Category Archives: Kristina C.

June 7, 2012 · 1:37 pm

Penn’s Senior Auditing Program

Author: Kristina Clark

Penn’s Senior Auditing Program started in the 1970’s as a noncredit offering open only to retired Philadelphia schoolteachers.

One of Penn’s most devoted alumna and life-long learners, Mae Pasquariello, CW’53, GRD’85

The program soon expanded to include anyone older than 65.  Classes currently cost $500 a course – all of which goes toward funding scholarships for undergraduates in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies – and over 160 seniors are currently enrolled.

The program invites life-long learners aged 65 and older to audit undergraduate lecture classes in Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences at a reduced tuition rate. Senior auditors may enroll in a maximum of two classes per semester.

Enrich your life.  Learn new skills. Be engaged, energized and intellectually stimulated. Make new friends. Attend classes with brilliant young minds. Have fun. These are a few reasons that we’ve heard as to why the Senior Auditing Program is so worthwhile.

One of Alumni Relations’ most devoted volunteers is alumna, Mae Pasquariello, CW’53, GRD’85, age 81, who registers each semester for a class.  As Mae puts it “I’m committed to being a lifelong learner. I’ll be doing this as long as I can walk into a classroom.”

Over the last 30 years, Mae has studied women and religion, Italian cuisine and culture, 20th-century American poetry, and she even took a course about gun control that had her practicing on a shooting range.

For information on Penn’s Senior Auditing Program, please email: senioraudit@sas.upenn.edu.

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Filed under Academics, Alumni Perspective, Alumni Profile, Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Kristina C., Uncategorized

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March 5, 2012 · 8:33 am

Family Night at the Palestra

Author: Kristina Clark

On Friday evening, February 24, I had the pleasure of hosting over 200 Penn alumni families for an event at the Palestra.  This was a first-time event for Penn Alumni, and our Family Night at the Palestra was a huge success!  The evening began just after 5 PM with children of all ages having an opportunity to shoot hoops with Penn’s women basketball team. The kids had a blast and so did the players. Following the shoot-around, and prior to the basketball team taking the court for warm-ups, families were warmly greeted by women’s head basketball coach, Mike McLaughlin.  A pre-game dinner followed, and consisted of hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, beverages and Cracker Jacks. Penn Alumni families were treated to an amazing night and the game was the icing on the cake.  Penn women took a 63-49 win over Dartmouth!

The cost to participate in the Palestra Family Night event was $5 person.  The event was sponsored by Penn Alumni and the Association of Alumnae.  We look forward to offering this event again and hope you can join us next time!

In the meantime, mark your calendars now for upcoming Penn Alumni Family Events:


Family Day at Mask & Wig – 3/17/12
40 Winks with the Sphinx – 3/30-31/12

Contact Penn Alumni Relations at 215-898-7811 for more information.

View a slideshow of the event here.

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March 26, 2011 · 6:41 pm

Alumni Programming…Family Style!

Author: Kristina Clark

I had the wonderful opportunity to staff an event at the Mask & Wig Clubhouse in Center City last week, Family Day at Mask & Wig.

There were over 122 alumni parents and children at the Clubhouse.  They enjoyed a hot dog lunch and watched a performance by Mask & Wig geared to the little ones under 12 years old.  After the performance, the kids went onto the stage to participate in a kick-line and then sang The Red and Blue, hand motions and all! As one of our alums said, “the Mask & Wig undergrads were a true credit to Penn — not only putting on a show that was both funny and appropriate, but handled themselves with maturity and grace with our kids after the show.”

I think we may have found a way to have alumni connect with Penn on a whole different level – through their children.  It was an amazing event and we held another Penn family event Friday night at the University Museum.  We have 90 people registered for 40 Winks with the Sphinx for a scavenger hunt, movie, and sleepover at the Museum!  In my next post, I’ll give you an update on that event as well.

You can see photos from this event on our Phanfare site here.

Keep checking the Penn Alumni website for more family programs.

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