Announcements

Dear students, I write to share the sad news of the passing of one of your classmates. Johnathan Christian Smith, a member of the Class of 2019 who had been on medical leave from the university following a cancer diagnosis, died July 14th while in the hospital undergoing treatment. Johnathan was 21 and from Trinidad and Tobago.

I am so very sad to share the news of the passing of your classmate, Aran Rana, who died Monday at home in Hong Kong. Aran was 19 and on a leave of absence from the university. Aran is survived by his parents, Aditya and Naomi Rana, and a brother, Makia. Aran’s “friendliness, his kindness, and his vivaciousness is what stands out,” Aditya Rana shared. “That’s really what touched most people.” Aran entered Penn in 2015 as a member of the Class of 2019 in the College. He lived in Riepe College House as a first-year undergraduate.

We write in response to the several inquiries and petitions that we have received regarding the University’s support for our Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students.  We are grateful that so many members of the Penn community have spoken out and communicated their support for our undocumented students.  Let us be unequivocally clear: We are and remain resolute in our commitment to Penn’s undocumented students, and will do all that we can to ensure their continued safety and success here at Penn. 

We write today to share difficult news about your classmate, Benjamin Schüttler. Benji, as he was known, passed away Monday in Philadelphia due to complications from surgery. Benji was 27 years old and from Atlanta. In addition to pursuing an MBA at Wharton, he was a Master of Public Policy candidate at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Benji earned his undergraduate degrees from Wharton and the College in 2012 as part of the Huntsman Program for International Studies and Business.

To the MEAM Community: We write you with heavy hearts to convey the tragic news of the death of Alfredo "Freddy" Abravanel, a Master's student in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics who died unexpectedly yesterday.

In sadness and with affectionate reflection, we write today to share that Ari Frosch, a second-year Medical student, died suddenly last week at home with family in Newton, Massachusetts. Ari was 26 years old and had been on a leave of absence from his Medical studies.

We are saddened to share with you that Stephanie Marchesani, 30, a part-time master’s student in the School of Nursing, died suddenly Sunday in New Jersey. Since 2008, Stephanie had worked full-time as a registered nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). In 2014, she enrolled in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree in Nursing from Temple University.  We do not have information from the family about memorial services at this time, but we will share details once we have information.

We are deeply saddened to report that a Penn undergraduate student was struck and killed this morning by a SEPTA train at the 40th Street Station.   She was a bright, well-liked and successful member of our junior class.  We have been in contact with her family and have conveyed our deepest sympathies to them at this very sad and tragic time.  

January 10, 2012 Happy New Year and welcome back to Penn! As we embark on a new semester, I want to thank every member of the Penn community for continuing to distinguish this University as a place where individual passions fuel a collective purpose. Because of your commitment to collaboration, creativity, and innovation, 2011 was a year filled with noteworthy achievements. I know 2012 will continue this trend.

By any measure, the fall term at Penn has gotten off to a superb start (earthquake and Hurricane Irene notwithstanding!). Before I detail some of the historic gains we have made this year, I want to extend my thanks to all of you for the tireless effort that has helped establish a Penn degree as one of the most valued in the world.