Category Archives: Daniel B.

September 28, 2011 · 6:30 pm

September at Penn

Author: Dan Bernick, SAS ’14

September at Penn feels like college.

September is when everyone you met last year returns.  You see familiar faces, some whose names escape you and force you to pretend to introduce that person to someone else so she has to say her name.

September is when Locust Walk looks beautiful.  Although only half of Locust Walk is not under construction, strolling down to Penn Park connects you with a campus rich in history and traditions.

September is when football games are.  Heading to Franklin Field with brothers to watch the Quakers destroy or be destroyed is mesmerizing.  This year, as a returning student, I feel ownership – the football my team is my team, and we win or lose as a school.

Double Rainbow Over Penn Park, Photo by Scott Spitzer, University Communications

September is when you are enthusiastic, fresh, and excited.  When you try new things, join new clubs, and take new risks.  Fall is when my schedule is packed with shows and sports games, meals to catch-up with friends, and fun.

Soon, it will be October, and fun will become Halloween and hot apple cider.  But September at Penn feels like college.  The way college is supposed to feel.

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August 24, 2011 · 5:11 pm

Free Movies at Penn

Author: Dan Bernick, SAS’14

With my internship over I returned home to Minnesota for a month of rest and relaxation – err, I mean to find a cure for cancer and start two businesses like us Quakers are apt to do!

When I am home, I love watching movies with my mom.  This is not as lame as it sounds; we see “cool” movies like Planet of the Apes, The Debt, and anything with spies.  Whenever I see previews for movies that do not come out until school starts, I worry I will never see them.  But then I remember that SPEC has me covered.

The Social Planning and Events Commission (SPEC), one of my favorite branches of Penn Student Government, has a Film Society.  This is code for free movies students see before movie is in theaters.  It is the perfect excuse to skip studying and hang out with friends for a night, or take someone on an (inexpensive) date.  It is always fun to watch movies with friends because you generate a ton of jokes to be repeated ad infinitum for weeks. I can’t wait to get back to campus in just a few short weeks and start planning my social calendar.

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July 28, 2011 · 9:30 am

Summer in DC

Author: Dan Bernick, SAS’14

Is it really almost August?  It seems like only a few weeks ago I arrived in DC and began interning at the White House Council for Community Solutions.  I’ve discovered that the old adage is really true. Time does fly when you’re having fun…And this seems especially so these past few months.

This summer has been perfect.  I met new people, made amazing connections, ate breakfast with my Senator, and even went bowling at the White House (I scored a 93 – harder than it looks!).  Better than all of that, I had a fantastic internship.

Having a great boss makes all the difference, especially when she is intently focused on mentoring and exemplifies strong leadership.  The team I work on was small and everyone (including the interns) has been given opportunities to contribute substantively.  My team has been a fun group, and we managed to both work hard and find time to laugh.

I’m determined to make the most of the few weeks left before I return to Philadelphia and start my sophomore year at Penn. I am doing everything I can to make the most of this experience.  Including making sure I take plenty of photos…

Did I Mention that I Met Al Franken This Summer?

Despite his lifelong career as a comedian, I discovered that Al Franken takes his job very seriously. Still, when it came time for photos, he cracked a few jokes about symmetry (you will notice we are perfectly in the middle).

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June 22, 2011 · 1:29 pm

My New (Second) Favorite City

Dan Bernick, SAS ‘14

It’s official – I love D.C.

There is an energy here that is infectious.  This is where it all happens.  Even if you have a lowly internship, you feel like you are in the middle of the action.

The city itself is fantastic.  When it is not scorching hot or raining, the weather is really nice – perfect for touring the national mall.  My favorite view is to look out from the top of the Lincoln Monument and see the National Mall at night.

Activities fill up the day and the night.  There is always something to do in the nation’s capital (especially if you are a nerd).  Nearly every day there is at least one free conference (which means free food!) where prominent national thinkers discuss our country’s biggest challenges.  At night, you can go to a National’s game, dine with friends, or participate in any of the Penn in Washington events; just last week we were able to meet with Ben Bernanke and hear about the Federal Reserve.

I have to go to work now (wow that feels good to say), but I’ll keep you updated on this amazing summer.  Spending the next three years in Philadelphia sounds great.  After that, who knows?  Maybe I’ll come to D.C.

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April 27, 2011 · 9:05 am

Winning

Author: Dan Bernick, SAS ’14

I lost.  I ran for Vice President of the Undergraduate Assembly and lost. My team developed a platform, mobilized an army of supporters, and sent thousands of emails.  I spoke with hundreds of students and learned a ton about Penn.  But still, I lost.

I had poured my heart into the campaign.  The following week was tough, and I began to question my involvement with student government.

Fortunately, I cheered up enough to go out and support my favorite team (Penn!).  While I shouted myself hoarse for our women’s lacrosse team, someone sat down next to me.  It was Penn President Amy Gutmann, cheering twice as loud as any of us.  I soaked it all in: looking out I saw my team, fighting tooth and nail for the ball; looking left I saw my friends, covered head to toe in Red and Blue; looking right I saw my President, putting us to shame with her enthusiasm; and looking up I saw the clear sky, perfect weather for an amazing night.

That’s when it hit me: Only at Penn can you lose and still be a winner.  Not two weeks after the election, I was watching a lacrosse game with our extraordinary President, rooting for the Quakers and chatting about plans for next year.  Penn is where I want to be, what I want to do, and why I want to do it.

At the Lacrosse Game with President Amy Gutmann

I cannot wait for the fall!

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