Author: Kelly O’Connor
Looking for something to do near Penn’s campus this summer?
Head over to the Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll tomorrow, August 16th from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. More than 25 local business and vendors will be setup from 42nd to 50th Streets with $1 deals. Check out what there is to offer while enjoying live music and performances.
For more information, check out University City District’s Website.
Filed under Events
Author: Lisa Marie Patzer
In 2006, when I moved to Philly from Denver, I decided to sell my Subaru and see if I could get by without a car. I relied on SEPTA, Philly Car Share, and my two trusty bicycles for transportation. Since then, I’ve developed a new appreciation for what people do with bikes. This first picture is of a 1988 Pinarello Montello and is very similar to the bike I ride around town. A very average bike.
Cherry Red Pinarello
But then there is this guy.
Wash Cycle Laundry
He works for Wash Cycle Laundry, Philadelphia’s sustainable laundry and linen rental service. They haul tons of laundry every week using bicycles and trailers. Bilenky Cycle Works, (BCW) is a specialty bicycle shop in North Philly dedicated to making custom bicycles “one frame at a time.” They can make you a pizza delivery bike similar to this one if you want.
Pizza Delivery Bike by Bilenky Cycle Works
In October of 2010, BCW organized the first ever Philly Bike Expo, bringing together bicycle makers and enthusiasts from around the country. Here are a couple of my favorite photos from that event.
Wooden Bike Sculpture
Fixed Gear Display
Pink Cargo Bike
Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby display
The University of Pennsylvania has it’s own history with the bicycle. This photo, made available by the University Archives Digital Image Collection, was taken in 1914 in front of College Hall. I would like to see the woman in the white dress and big hat riding one of those bikes.
College Hall, 1914
And this was taken in 1963 in front of Annenberg Center.
Annenberg Center, 1963
This illustration is from the University Calendar, September 1905, and below it is a black and white drawing by Morton Livingston Schamberg, circa 1900.
University Calendar, Illustration, September 1905
Illustration by Morton Livingston Schamberg, 1900
And here is a photo I took today on campus.
Schwinn Seat
Old and new, bicycles are a part of the Philadephia experience and life on campus. For more information about bicycling in Philadelphia, check out The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia web site.
Author: Lynn Carroll, C’93
Penn has more student groups than you can shake a stick at. A quick glance at the Penn Registered Student Groups site showed 629 groups, listing everything from the Alexander Hamilton Society to Zymurgists of Penn Dental (link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201638156576351). If you put two Penn students in a room for 2 minutes, they’ll form a group and start fighting over who gets to be president.
Despite the fleeting nature of student activities, some groups have stood the test of time, like Mask and Wig or the Penn Band.
Lookin’ fine in ’89 (1889, that is) and talkin’ jive in ’25!
Alas, most student groups don’t have such long legacies. In a salute to all the groups whose presidents, mission/vision/values statements, and bylaws have faded from memory, I thought I would highlight a few that we miss oh, so fondly. They are presented in roughly chronological order; feel free to add your own elegies in the comments.
Zelosophic Society: Looked like a hip, happening group of fellows back in 1904, I bet they were the cat’s pajamas! I wonder what happened?
Students for a Democratic Society: An anti-war student activist group that made a significant impact nationally by organizing the 1965 March on Washington.
Save Open Space: This group protested the building of hideous Meyerson Hall at 34th and Walnut in the ’60s, now (ironically) home to the School of Design. Unfortunately for them (and for the architectural beauty of campus), they were unsuccessful.
Albino Squirrel Preservation Society: And I quote… “We, the members of the University of Pennsylvania chapter of the international Albino Squirrel Preservation Society network, affirm our dedication to the constant pursuit of squirrel equality.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Filed under Alumni Perspective, Lynn Carroll
Author: Nicole C. Maloy, W’95
One of Penn’s most exciting resources is one that many students and alumni have never explored. Now there is a new way for you to see what you may have been missing.
The University of Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is a gem, with permanent and traveling exhibits that offer access to rare and fascinating items from around the world. In honor of the Museum’s 125th anniversary, 125 objects in the collection are being featured on the Museum’s blog under the tag “Object of the Day.” This began on June 15, so take a look at what has been highlighted so far, and watch for an additional piece each weekday through the Museum’s birthday on December 6. Wherever you are now, don’t miss this easy chance to familiarize yourself with an amazing center of knowledge at your own alma mater.
Attic red figure amphora from Athens, Greece, around 490 BCE, featuring a winged Nike, goddess of victory.
This funerary/guardian figure from Gabon, on the West coast of Central Africa, is made of wood covered in sheets of copper and brass.
Satin Mandarin square from the Qing Dynasty, China (19th century) depicting a Qilin, a mythical horse-like animal reserved for the weaves of first rank military officers.
This Egyptian statue from 1479-1458 BCE is made of sandstone, and pigment remains on the wig, face and hands.
You can find even more items via the Penn Museum’s new Online Collections Database, but the “Object of the Day” blog feature is great place to start. Check it out, and remember to build in a visit next time you return to campus so you, friends, and family can learn about objects like these, among many, many more.
Filed under Historical, Nicole M., Penn Museum, Photos, Uncategorized
Author: Emilie Kretschmar
There are few things more fascinating than watching a pride of lions attempt to take down a water buffalo while in the company of remarkable Penn alumni. In July, I headed off to Tanzania to host an African wildlife safari. I was in good company; we had 17 passengers and graduates from the School of Arts & Sciences, Nursing, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and the Wharton School. Quite the mix of interests and careers!
After a layover in Amsterdam, we arrived in Arusha, the fourth largest city in Tanzania. There, we met our wonderful and knowledgeable guides: Allan, Salim, and Godson.
The guides show their Red and Blue spirit.
On our first morning in Arusha, the guides met our group with three Land Rovers specially equipped with cut-out rooftops which are perfect for jumping up and taking wildlife pictures or scoping out the scenery with binoculars. Tarangire National Park was our first stop. Tarangire is known for its wonderful diversity of wildlife, its famous baobab trees, and its large elephant herds. It didn’t take us long before we spotted an elephant.
This was our first elephant sighting. He stands next to a baobab tree.
Before we knew it, there were elephants everywhere. Elephant herds with babies and juveniles came into view around every corner. In fact, when the guides had to fix a flat tire on the second Tarangire day (poor Allan and Salim!), we were surrounded by 20 or more elephants throwing red dust upon their backs.
A large elephant throws red dirt onto her back.
A trip highlight was the Ngorongoro Crater, Earth’s largest unbroken caldera. It was created when the land collapsed after a volcanic eruption. Ngorongoro is known for its high density of carnivores and is the only place in East Africa where one can easily observe a natural population of black rhino. Although we did not see a black rhino, we were able to watch the aforementioned a pride of lions stalk a herd of buffalo.
We got a good view of the lions as they crept towards the buffalo. Apparently, safari jeeps pose no threat to this pride.
This lion backs off after the bulls begin to charge.
Our final destination was the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth. We were following the migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle as they roamed for grass and water. Due to drought, most of the large herds had already made their way north to Kenya, but there was still plenty of wildlife to see.
Waiting for a giraffe to cross the road.
Zebras staring at me which they were oft to do.
After a week and a half of game-watching, it was time to head back to Arusha. Instead of traveling the 10 hours it would take by car, we grabbed a plane at the Serengeti International Airport.
Terminal 1 at the Serengeti International Airport. Zebras and wildebeest are common sights on the runway.
The trip was wonderful. The animals were incredible, the guides were friendly and insightful, and the alumni passengers were the best companions a host could hope for. Traveling is always an adventure, but it was particularly wonderful to share it with a group of interesting and intellectual people. I would say we all gave this trip 17 thumbs up!
Penn Alumni in the Serengeti National Park.
You can see more pictures from this trip and other Penn Alumni Travel trips here. If this blog inspired you to take your own Penn Alumni Travel trip, our new 2013 schedule is up here.
Filed under Emilie, Penn Alumni Travel, Travel
Author: Lisa Marie Patzer
Penn Alumni have a long history of Olympic success. Pictured here are some of the University’s past and present Olympic Athletes.
George Washington Orton (1873-1958), winning his Olympic gold medal, July 1900
Donald Fithian “Don” Lippincott (November 16, 1893 – January 9, 1963)
William Arthur Carr (1909-1966), B.S. in Economics 1933, at the starting line
Anita Luceete DeFrantz (born 1952), J.D. 1977, yearbook photograph
Gold medal winner Susan Francia C’04 G’04, and Koko Archibong C’03, stopped to pose together in the Olympic Village earlier this week!
This photo is today’s competitor in the Ivy+ Alumnipics competition. Show your Penn Pride by “liking” the photo on Facebook here before 11EST tomorrow. The more “likes” we receive, the greater our chances of winning the gold medal!
(Archival images courtesy of the University Archives Digital Image Collection, http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/archives/index.html)
Filed under Alumni Profile, Athletics, Historical, Lisa Marie Patzer, Notable Alumni, Photos, Uncategorized
Author: Stephanie Yee, C08
Last week, I had the pleasure of eating dinner at Doc Magrogan’s, the newest restaurant on Penn’s campus. The food was delicious, the service was fantastic, and the décor was perfectly Penn. The private room upstairs was decorated with a beautiful mirror etched with the Arms of the University of Pennsylvania. I can’t stop thinking about the Penn mirror, and I want to know where I can find one for my home. Any ideas?
Filed under Uncategorized
Author: Jason Strohl
It it day 6 of the Ivy+ Alumpics, and the topic is Community Service. Make sure you visit the Penn Facebook page and “like” today’s photo. Every person counts!
Members of Penn’s Class of 1981 brought their families together for community service with Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Project.
Author: Amanda D’Amico
With the Olympics on TV day and night, it’s hard not to think about sports. In fact, every two years, I’m reminded of some obscure sports and games that most people don’t normally discuss on a daily basis.
But Penn students are usually talking about them. In fact, Penn hosts 25 of 35 official Olympic sports, either as an official athletic team or as a club activity. Here’s a complete run-down of those events.
With these numbers, we’re sure to have alumni at Olympic games for many years to come.
And while we’re at it, let’s not forget to congratulate Penn alumna, Susan Francia, C’04, G’04, who just received her second the gold in the rowing competition at the London 2012 Olympics! Read more about it here.
Photo courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania
Author: Aimee LaBrie
This is the fourth day in a row of the Alumpics Ivy+ photo competition, and Penn is decidedly behind the rest of the pack, in large part because we have so many loyal followers to our Penn Facebook page.
However, you can still make a difference by liking today’s photo on Facebook here. The topic was academics, and I thought I’d post something totally adorable. Here is the associated photo from Penn Vet’s Summer program. He’s looking right at you and saying, VOTE!
To see what our peer institutions are posting, visit the Alumpics website.
Filed under Aimee L., Ivy+, Uncategorized
Frankly Penn 