News Archives

Speakers agree society profits from nonprofit work

The great majority of Wharton School graduates go on to lucrative careers in private industry or financial services, where they spend their careers figuring out how to maximize profit for shareholders. More than 100 students jammed into a Steinberg-Dietrich Hall lecture room Oct. 2 to hear professionals from the private and nonprofit sectors, including four Wharton graduates, discuss how they maximize profit for society as a whole.

BOOKQUICK/New from the University Press

Covering the story of prejudice against Jews from the time of Christ through the rise of Nazi Germany, “The History of Anti-Semitism” presents a balanced, careful assessment of this egregious human failing that is nearly ubiquitous in the history of Europe. “From the Time of Christ to the Court Jews” systematically traces hatred against Jews as it developed from Roman times to the end of the 18th century. This volume demonstrates that organized anti-Semitism was unknown until the First Crusade.

Why is that plaque in 200 College Hall?

Illustration by Bo Brown Dear Benny, You recently mentioned “a tablet in 200 College Hall is dedicated to the ‘Sons of the University who died to uphold the laws of their country in the War of the Great Rebellion’” (a much better phrase than “the Civil War”) (“Ask Benny,” Current, Oct. 2).

Queen Noor speaks for the have-nots

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, the author of a best-selling autobiography, “Leap of Faith” (Hyperion), told a full house in Irvine Auditorium on September 8 that “the United Nations is one of the most powerful engines for co-operation in the world.” Her 30-minute talk took as its text the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals, an ambitious agenda endorsed by every member nation that aims to increase world security by 2015. “Security,” she said, “rests on the well-being of the less fortunate.”

Penn to Develop First Head Start Curriculum

PHILADELPHIA -- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education are developing a first-ever integrated curriculum for preschoolers in Head Start classrooms across the country.  It will encompass basic skills needed for reading and mathematics as well as both school- and social-readiness skills.The project will be the first effort by U.S. educators to help disadvantaged children overcome academic challenges that can plague them for their entire academic careers.

Dear Mr. Mayor...

A lot is riding on the outcome of the Nov. 4 mayoral election, and we’re not just talking about Mayor John Street’s job security. Will wage tax cuts continue? Can the streets be made safer? Will Center City’s recent success spread to the neighborhoods? For supporters of both Street and opponent Sam Katz, the answers depend on the person chosen as mayor. What should the next mayor—whoever he is—do to keep the city moving forward? We put that question to people in the Engineering School, where problem-solving is something they do in their sleep.

SimTeeth, real training

Dental students know that one of the integral parts of their training is sharpening psychomotor skills. Now, a new computerized teaching method helps future dentists become proficient at two times the rate of students taught with conventional methods. This success rate brings a smile to Judith Buchanan’s face.

Space-saving automobiles

Out and About: The moral of his story: Movies can teach

Can amoral Hollywood really provide moral instruction to those of us sitting in the dark? Robert Cort C’68,G’70,WG’74, the producer of 52 films, including “Three Men and a Baby” and the soon-to-be-released “Against the Ropes” starring Meg Ryan, not only thinks so, he’s written a novel, titled “Action” (Random House, 2003), that proves it. “We who make movies have a role and a responsibility,” he explained in a telephone interview. “Today, we are in a fallow creative period. We are not making movies that provide emotional substance.”

Campus Buzz

The media circus comes to campus: Campus early risers on Friday, Oct. 3, who made their way to College Green got to witness a bona fide Media Event—the live broadcast of “Fox & Friends,” the Fox News Channel’s morning show.