News Archives

Has Bill Cosby lost his mind?  

TALK/Michael Eric Dyson takes on Bill Cosby's criticism of poor blacks. Last year, at an NAACP event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, Bill Cosby castigated the black poor for their buying habits, lack of education, style of speech and dress—and even their names. “Lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not parenting,” Cosby said in his now-famous speech. “They are buying things for kids—$500 sneakers for what? And won’t spend $200 for ‘Hooked on Phonics.’”

An 'opera of ideas' takes shape

Like any poet, Charles Bernstein chooses his words carefully. And in the 20 plus volumes of poetry he’s published, as well as in frequent readings over the years, the Regan Professor of English has presented those words in a clear, direct fashion, exercising artistic control over both the message and the medium.

At Work With...Paul Haraf

Staff Q&A: Bob Seddon

In his 34 years at Penn, Bob Seddon says he never felt as though he actually had a job. He never woke on a Monday morning and grumbled. He never watched the clock. And if it hadn’t been for his family and the dinner waiting for him at home, he says, he might have never left the office at night. “I couldn’t wait to get to work,” Seddon says. “I wouldn’t even eat breakfast some days—I’d just grab something and run out of the house. I had to get into the office.”

Capital campaign planned  

After just a few months on the job, John Zeller is ready to tackle his first major challenge at Penn: A new capital campaign that could help shape the future of the University.

Research roundup  

Charles Bernstein’s collaboration on “Shadowtime” got us thinking about other international projects Penn faculty are involved in this summer. Here’s a sampling of what some of them are up to: Vicki Mahaffey, professor of English, is in London, editing a book of essays on James Joyce’s “Dubliners,” and working at the British Library to complete a book, “Challenging Fictions: An Introduction to Literary Modernism, 1890-1940.”

Ask Benny: Tell me, is this public art or something else?

Dear Benny, What are the two structures outside of the Facilities building (at 3160 Chestnut St.) near the field? One looks like some sort of a tennis referee stand and the other is a recent concrete addition that looks like an inverted “L.”— Not Sure What I’m Looking At

Toy story

Charles and Ray Eames are best known for the high-quality, low-cost furniture and architecture that made them two of the most important designers of the 20th century. But they were also groundbreaking filmmakers and toy designers who found beauty in the everyday. The exhibit “Whimsical Works,” which opens at the Arthur Ross Gallery on July 22, is devoted to their lesser-known passion for play things.

Mayors: Cooperation key to civic success  

If it’s true that all politics is local, then urban mayors are among the most powerful politicians in the country.

News briefs

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