Category Archives: Photos

July 13, 2012 · 6:45 pm

Hurrah, Hurrah, A-Antarctica

Author: Nicole C. Maloy, W’95

As Philadelphia finds itself at the beginning of yet another heat wave, and as much of the nation has experienced record heat this summer, I thought I’d take you on a little trip with me through time and space to someplace just a bit cooler. In February 2008, I was fortunate enough to host a Penn Alumni Travel trip to Antarctica. Coolest moment (no pun intended, but it stays): being out on our Zodiac raft when three humpback whales decided to hang out with us. I casually asked the Naturalist driving us if there was any history of whales overturning a Zodiac raft. He shrugged. I tightened my life vest. A few of my video clips of those whales are below. I will never forget this trip, and my temperature has dropped a few degrees just looking at these photos again. May they have the same effect on you.

I love that the coats they gave us match our flag! If they’d been certain other colors, I think some alumni might have braved the cold for this photo.

One of my favorite shots of the trip. This Gentoo penguin chick walked up, stopped and looked at me before moving on.

Molting Adelie penguin chick teaches me a new dance.

This penguin chick walked right up to this guy and stopped. I tried to tell him, but he was too focused on taking photos of the penguins in front of him to hear me. So I started taking photos. Then his wife, approaching with that group on the left, starts pointing down at his feet. Then he looked down…

Oh, hello.

Three humpback whales befriend our raft. The woman sitting next to me is really, really excited about it.

Humpback whales are identified by the patterns on the underside of their tails. One of the Naturalists asked for this video because she didn’t think they’d seen this one before. And here I was thinking it was cool enough just to see it dive!

The ice. I still can’t believe I saw this with my own eyes.

Bottom of the world, Ma!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Nicole M., Penn Alumni Travel, Photos, Travel

Tagged as Antarctica, Penn Alumni Travel, Photographs, photos, travel

June 29, 2012 · 4:26 pm

Time to eat the Doughnuts!

by Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

This week I traveled to Seattle and Portland to visit our Penn Alumni Clubs in each city. While there, I was able to visit and taste some of the best doughnuts in the country – as so deemed by Travel + Leisure. It turns out, T+L thinks many of the country’s best donuts (doughnuts) are on the West Coast. I’ll do my best to report back in the coming months as I’m able to sample them!

On Monday, while in town to meet with the Penn Club of Seattle board, I first took a morning walk to Top Pot Doughnuts and sampled the old fashioned. Top Pot has several locations around Seattle, but I wanted to visit the original storefront. While I enjoyed the doughnut, there was a little too much glaze for my taste. Click here to see what T+L liked.

Seattle’s Top Pot Doughnuts

The Old Fashioned and a cappuccino at Top Pot.

For lunch, after an obligatory stop at Starbucks, I met with Kristine Tan Wright ’94, Belinda Bentzen Buscher ’92 and David Blum. We discussed the club’s upcoming incoming student send-off , plans for bringing a faculty member to the club in the coming year, and of course, the dreary weather (it is Seattle!).

Meeting with the Penn Club of Seattle – David Blum, Kristine Wright and Belinda Buscher.

Before driving to Portland, I made a super quick stop at another Seattle “best of” doughnut location – Mighty-O Donuts. North of downtown, also in a residential neighborhood, Mighty-Os are organic and vegan, but oh they are good. Crisp and crunchy on the outside, and a delicious not too sweet cake on the inside, I have to say, these are some of the best doughnuts I’ve ever had. Here is why T+L liked Mighty-O.

Seattle’s Mighty-O Doughnuts

Some of the unique doughnuts at Mighty-Os.

In Portland on Tuesday morning, it was time again for stretching my legs…and stopping by Voodoo Doughnuts, where they say, “the magic is in the hole.” I had visited Voodoo before and loved their maple bacon doughnut (2 whole pieces of bacon on each one). This time I tried a Portland Cream and chocolate. Mmmmmmmm…. Click here to see what T+L had to say.

Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts – the Magic is in the Hole.

Inside Voodoo Doughnuts

The menu at Voodoo.

Display case showing the interesting toppings at Voodoo.

At lunch, the Penn Club of Portland welcomed Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor Jonathan Moreno for a presentation and interactive discussion with alumni, parents and local friends. Everyone enjoyed his talk and is looking forward to the club’s annual Summer Lawn Party where new students and their families are welcomed to the Penn family.

Penn Professor Jonathan Moreno speaks to the Penn Club of Portland.

I always enjoy visiting our alumni clubs in the Pacific Northwest, but when I’m able to have a few free minutes to sample some local goodies, it makes the trip extra special! I encourage alumni in Portland and Seattle to grab some doughnuts and then call or email the local alumni clubs and stay engaged with Penn! Do you have a favorite doughnut spot? I hope to visit more best donuts soon – and report back!

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Filed under Clubs, GAN, Kiera R., Penn Clubs, Photos, West Coast Regional Office

Tagged as donuts, doughnuts, GAN, global alumni network, kiera, Kiera Reilly, penn, portland, Regional clubs, Regional Penn Clubs, seattle, travel, travel and leisure, West Coast Regional Office

June 5, 2012 · 10:21 am

Favorite Farmers’ Markets

by Lisa Marie Patzer

It is springtime and the local Farmers’ Markets in West Philadelphia are ready for business. On Wednesdays, the Farmers’ Market at University Square is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This market is conveniently located at 36th and Walnut streets outside of the Penn Bookstore.

Farmers’ Market at University Square

The Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative, a program of University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships participates in the Clark Park Farmer’s Market, located at 43rd St. & Baltimore Ave.

Clark Park Farmers’ Market

The Clark Park Farmers’ Market is open on Thursdays, from 3pm-7pm and Saturdays from 10am-2pm.

I am also a big fan of Mill Creek Farm located at 49th and Brown Streets in West Philadelphia, between Haverford and Lancaster Avenues.

Mill Creek Farm

Most of their produce is sold directly to residents of the neighborhood at the farm-stand they operate on the farm, or at the farmers’ market two blocks away. They also harvest their own honey bees.

Mill Creek Farm Bees

If you find yourself at Penn on a Wednesday afternoon, be sure to stop by the Farmers’ Market at University Square. The Honey Crisp apples are by far my all time favorite!

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Filed under Lisa Marie Patzer, Penn in the Summer, Photos, Sustainability at Penn, Uncategorized

May 30, 2012 · 9:42 am

Travel Photo Contest Winners

Author: Emilie Kretschmar

Penn Alumni Travel is a great way to see the world, make new friends, and learn about fascinating new peoples and cultures. But traveling on a Penn trip is also the perfect chance to hone in on your photography skills and bring a landscape, a culture, or a monument to life. We recently hosted our second annual travel photo contest and, with all the amazing entries, it was difficult to pick a winner. In the end, we named Robert Chewning, WG’76, the grand prize winner for his photograph of hippos in the Serengeti.

Other prizes were awarded to Robert Bartholomew, C’63, GAR’65 for his picture of school children in Peru.

Alice Freed, CW’68, GR’76 for her picture of a Maasai village in Tanzania.

Jack Swope, ME’56 for his image of an impala in the Maasai Mara.

And Julia Moore Converse for her fish sculpture picture in Peru.

A great travel photograph is both beautiful and inspirational and, if these photographs inspire you to travel, check out Penn Alumni Travel’s website (link to: ) for more information about upcoming trips. You can also like us on Facebook and share your own beautiful travel shots!

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Penn Alumni Travel, Photos, Travel

Tagged as travel

May 22, 2012 · 1:14 pm

Art Thou Happy?

by Lisa Marie Patzer

One of my favorite places to visit at Penn is the Institute of Contemporary Art on 36^th and Sansom Street. On a recent visit, I captured a few images:

Happiness Measured in Gum Balls

Scale of Happiness

: Happiness Confessional

The Happy Show is not about the color yellow, but about the concept of happiness. Stefan Sagmeister, the creator of The Happy Show, references his personal experience as well as psychological studies, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, pop culture, and demographic statistics.

If you find yourself in West Philly, stop by the ICA. As Sagmeister states, the show won’t necessarily make you happy, but it will give you a chance to interact with the notion of happiness.

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Filed under Fine Art, Lisa Marie Patzer, Photos, The Arts, The Arts at Penn, Uncategorized

May 18, 2012 · 4:01 pm

First Timer

by Liz Pinnie

This past Alumni Weekend was a time of firsts for me. It was the first time I actually listened to the words of “The Red and The Blue”, the first time I saw the Alumni Parade, the first time I spoke to Ben Franklin, the first time I experienced the joy of the food selection in the reunion tents and the agony of my feet at the end of a 14 hour day.

Great Display of Penn Spirit at Alumni Weekend 2012

I heard Kweder for the first (and second, and third, and fourth time), experienced a yPenn Highball (total blast), and ate multiple Insomnia Cookies after hours (thank you, Class of ’97 for your excellent party food choices). However, my favorite first was being able to walk in the 2012 Commencement.
(Click here to see the University Flickr Photo Album)

When I signed up to “work” Commencement, I expected to chit chat with alums, help them put their caps on, and then sit patiently through too much pomp and circumstance. I had it all wrong. Yes- I did chit chat with alums, and yes, I did help them into their cap and gowns. However, after doing this I looked around the room I was in and realized that I was surrounded by General Petraeus, Andrea Mitchell, Anna Deavere Smith, President Amy Gutmann, and the brilliant faculty of Penn. As if hob-nobbing with that crowd wasn’t enough, after a brief breakfast, I trailed alumni downstairs in order to walk in Commencement. “Walk in Commencement” doesn’t really do this justice: I didn’t just walk. I processed. In full on cap and gown. Into Franklin Field. In front of a thousands of parents in the stands, and a ton of students coating the field. Carrying a very official looking flag.

As I entered the stadium, the roar of the crowd crashed into me; parents waved from the stands, students tried to high five me, and for a second as I walked up the central aisle, I’m pretty sure my face (expression was probably a cross between surprise and rapture) made it up onto the mega TV. screens that flanked the stage.

I felt way more important than I am, and like a total rock star.

As if this wasn’t enough, I was then ushered into fantastic front row seats to experience the beautiful 2012 Commencement ceremony, which included an inspiring talk by Geoffrey Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTF1ytiR9gE

The crazy thing is that if you are a Penn Alumni, you too can have this experience. It’s like a two hour full body and mind revitalization; cheering fans, official regalia that makes you look very smart, great seats, rousing speakers- working and participating in Commencement is the bee’s knees. So next year, if you’re looking to be inspired, or have always wanted to be on a megatron, let us know. We’ll slap a cap on your head, a flag in your hands, and send you off into the cheering crowds for a day you won’t soon forget.

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Filed under Alumni Weekend, Commencement, Liz P., Photos, Reunions, Videos, View from Sweeten

April 17, 2012 · 9:19 am

Photo of the Day

Author: Lynn Carroll, C’93

Spring in the urban jungle…

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Lynn Carroll, Photos

April 10, 2012 · 9:20 am

RoboCup – Soccer Not Cyborg

Author: Lisa Marie Patzer

During a recent Penn Alumni event, I had the opportunity to see Dr. Dan Lee and three Penn engineering students demonstrate RoboCup. One of Penn’s RoboCup teams, the UPennalizers, describes RoboCup as “an international robotics competition that draws teams from all over the world to build and program robots that play soccer. The overarching aim of the competition is to have, by the mid 21st Century, a team of eleven autonomous robots that will beat the human soccer world champions.” Dr. Lee and the students demonstrated how the robots work using two of the Penn RoboCup players.

RoboCup Team Players

Through the use of sensors that can detect color and distance, dynamic motion that allows the robots to mimic basic human movement and advanced computational power, these cute plastic machines can play soccer independent of human control.

RoboCup player rests after the demonstration.

Penn Engineering has been participating in RoboCup games since the late 1990’s and has traveled throughout the United States as well as internationally to Istanbul, Graz, and Singapore. Team DARwIn, a collaborative effort between Penn and Virginia Tech, won first place in the Humanoid Kid Size competition at the 2011 RoboCup tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.

Team DARwIn

For more information about RoboCup and to see videos of them playing, visit their website!

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Filed under Events, Lisa Marie Patzer, Photos, Uncategorized

March 19, 2012 · 2:27 pm

Celebrating Spring: A Multimedia Extravaganza

Author: Leigh Ann P.

Spring has sprung, and after three years here, I have learned that I can count on Penn students to come up with garden activities that are far from garden-variety.

Here’s how I imagine these things come into being:

“Dude, I’m so sick of badminton, hackey sack, paddle ball, croquet, bocce, hula hooping, cornhole, tag, hide and seek, red light-green light, jump roping, tree climbing and lawn yoga.”

“Hmm…”

So here’s a picture of a student walking on a tightrope on College Green outside Sweeten.

Then what happens when you grow bored of tightrope walking?

You play Muggle Quidditch on Hill Field!

If you don’t know what Muggle Quidditch is, just picture Harry Potter-version Quidditch on flying broomsticks, minus the flying.

I attempted a self-portrait of me doing a Spring-themed cartwheel on College Green, but what came out was a realistic version of what would happen if I were to actually attempt a cartwheel.

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Filed under Campus Life, Leigh Ann P., Photos, View from Sweeten

February 24, 2012 · 3:24 pm

Snow at Penn

Author: Kiera Reilly, C’93

I work for Penn, but I am based in our western regional office in Los Angeles. For the past few years, I’ve returned to campus in February for the Penn Alumni board and Global Alumni Network retreats. Last year, I flew in from Seattle after a Penn event there the night before, and our flight was delayed due to snow in Philadelphia. My colleagues flying with me were not thrilled, nor was everyone back at Penn, as about a week or so prior there was a huge snowstorm. Snow was still around making everyone miserable, and no one wanted any more.

But for me, I couldn’t have been happier. I love the winter and snow. I was born in New Jersey but moved to Texas when I was 12. When I decided to attend Penn for college, I looked forward to beautiful snow falling on the campus. Sadly, during my four years on campus, we barely had any snowfall. My senior year, as everyone was returning from Spring Break, we finally got some serious snow – enough to cancel flights and delay everyone’s return to campus.

So, when I was on campus two weekends ago, I was thrilled to be in a session with our Global Alumni Network volunteers in Huntsman Hall and see snow falling outside. It wasn’t sticking to the ground though, but it made me smile. Later that night, as I exited the Palestra after watching the Men’s Basketball team eke out a victory over Dartmouth, it was snowing again. I was with Melissa Wu, C’98, of PennClubLA, and Beth Topor, W’80, of the Penn Club of Northern California. How fitting that three California Penn grads walked out to windy snow…and then desperately tried to find an available cab.

I didn’t get any pictures of that snow, since it was night, but I share with you below some photos from March 2009 that I took. Everything is so pretty when covered with snow!