5/18
Campus & Community
Connecting communities impacted by COVID-19
Three Penn seniors combine their desire to help with their unique skill sets to create Corona Connects, an online platform that connects volunteers with organizations in need of support.
Alumni Weekend moves virtual, for now
To keep connected while staying apart, Penn alumni are invited to tune into online programming Saturday, May 16.
Celebrating alma maters: 125 years of ‘The Red and Blue’ and ‘Hail, Pennsylvania!’
President Amy Gutmann says singing along to “The Red and Blue,” composed 125 years ago, is the “most cherished” and “best known” tradition in song at Penn. The official alma mater, “Hail, Pennsylvania!” was also written in 1895. (Video)
A ‘first’ Commencement like no other
As the pandemic moves an in-person Commencement ceremony to a future date and time, a special live online University-wide celebration on Monday, May 18, will offer up a salute to graduates, the conferral of degrees, and some surprises.
‘United by a common good’
In a video message to the Penn community, President Amy Gutmann discusses the three R’s—resourcefulness, resilience, and responsiveness—which are guiding the University through such trying times.
Penn Libraries expands digital collections, online platforms, and expert support
To support the Penn community while working remotely, the Penn Libraries purchased 35,000 e-books, negotiated access to other digital collections, increased video streaming access, and tripled the number of librarians available to answer questions.
Cassandra Adams helps students navigate the health system in a crisis
As part of the Essential Staff Profiles series, Cassandra Adams’ work as a medical receptionist with Student Health Services is a critical service that helps keep students safe navigating their medical needs.
Celebrate the arts, history, and nature from home
While Penn’s arts and culture centers remain closed, they are still finding ways to sustain connections through online collections and programs.
A ‘Collective Climb’ to combat poverty
With the President’s Engagement Prize, seniors Hyungtae Kim, Kwaku Owusu, and Mckayla Warwick will work to combat poverty in West Philadelphia through education, shared resources, and community collaboration.
Drone light show by Verge Aero honors frontline workers
As part of the local #PhillyShinesBlue campaign and the global #LightItBlue campaign, the aerial tribute honored health care professionals and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the News
What’s it like to come home from prison? Reentry simulations let people experience it firsthand
With support from the STAR program, Aslam Ashari was able to enroll in an entrepreneurship course at Penn after his release from prison.
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A collector donated 75,000 comic books to Penn Libraries, valued at more than $500,000
Alumnus Gary Prebula and his wife, Dawn, have donated a $500,000 collection of more than 75,000 comic books and graphic novels to Penn Libraries, featuring remarks from Sean Quimly of the Kislak Center and Jean-Christophe Cloutier of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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He started college in prison. Now, he is Rutgers-Camden’s first Truman scholar
Tej Patel, a third-year in the Wharton School and College of Arts and Sciences from Billeria, Massachusetts, was one of 60 college students nationwide chosen to be a Truman Scholar.
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How did a white woman come to write the newest definitive text on Philadelphia’s Black history?
Penn alum Amy Jane Cohen is profiled for her new book “Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape,” which examines Black history through the lens of events, institutions, and individuals across the city. The book includes a reflection from Penn chaplain Charles Howard.
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Homeward bound: When a Penn Medicine nurse was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she turned to the service dogs she helped to train
A profile highlights Maria Wright of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, from her volunteer work connecting people with service dogs to her cancer diagnosis and her own journey applying for a service dog.
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