Recognizing Rodin

Former Penn President Judith Rodin was honored at the American Psychological Association’s 113th annual meeting in August with an award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology. Rodin, who is now president of the Rockefeller Foundation, was recognized for her “vision and daring,” as well as her scholarly research, which, according to the APA brings “psychology to health, and health to psychology.”

On stage

Next summer, Student Performing Arts at Penn will have a new, permanent home in the lower level of Stouffer College House, with nearly 13,000 square feet of office, rehearsal and performance space. Construction of the new space—the Platt Student Performing Arts House—is being made possible by a major gift from Marc E. Platt C’79 and his wife, Julie Beren Platt C’79. Marc Platt, formerly an executive at Orion, TriStar and Universal Pictures, now has his own company, which has produced hits like “Legally Blonde” and Broadway’s “Wicked.” He says the gift is a tribute to the role Penn played in honing his own theatrical and musical skills. “Penn’s theatre and music programs had a profound impact on our lives,” he said, “not only in what we learned, but also in the fun we had and the friendships we made.”

In a minute

Professors from the School of Arts and Sciences deliver a minute-long talk, on a range of topics, every Wednesday as part of the 60-Second Lecture Series. Earlier this semester, Sociologist Tukufu Zuberi gave the talk, “Divided and Dangerous: Human History From a Different Angle” and English Professor Wendy Steiner talked about “Beauty.” The lectures are held at noon sharp at Locust Walk and 37th Street.

Two more lectures are on the fall schedule: Physics Professor Vijay Balasubramanian chats about “The Knowable Universe” on Sept. 28 and Professor of Film Studies Karen Beckman delivers the lecture, “Crash” on Oct. 5. Stick around after the minute-long talk for edible treats and music from the folk band, Nooney Tunes. For more information, go to: www.sas.upenn.edu.