News Archives

Gelles named School of Social Work dean

School of Social Work Professor Richard J. Gelles, who is known internationally for his work in domestic violence and child welfare, has been named dean of the School. The holder of the Joanne and Raymond Welsh Chair of Child Welfare and Family Violence, Gelles has been serving as interim dean since Fall 2001.

Franklin Medals for two Penn scientists

Two Penn scholars have been named 2003 recipients of the Benjamin Franklin Medal, one of the world’s oldest science and technology awards. Professor of Chemistry Robin M. Hochstrasser and Research Professor of Physics Raymond Davis Jr. are among 10 American scientists being honored by The Franklin Institute for their work in aviation, chemistry, civil engineering, computers and cognitive science, earth sciences, electrical engineering, life sciences and physics.

Eakins horsed around with Penn prof

Illustration by Bo Brown Dear Benny, When I was in the Towne Building recently, I noticed a portrait of Fairman Rogers. Is this the same guy immortalized in the Thomas Eakins painting “The Fairman Rogers Four-in-Hand”? The dates (and, of course, names and locale) seem plausible.—Art History Geek

Fore!

New Design Renders Passenger Trains Handicapped-Accessible, Compatible with Freight Trains and Roomier

PHILADELPHIA – As the deadline for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act draws closer, the commuter and passenger trains used in large swaths of the United States remain inaccessible to passengers in wheelchairs. Meanwhile, the elevated platforms many regional rail systems have erected to address this problem have created another, forcing bulky freight shipments off the rails and onto some of the busiest roadways in the nation.

PENNSmiles Van To Deliver Dental Care to West Philadelphia Schoolchildren

PHILADELPHIA – Adorned on the outside with children's smiling faces, the PENNSmiles van is designed on the inside to bring dental-care services to schoolchildren whose smiles might not be so healthy.

Summer Reading for Children

A University of Pennsylvania expert on children's literature offers guidance for parents on authors whose works are ideal for youngsters Lawrence Sipe, an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, is an expert in children's literature. "Research supports the theory that the single most important predictor of future school success is having parents who read aloud to their kids at an early age." he says. (Professor Sipe is available for interviews.)

Hundreds of Highly Branched Molecules Unite in a Giant Self-Assembled Liquid Crystal Lattice

PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA – A new liquid crystal lattice created by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Sheffield may be invisible to the naked eye, but it's a giant in its own way.Uniting hundreds of thousands of atoms, this supramolecular structure is one of the most complex ever made via self-assembly, where molecules organize themselves into larger structures. What's more, it's the first organic compound to assume an intricate structure previously seen only in metals such as uranium and various metal alloys.

High School Students Say They Need More Current-Events Study

PHILADELPHIA – High school students engaged in a national civics project say that they don't have enough information on the impending war with Iraq to come to a consensus. As a result, students have called for more integration of current events into their studies.The lack of discussion about current events is just one of the concerns mentioned as part of a youth-engagement initiative overseen by the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania involving 13,000 students from 20 high schools in the Philadelphia area.

Richard J. Gelles Named Dean of School of Social Work at University of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – Richard J. Gelles, an internationally known expert in domestic violence and child welfare and professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, has been named dean of the School, Penn President Judith Rodin announced today. Gelles has been serving as interim dean since September 2001.