Major gift

An anonymous donor has given Penn $10 million to support a University initiative aimed at recruiting top faculty members. The Penn Integrates Knowledge initiative was launched to attract faculty whose research and teaching exemplify the “integration of knowledge” across disciplines, and the new gift will create four endowed professorships that will be joint appointments between Penn’s schools. The integration of knowledge is a signature element of Penn President Amy Gutmann’s Penn Compact, a three-point plan for taking Penn “from excellence to eminence.” The anonymous donor said he was “delighted to give Dr. Gutmann the tools she needs to accomplish her ambitious plans for Penn.”

Act your age

Curious about cutting-edge anti-aging therapies? Then join medical and surgical experts in aging and other fields for a discussion of “The Art & Science of Anti-Aging Therapies: Convergence of Theory and Practice” on March 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 19 from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Penn Medicine Auditorium, Biomedical Research Building II/III, 421 Curie Blvd. Sponsored by Penn’s Institute on Aging and Center for Human Appearance, the conference will cover topics ranging from the role of genetics and psychology in the maturing adult to laser treatments for the aging face. Register at www.med.upenn.edu/aging/.

Model behavior

Film buffs—your local festival needs you! Volunteer at this year’s Philadelphia Film Festival (April 7 through April 20) to lend a hand with operations of the festival. Volunteer opportunities exist in theater management, box office sales, guest services and publicity. Training sessions will take place on Saturday, March 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at one of the Fest’s venues, The Bridge: Cinema de Lux, 40th and Walnut sts; and from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on March 28 and 31 at William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. For more information, contact the festival’s volunteer coordinator, Patrick Brogan, at 215-733-0608, ext. 260 or email him at pbrogan@phillyfests.com.