News Archives

Another inauguration for President Clinton

Starting off a new Penn School of Arts and Sciences forum with a bang, President Bill Clinton addressed invited guests at Irvine Auditorium Feb. 24. Outside, a few demonstrators protested U.S. policies toward Iraq and China. However, the audience at the Granoff Forum, which will explore topics of international development and the global economy, greeted the president warmly. University President Judith Rodin, Philadelphia Mayor John Street and Penn alumnus Michael Granoff (C’80), for whom the forum is named, shared the stage with Clinton.

Activism 1, apathy 0

University President Judith Rodin reached an agreement with Penn Students Against Sweatshops (PSAS) Feb. 14, after the group staged a eight-day sit-in outside Rodin’s office. PSAS was protesting Penn’s membership in the Fair Labor Association (FLA), which monitors factories for sweatshop conditions. To make sure that clothing with the Penn logo is not produced with sweatshop labor, PSAS members want Penn to enroll in another monitoring group, Worker Rights Consortium, which, unlike the FLA, does not include members of the apparel industry.

Signs of spring

Standout speakers

It’s about time for Penn’s Commencement planners to pick a speaker for the annual May ceremony. We thought we’d help the process along by asking this year’s graduates who they think would make a great Commencement speaker. While there’s no clear consensus choice, it appears that many students admire political leaders. And there are a few key qualities the students are looking for — chief among them the ability to deliver an entertaining speech.

King of hearts

The front room of the Kelly Writers House is set up like a nightclub — candles on little tables, dimly lit. A disembodied voice announces, “The man, the mystery, Jonathan London is here for you.” That’s not all that’s here for you. London (C’01) bounds up to the front. “For those of you who didn’t have a nice Valentine’s Day, this show is for you.” Turns out at the end, it’s also for his girlfriend. But more about that later. About 40 people stay for an hour-and-a-half comic monologue about Jonathan London’s love life. They laugh. They cry.

New Leadership Team Named for The University of Pennsylvania Health System

PHILADELPHIA --- A new leadership team has been named for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, according to an announcement today (Feb. 17) by University President Judith Rodin. She said that Peter G. Traber, M.D., chair of the department of medicine, has agreed to become the interim dean of the School of Medicine and CEO of the Medical Center and the Health System until "...we undertake a thorough, formal search for permanent leadership."

Robert Barchi

Robert Barchi, M.D., Ph.D., hadn’t expected to hit the ground running when he became provost of the University one year ago this month. But that’s what happened when the issue of alcohol abuse on campus was thrust into his lap in the wake of the death of a Penn alumnus at a fraternity party.

Gene therapy sparks sharp exchange

In what turned into a highly emotional debate involving audience members as well as scheduled speakers, the Penn Humanities Forum hosted Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., director of Penn’s Center for Bioethics, and Stephen Eck, M.D., Ph.D., of the Institute for Human Gene Therapy (IHGT) Feb. 8.

The lion king

Harry Leong held his head high during the finale to the Chinese New Year Celebration in the University of Pennyslvania Museum’s Harrison Auditorium Feb. 5. Besides the traditional Lion Dance, the day offered other dance and music performances, a talk about feng shui and demonstrations of Chinese arts, crafts and various martial arts. Photo by Michael Branscom

Community Housing offers advice

Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home or moving up to something better, the Office of Community Housing can make the process easier. OCH will be offering workshops on the following topics over the next six weeks. The workshops are free, but advance registration is required. To register, use the on-line form at the OCH Web site, www.upenn.edu/EVP/communityhousing/events.html. For more information about these workshops, call Bernadette Ramsey, outreach coordinator, at 215-573-9725.