News Archives

Student Spotlight with Melissa Cesarano

Penn Prof on March Madness: Can Losing Lead to Winning?

PHILADELPHIA -- Is your March Madness bracket filled out yet?   Imagine you’re watching a close game.  As the teams head to the locker room at half time, only two points separate the two competitors.  Which team do you think is more likely to win?  The team down by one or the team up by one? If you’re like most people, you said up by one.  But you’d actually be better off going with the team that is losing.  Teams down by one are more likely to win.  And the reason tells us a lot about the effects of competition on motivation.

For 30 years, this book group has lunched over literature

It all began with “Fanny,” by Erica Jong, the fictional diary of a free-thinking girl in 18th century England. That was the novel a small group of colleagues working at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center decided would kick off what they hoped would become a regular monthly meeting to discuss literature over lunch. That was back in 1982. Since then, this group of avid readers has met at noon on the third Tuesday of each month without fail.

Q&A with Nader Engheta

We live in a world of waves. The radio waves hitting your car’s antenna and the light coming in through its windshield, the X-rays that can detect a tumor, and the gamma radiation that can destroy it are all different facets of the same phenomenon: electromagnetism. As one of the fundamental forces of nature, its imprint can be felt on almost everything in the universe.

Sunshine law

Silfen Forum examines whether America is in decline

All members of the Penn community are invited to attend the David and Lyn Silfen University Forum on Monday, March 19, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium, where Penn President Amy Gutmann will host an esteemed panel of political experts who will discuss the question: "Is America Broken?"

Tapping the history of Philly’s trees

The Woodlands, a 54-acre historic site and cemetery in University City, is the final resting place for many prominent Philadelphians. Paul Philippe Cret, the architect, planner, and former professor in what was then called Penn’s School of Fine Arts is buried there. So are several members of the Drexel family (yes, that Drexel), and renowned American painter Thomas Eakins. But they’re not the only famous residents located at the historic West Philadelphia site.

Retirement and financial planning offered by Penn

Dear Benny:When it comes to finances, I’m always looking for assistance to get me on the right track. I know I need to learn how to manage my money better, but I’m at a loss. I don’t know how much money I should be setting aside, or how much money I’ll need to retire comfortably. What kind of financial planning is available to Penn employees? —Smart SaverDear Saver:

Justice for all

Free trees