Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Kaitlin Meiss, W’15

Alumni Weekend is always one of the highlights of my year. Especially after my stressful finals, it is the perfect reminder of why I love Penn. The reason for Penn’s success is its alumni who strive for the continuation of excellence.  The last two years I have worked with the Old Guard Reunions (60th, 65th, and 70th Reunions). The Old Guard is the epitome of dedication to their alma mater. I am amazed by their lifelong commitment and love hearing their heartwarming memories from their time at Penn. I hope that I can be half as dedicated as them.  My favorite part of the weekend is the Parade of Classes. The Penn spirit is really palpable.

I cannot wait to help out this Alumni Weekend and then help plan my own reunions in the future!

There are so many great events going on but, I can’t wait to attend this panel; it should be phenomenal!

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Friday, May 16: 4:00 – 5:15 PM (please note time changed from 3:30 PM)

Defining Success at Life’s Milestones and Beyond

Benjamin Franklin Room, Houston Hall, 2nd floor
3417 Spruce Street

Is success defined by your professional achievements, philanthropy, volunteering, fulfilling relationships, thriving children, or getting to level 70 in Candy Crush? How does success evolve over time? When you look at the balance sheet of your life, is it filled with more joy than regret? Despite setbacks, how do you define success and find peacefulness along the way? Join this inspiring group of classmates and faculty for a conversation about getting underneath one of life’s Big Questions: What is success?

Join Richard Shell, Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics and Management, Gary Lauder, C84 W84, Randi Hutter Epstein, C’84 and Robert Wolf, W’84 for an engaging and interactive conversation.

By: Stephanie Yee, C’08

Spring is finally here! Enjoy the beautiful West Philly blooms of spring 2014.

Caught this beautiful corner in West Philly on my way back from the Clark Park Farmer’s Market

Purple perfection

My favorite tree

Have you ever seen such unique flowers?

The Netter Center for Community Partnerships is very excited for Alumni Weekend 2014!  Join us for several fun events on Saturday, May 17!

Our Annual Alumni Panel will take place 4:30-6:00 PM in Skirkanich Hall (210 S. 33rd Street).  Hear from Associate Vice President and Founding Director of the Netter Center, Ira Harkavy (C’70, G’79), as well as from a graduating senior from the Class of 2014, and alumni representing the Classes of 79, 89, 94, 99, and 09!  Learn more about the many aspects of Penn’s engagement with West Philadelphia schools and other community organizations. CLICK HERE to Register (Free – registration encouraged but not required). A light reception will follow the program.

Early that day — Anthony Price, Captain of the Penn 1979 Final Four basketball team and founder of “Paying the Price Foundation” partners with Penn Alumni families and the Netter Center to host the first annual Skills and Drills Basketball Clinic for children of Penn alumni ages 8 – 18.  Join us 9:00-11:00 AM at Pottruck Gym.  CLICK HERE to Register for this event.  Cost is $15 per participant, and all proceeds from this event support West Philadelphia youth after school sports clubs.

The Class of ’89 and the Netter Center are hosting a Community Service Project.  From 9:30 – 11 AM at Sweeten, members of the Class of 1989 and their families will record audio books for children at local schools and CHOP.

For more info on any of these activities, contact Rita Hodges (C’05), ritaa@sas.upenn.edu

By: Stephanie Yee, C’08

I have been spending more and more time in the Smilow Center for Translational Research for work. I always try to stop for a moment to admire the Time to Shine wall.

Incredible wall showcasing Penn’s Time to Shine: Making History Campaign

The wall is a must-see in person. Trust me, the photo does not do it justice.

Great lounge area in the lobby next to the coffee stand

Peace. Love. Traditions.

By Jackie Van Loan, C ‘16

Last Wednesday, fling-ready students were feeling Penn spirited and free spirited for the annual Penn Traditions Spirit Day! This year, we shook it up a bit with some friendly inter-class competition. Students stopped by our table wearing their Penn Traditions tee (you know, the one they got during NSO) or any gear with their class year on it, and snagged a pair of free groovy glasses, Lennon style! AND the class with the most spirit won $1000 for their class! Things got pretty heated, with the Class Presidents pulling out all the shots to win the moolah. We hear freshman Class Prez even used SnapChat to spread the word:

It was a tight race, but the winner was…CLASS OF 2016!

#2016Pride #PennPride

Hey, Institute of Contemporary Art! You don’t look a day over 40! Here’s to 50 more years of bringing exciting new art to the public eye and generally making Penn a more fun place to be. Let’s party!

This year, the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia rolled out exciting new programming as part of our Dinner Lecture Series. Penn alumni can expect to enjoy delicious food, engaging conversation, and a unique educational experience.

New logo for our new programming!

In March, we visited the famed Victor Café in South Philadelphia, where the wait staff not only serves, they also sing opera! Our guest speaker was Brooke McCorkle, Penn PhD student in Musicology, concentrating in opera. A Benjamin Franklin Fellow, Brooke is an accomplished double bassist, Japanologist, and music historian. In her dissertation, Brooke composes a cultural history that examines the heretofore unexplored relationship between modernity, national ideology, and Wagner reception in Japan from 1868 to 1952.

In April, we visited Harvest Season Grill and Wine Bar on Penn’s campus. You may remember the Marathon Grill and MarBar that used to live in that space. Our group was joined by Danie Greenwell, C’03, the controller at Common Market. Common Market, co-founded by Penn alumna Tatiana Garcia-Granados, C’97, WG’03, is a nonprofit that distributes fresh, local farm food to both wholesale and individual customers including Bon Appetit at Penn. In addition, Danie works for Farm to City, a company that has brought millions of pounds of fresh farm food into the city through farmer’s markets, CSAs and buying clubs. Farm to City also runs the farmers market at Penn.

In May, we have a special treat for Penn alumni. Penn alumna Ellen Yin, W’87 WG’93, owner of Fork Restaurant, the acclaimed New American Bistro in Old City, Philadelphia, will be joining us at her new restaurant High Street on Market. Alumni will enjoy a special and seasonal four-course prix fixe dinner in a private room followed by a lecture by Ellen.

Join us on Wednesday, May 21st for our Dinner Lecture Series at High Street on Market Featuring Owner Ellen Yin, W’87 WG’93

We hope you will join us as we continue to explore the incredible Philadelphia restaurant scene and learn from outstanding individuals from the Penn alumni community. Check out our events calendar on our website and see event photos on Facebook.

By: Joshua Durando

The Trustees’ Council of Penn Women (TCPW) – an international network of Penn alumnae – awarded Janet Napolitano with the Beacon Award during the spring conference “Penn Women” Leading the Way”. The award, which is TCPW’s highest honor, is given in recognition of commitment to the advancement of women and gender equality. Ms. Napolitano is the 13^th recipient of this prestigious award joining past winners Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Toni Morrison. Even taking a quick look at her credentials there is no question as to why.

Ms. Napolitano currently serves as President of the University of California system, the first woman to become the leader of the world’s largest university system. Her past accomplishments are just as impressive having served as the Governor of Arizona and the first female attorney general of the state, and as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. She is the first and only woman to hold the position to date.

In her speech Ms. Napolitano raised questions about the messages we are sending to women, and how we may be subtly steering them away from opportunities to lead. She tackled the word “bossy” as an example of how we identify executive leadership qualities in women as a negative, but celebrate them in men. Napolitano also noted the importance of “raising their hand”. She spoke about how if women are in the right place at the right time and you are ready, how vital it is that they not self-select out of leadership opportunities. Ms. Napolitano encouraged the women in the audience to take risks, and to teach younger generations of women to do the same.

Ms. Napolitano’s award was just one of the many celebrations of women that took place over the two days of the annual spring conference. Other highlights include: Panels “Women & Politics:  Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”, and “Then and Now:  Penn Trailblazers Reflect”; a presentation by Wharton Professor Stewart Friedman titled “Leadership for the Total Person: The Impossible Dream?”; and presentations of TCPW’s athletic achievement, student leadership and Huber-Giles Memorial awards.

Although many of the messages throughout the conference are geared towards woman audience, and many of the anecdotes are based on experiences of overcoming the challenges of being a woman leader, I think there are lessons to be learned for everyone. As a male, I was enlightened by many of the stories, and inspired to take some of these lessons to hear to apply in my own life.

For more information on the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women, visit: http://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/index.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=420

By: Edna S.

Flinger Food is back!!

If you’re around April 11^th, 2014 form 6-8pm please stop by the Penn Traditions and yPenn tent next to Shoemaker Green. We’ll be handing out free food and give-a-ways to students before the Spring Fling concert!

It’s amazing how fast March sped by and now April is here. It feels like I’m running a marathon. Student events such as Final Toast and the Multicultural Outreach team happy hour with Alumni and current students are right around the corner! Where is this semester going? I’m trying to catch my breath while the reality sets in…graduation is right around the corner too! It didn’t feel official until I received my results. I passed my comprehensive exams!!

Which means I officially bought my cap and gown. I got so caught up trying to pass my exam, keep up with classwork and work that I forgot about this exciting part!

Now I’m debating which items to get. Hmm….

Which Class ring?

Which Diploma frame?

Penn Club Membership

My announcements also just arrived! Which makes the reality of graduating sink in a little bit more. Is there some form of senioritis that graduate students suffer from? Because I think I’m there…