News Archives

No 'miracles' in the desert

Associate professor of political science Robert Vitalis says the Arabian American Oil Company wasn’t the progressive, benevolent organization that many believe.

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.

Pizza Rustica

By The Current Staff With a menu as tantalizing as Pizza Rustica’s, part of the fun is in the reading—and the anticipating. Sopressata, crème fraiche, capicola, pine nuts, caramelized onion … the flavors of Italy seem arrayed before you.

Ahead of the Current

Roger O’Donnell should be a familiar name to anyone with moody English ’80s and ’90s rock in their collection. As the former keyboard player for The Cure and Psychedelic Furs (performing on and co-writing the Cure albums, “Disintegration,” and “Wild Mood Swings,” among others), O’Donnell is now striking out on his own. His new album, “The Truth in Me” is entirely composed and recorded using the Moog Voyager keyboard—quite a feat considering the instrument isn’t exactly know for a warm, inviting sound.

University of Pennsylvania's Weiss Tech House Celebrates Innovation Week, Nov. 6-10

PHILADELPHIA - The Weiss Tech House at the University of Pennsylvania will present its first Innovation Week Nov. 6-10 featuring workshops on entrepreneurship, public outreach and a week-long $1,000 treasure hunt.  This student-led initiative will celebrate Penns history of innovation and encourage students from across the University to harness technological innovation for the greater good.

Going green, one block at a time

Cities take up only 2 percent of the space on our planet yet 50 percent of the world’s population live in them and they consume 75 percent of its resources. That, said Warren Karlenzig, is a problem. The research director for SustainLane, an information clearing house for all things green, was in town for Penn’s recent “Growing Greener Cities” symposium.

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

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