News Archives

Penn Professor Explores How Segregated Communities Shape Racial Attitudes in "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

PHILADELPHIA-  Camille Zubrinsky Charles, associate professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, examines how segregation shapes our attitudes about race in her new book, "Won't You Be My Neighbor? Race, Class and Residence in Los Angeles."

A letter to the University Community from President Gutmann

As many of you have heard or seen by now, there was a photograph from our annual Halloween party that has taken flight over the Internet. The photograph is embarrassing for the University and me alike. I posted a formal response on our website last week. However, I wanted to provide more context.  

Statement by President Amy Gutmann

Each year, the president hosts a Halloween party for Penn students.  More than 700 students attend. They all crowd around to have their picture taken with me in costume. This year, one student who had a toy gun in hand had his picture taken with me before it was obvious to me that he was dressed as a suicide bomber.  He posted the photo on a website and it was picked up on several other websites.

University of Pennsylvania Researcher Shows that DNA Gets Kinky Easily at the Nanoscale

PHILADELPHIA -- Scientists have answered a long-standing molecular stumper regarding DNA: How can parts of such a rigid molecule bend and coil without requiring large amounts of force?  According to a team of researchers from the United States and the Netherlands, led by a physicist from the University of Pennsylvania, DNA is much more flexible than previously believed when examined over extremely small lengths.

Do I have to retire when I turn 65?

Dear Benny,I am a Penn staffer approaching my 60th birthday and was recently asked by a friend whether Penn had a “mandatory” retirement age. I realized I didn’t know the answer. So tell me, when I turn 65, am I required to retire?—Not ready to retire

Staff Q&A: Jean-Marie Kneeley

As vice dean of external affairs for the School of Arts and Sciences, Jean-Marie Kneeley raises money for a living. This fall, her fundraising skills were tapped for a cause that’s even closer to her heart than Penn. On Oct. 8 she completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile walk in and around Philadelphia. Out of 3,400 walkers who registered for the three-day event, she was the top fundraiser. As of press time she had raised $24,080 for breast cancer research and awareness, with several recent and generous donations from SAS’s own Board of Overseers.

Rae of light

Ask chef Daniel Stern why he decided to build his new restaurant, Rae, out in West Philadelphia’s Cira Centre tower—rather than, for instance, Center City—and he’s quick to reply. “I really feel like Cira Centre is the center of town,” says Stern, 36, who previously served as executive chef at Le Bec Fin and, after opening Gayle in Queen Village last year, solidified his reputation as one of America’s top young chefs. “I think it’s a great location. The building is very exciting, and it’s really in the middle of everything.”

Mayor signs up Penn Praxis

Expert Comment on Electronic Voting Machine Concerns

Expert comment from the University of PennsylvaniaElectronic Voting Machine ConcernsNote for TV and radio: The University of Pennsylvania has a satelliteuplink facility with live-shot capability and an ISDN line.Nov. 2, 2006Expert:   Dr. Nathaniel Persily   Professor of Law and Political Science, University of Pennsylvania Law School Credentials:   Researched and written extensively about law and politics, election law, voting rights

Piling up

Fall has arrived here at Penn—which means somebody has to rake those tons of leaves now littering campus. Recently that job fell to Penn Facilities staffer Anthony Aguilar, who helped clean up near Van Pelt.   Photo credit: Mark Stehle