By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly
My dogs Koa and Lau Lau are enjoying the University’s special winter break. They especially like to sit under the tree, near the Penn ornament (hand painted by my classmate Lisa Bardfeld Shapiro, C’93) and hope that if they smile for a photo they’ll receive a treat. It seems to work every time!
Merry Christmas!
Filed under Class of 1993, Kiera R., Photos
Author: Emilie C. K. LaRosa
This fall, use your lunch break (or your coffee break) to learn something new and interesting. Penn Alumni Office Hours is offering six great webinars on topics as varied as Burma, self control, and the benefits of pet ownership from renowned Penn faculty members. The best part? They’re all free! The second best part? They’re easy to access; it’s as simple as clicking on a web link. No special software, hardware, or downloads required.
Learn more about our Office Hours online webinar series here or check out our six sessions below. Registration for all webinars is required.
Penn Professor Carol Muller
Teaching World Music Using New Technology (October 22, 2013 at 3 p.m. EST) With Penn Professor Carol Muller. This webinar will discuss the advantages and limitations of using new technologies–specifically online learning platform for teaching about music of the worlds peoples. This will include classes for conventional Penn students and those in MOOC (massively open online courses) style. You will hear a sampling of the music that students hear in Muller’s classes, from pygmy “hoots” to Australian aboriginal chanting, and think about how new technologies are reshaping the way we access knowledge from around the world.
Lisa and George travel through Burma.
Explore Exotic Burma (October 23, 2013 at 3 p.m. EST) With Lisa Ellen Niver (C’89) and her husband George Rajna, founders of We Said Go Travel. Myanmar holds a special place in the hearts of Lisa and George. They met online because Lisa told George, “The Shwedagon Pagoda is my favorite place on the planet.” Join them for a webinar on the highlights of this unique and unspoiled land. [Penn Alumni Travel will be visiting Myanmar in November 2014. Click here for more information.]
Amazing Machu Picchu in Peru.
The Art and Culture of Peru (October 30, 2013 at 12 p.m. EST) With Larry Silver, the Farquhar Professor of Art History. Professor Silver will discuss the arts and culture of Peru and its extraordinary monument Machu Picchu. [Penn Alumni Travel will be visiting Peru and the Amazon in 2014. Click here for more information.]
Wharton Professor Katherine Milkman
The Science of Self Control (November 6, 2013 at 12 p.m. EST) With Wharton Professor Katherine Milkman. The obesity epidemic is just one example of a major societal problem that is driven in large part by self-control failures. Other examples include under-saving for retirement, under-utilization of preventive medical care, and under-investing in education. This talk will provide a short overview of past research on self-control as well as findings from a new branch of psychology and economics that are being used to help policy makers and individuals reduce the incidence of self-control failures.
Could these little pups increase your life expectancy?
The Effects of Pet Ownership (Is owning a pet healthy?) (December 3, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.) With Penn Vet Professor James Serpell. More than 30 years ago, the results of a single landmark study appeared to indicate that pet owners were more likely to survive for one year following a heart attack than non-owners. In the ensuing years, continued research has elaborated and expanded upon those original findings, as well as shedding light on some possible mechanisms that could account for the salutary effects of pet ownership on people. This presentation will provide an overview of this developing field and its implications.
Vintage cars in Cuba.
The Art and Culture of Cuba (December 4, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.) With Penn Professor Ezekiel Dixon-Roman. Professor Dixon-Roman will discuss the history, culture, and economics of the Communist-run island nation of Cuba.
To register for any of these great webinars, simply click on the webinar’s title to be directed to the free registration page.
Filed under Alumni Benefits, Alumnni Education, Emilie, Penn Alumni Travel, Penn Vet, Travel, Wharton
By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly
Here in Penn’s Western Regional Office, we love our pets . Like any proud parents, we often share photos of our “kids.” Our furry friends obliged us and allowed us to dress them for the season.
Elizabeth Fields, Director of Penn’s Western Regional office, said her dog Leinie wasn’t too excited about this Hanukkah sweater, but she consented to wear it long enough to take her picture.
Leinie dutifully wearing a Hanukkah sweater.
Felicity Woods, C’93, a volunteer with the Penn Club of Northern California’s Sacramento chapter, shared photos of her two dogs Jack and Minimus in their holiday finery.
Jack lives in California, so of course he has bling-y shades to ring in the New Year:
Jack ready to celebrate the New Year!
Jack’s cousin Minimus is looking festive in his red bow tie. He received a dollar for his dancing abilities!
Minimus looking suave in his red tie.
Minimus looks good in both red and green, as evidenced by this festive green collar he’s wearing here:
Minimus in his Christmas collar.
Jack and Minimus’ cousin Payton likes wearing a tiara.
Here’s a male who likes a tiara!
Lisa Cohen, C’85, PAR’15, co-president of the Southern California Regional Advisory Board, shared her family pet photos.
In the Cohen household, Penn is prominent – they named their dog Penni!
Penni Cohen looks sweet in this purple scarf.
The Cohen bunnies, Quaker and Ben, were excited to celebrate Hanukkah.
Quaker and Ben Cohen celebrating Hanukkah in Los Angeles.
Lisa tells me that Ben (the brown rabbit) is a little chunky, just like his namesake Ben Franklin. And, “Quaker likes the limelight so much (like the real Quaker mascot!!) we could barely get her off the couch and back in the rabbit carrier.”
Finally, here are my “angels,” as we affectionately call them when they’re running around the house barking at the possum in our yard. Standing in line at the mall with a bunch of other dogs around was a bit overstimulating, so I’m amazed they were able to sit still for this photo with Santa. Koa and Lau Lau are trying to be on their best behavior so that they’ll be on Santa’s Nice list.
Koa and Lau Lau sit for Santa.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year from
Leinie, Jack, Minimus, Penni, Ben, Quaker, Koa and Lau Lau!
Woof! Woof!
Filed under Kiera R., Photos, Uncategorized, West Coast Regional Office
Author: Emily Siegel
Each year high school students flood the campus in the summer months to determine if Penn might be a good college fit for them. As a top-notch research university it comes as no surprise the campus receives thousands of visitors each year, but it appears that Penn’s popularity knows no boundaries. In a first for the University, Penn has officially garnered interest from the canine persuasion as well!
In a recent visit, Daedelus (“Dade” for short) dropped in to learn more about this great place. Not wanting to discriminate based on fur; we gave him the royal treatment, showing him all that Penn has to offer!
So, we took him to where it all started – Ben Franklin. He seemed quite impressed.
Dade and Ben are Friends
And any visit to Penn isn’t complete without a stroll down Locust Walk.
The sun-dappled Locust Walk
He loved all of the artwork on campus, especially the LOVE Statue and Peace Sign.
Totally Peaceful
In LOVE
He was particularly impressed by the architecture of the campus buildings, noting the Castle as one of his favorites.
The Castle and Dade
He marveled when told about Penn’s impressive alumni community. He really thought it was cool that Charles Addams, the creator of The Addams Family, went to Penn too. Although he admits he was a little hesitant about being walked by Morticia.
Addams Family
Being Walked by One of the Hands on The Gates
After all that walking, he needed a break.
Resting
After the tour, he had a chance to sit down with Steve from PAARC and have all of his questions answered.
Dade and Steve Discuss Dade's Future at Penn
We think it’s fair to say he seemed to really appreciate the special attention he was given during his visit. And we loved having him!
Filed under Campus Life, Emily S.
Frankly Penn 