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Alumni
The first Black starting quarterback on Franklin Field
Marty Vaughn, a Class of 1975 alum, reflects on his college football career, where he led the Quakers to winning seasons in ’73 and ’74.
Penn announces five 2021 Thouron Scholars
Four seniors and a 2019 graduate have received a Thouron Award to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom. Each scholarship winner receives tuition for as long as two years, as well as travel and living stipends, to earn a graduate degree there.
Sherisse Laud-Hammond reflects on transformative year as Penn Women’s Center director
In 2020, SP2 alum Sherisse Laud-Hammond was named the new director of the Penn Women’s Center, a position in which she is the first Black woman and woman of color to serve.
The joy and power of improvisation
With The Unscripted Project, President’s Engagement Prize winners Philip Chen and Meera Menon create an improv curriculum and bring teaching artists to Philadelphia public school students.
The unbridled brilliance of Julian Abele
The 1902 graduate of the architecture program is finally starting to receive credit for his vast and iconic portfolio, which includes the central branch of the Free Library, Penn’s President’s House, Harvard’s flagship library, and more than 30 spaces and places on Duke’s campus.
Honoring the life and legacy of a trailblazing civil rights activist
Penn Law is paying tribute to the legacy of Sadie T.M. Alexander, the first Black woman to graduate from the Law School, by launching three new full tuition scholarships created in her honor.
2015 graduate Joyce Kim awarded Gates Cambridge Scholarship
As Penn’s 32nd Gates Scholar since the program started in 2001, Kim will pursue a Ph.D. in sociology of education at the University of Cambridge.
Penn alum Kevin Stefanski named NFL Coach of the Year
The 2004 alumnus guided the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs in his first year as head coach, and their first playoff win in more than a quarter century.
Justin Watson wins Super Bowl with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2018 alumnus Justin Watson won the Super Bowl on Sunday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining 1999 alumnus Jim Finn as the only former Penn football players with Super Bowl Rings.
Penn Athletics to celebrate 100 years of women’s sports
Starting this month, Penn Athletics will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the official start of women’s athletics at the University. This will include content on their website and social media accounts.
In the News
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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She graduated from Penn in 2023. Now, she’s the Quakers’ director of football operations
Jordyn Hall is Penn’s director of football operations, a role she’s had since last spring when she was a fourth-year student.
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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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Herniated discs could be repaired with biologic patch one day, researchers say
Preclinical research by Robert Mauck of the Perelman School of Medicine, Thomas Schaer of the School of Veterinary Medicine, and Ana Peredo, a Ph.D. graduate of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, reveals how a biologic patch activated by natural motion could become a key tool for repairing herniated discs in the back and relieving pain.
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Penn alum looks to raise $750K, tap into AI to scale social impact investing analytics platform
Penn alum Catherine Griffin has created ImpactableX, an analytics platform to help social impact startups quantify their impact.
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Penn alums changing grocery game for Philadelphians in food deserts with Community Grocer program
Penn alums Alex Imbot and Eli Moraru have co-founded the Community Grocer to supply grab-and-go meal kits and hot, fresh meals for Philadelphia residents.
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