Campus & Community

A scientist kneeling on a lawn checks a well using electronic monitoring equipment

Keeping rain out of the drain

From cisterns beneath Shoemaker Green to the green roof on New College House, special features of campus buildings and landscapes are helping manage stormwater to keep rain from the sewer lines, and scholars are using the infrastructure as a research opportunity.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

Graduates toss their caps in the air.

Penn’s 263rd Commencement

The Class of 2019 took to Franklin Field on Monday, May 20, for Penn’s 263rd Commencement ceremony, where President Amy Gutmann urged graduates to “weave together a world better, freer, and more inclusive.”

Lauren Hertzler ・

Anea Moore, Calvary Rogers, Savi Joshi, Ryan Leone, Julia Pan, Michael B. Krone, Candida Alfaro, and Aren Raisinghani

Class of 2019 Ivy Day Ceremony and awardees

On Saturday, May 18, the Class of 2019 celebrated its Ivy Day Ceremony during Alumni Weekend, continuing the 146-year tradition by honoring students for their achievements and contributions to the Penn community.

Tina Rodia ・

Bike rider in the rain coming down a street with cars and trucks in the opposite lane

The beauty of the two-wheeled commute

On Bike to Work Day, Penn will fete two-wheeled commuters with snacks, showers, and swag. For many at the University, commuting by bike is a way of life. Five Penn staff and faculty share how they make it work and why they keep riding.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・



In the News


Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

FULL STORY →

WHYY (Philadelphia)

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.

FULL STORY →

India West

UPenn to confer honorary doctorate on Siddhartha Mukherjee

Celebrated physician and best-selling author Siddhartha Mukherjee will deliver the address at the 2024 University of Pennsylvania Commencement, featuring remarks from Interim President J. Larry Jameson.

FULL STORY →

The Washington Post

College internships matter more than ever — but not everyone can get one

Almost 90% of students who graduated from Penn in 2023 completed an internship during college. Barbara Hewitt of Career Services says that the race to get talent early has resulted in a focus on getting early practical experience through many ways in students’ academic careers.

FULL STORY →

The Wall Street Journal

Harvard University applications fall by 5%

Penn received more than 65,000 undergraduate applications for the Class of 2028, the most in its history.

FULL STORY →