Memories of Penn, Uncategorized, Volunteering
Open House
Author: Michelle Ho, ENG’14
Recently I was given the opportunity to be the student speaker at the Collaborative Classroom Open House. The Collaborative Classroom is a new classroom on the first floor of Van Pelt Library, off the hallway leading to Weigle Information Commons. From the way the classroom furniture is arranged to the cutting-edge technology in the room, the design of the Collaborative Classroom aims to facilitate active learning. In the classroom, active learning can take the form of problem solving in teams, peer reviewing written work, or delving into a case study, among other activities. To help facilitate these activities, students sit at round tables and face each other, instead of in rows where they face the professor. Each table has its own dedicated projector system where students can plug their own laptop or tablet and display what they are working on. The walls on the classroom also double as whiteboards and projection screens so you can annotate directly over what you are projecting. This semester there are nine courses such as social policy and practice, geology, and writing seminar being held in the Collaborative Classroom. Imagine how much more interactive writing seminar could be if you edited a piece by projecting it on the wall and having classmates take turn making edits by writing over it for the table to see.
So how did I get to become involved with this? Well, the Collaborative Classroom is actually a joint project between the Penn Libraries and the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education (the branch of Penn Student Government that I am a member of). The idea for the Collaborative Classroom came from two previous SCUE Chairs, Scott Dzialo and Joyce Greenbaum. Together, they envisioned that having a space like the Collaborative Classroom on campus would allow for SCUE initiatives such as problem solving learning (PSL) and the flipped classroom to be possible. Unlike previous SCUE projects like building Penn Course Review, instituting Fall Break, and implementing pass/fail grading, there were physical roadblocks – in terms of finding and configuring space – in addition to administrative and policy roadblocks.
After meeting with people across campus, the construction for the classroom was made possible by two Penn alumni, Larry Bass (W’67) and Chuck MacDonald (W’81). As one of the founding members of SCUE, the Bass family embraced the idea of the Collaborative Classroom and saw it as a way to commit to SCUE and the Penn Libraries. The MacDonald family matched this gift and also made possible an Innovation Fund to support the classroom. The Open House was a way to thank the donors and also show off the classroom to faculty and students. As Mr. Bass and his family were able to attend the Open House, it was a fantastic opportunity for SCUE members to meet one of the founding members of our organization and get a front-row perspective about the history of our organization. The generosity and input of the Bass family has shown that participation in any extracurricular opportunity at Penn doesn’t have to end with graduation. At SCUE in particular, we have been inspired to start an Alumni Newsletter and plan alumni get-togethers. Moving forward, we are excited to collaborate with the Library and also faculty members to develop more courses for the Collaborative Classroom. Of course, we are also looking forward to working more with our alumni!
A Marshmallow Squared Donut? Yes, Please.
Author: Emilie C. K. LaRosa
There are many great restaurants in University City: White Dog, Distrito, POD, etc. The list is always growing, but if you’re looking for a quick and delicious breakfast or a mid-afternoon sweet stop, then the choices are quite slim. Sure, there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts on Walnut and 34th, and Insomnia Cookies is just across College Green, but when I’m looking for a gourmet sweet experience–a truly melt-in-your-mouth fried ring of batter–I now have a place to turn. Federal Donuts on Sansom Street between 34th and 36th streets.
Federal Donuts on Sansom Street- It’s open!
The shop opened today and, as conscientious alumni relations personnel, we felt it was our duty to try it out immediately. Now, we can personally recommend this new donut and fried chicken shop to visiting alumni.
Alumni relations staff pose with the new store front.
Inside, the shop was busy but the wait was not long. The menu included “fancy donuts,” “hot fresh donuts,” and “fried chicken.” If you’ve never tried a hot fresh donut from Federal Donuts, I suggest you do. They fry them to order which means they come out hot, soft, and irresistible.
Federal Donuts menu.
Nicole and Molly enjoy a warm donut.
In the end, I decided on a Marshmallow Squared donut.
Yum!
It was lightly fried, covered in a marshmallow glaze, and topped with actual toasted marshmallows. It also didn’t last long. Luckily, I know where to find more!
If you find yourself at Federal Donuts this year, let us know what donut is YOUR favorite. I’ll be keeping an eye on the comment section below. Happy University City eating!
Filed under Campus Life, Emilie
Frankly Penn 