News Archives

University of Pennsylvania Museum Awarded Three-Year, $301,000 Grant from the National Science Foundation for Native American Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2004 - The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has been awarded a three year, $301,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support an innovative research experience for undergraduates: "Native Voices, Past and Present, Studies of Native American Collections at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology."

Joann Mitchell Named Vice President and Chief of Staff at University of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA  Joann Mitchell has been named vice president and chief of staff at the University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1.  Her appointment was announced today by Amy Gutmann, who becomes president of Penn July 1.Mitchell is currently vice provost for administration at Princeton University.  Prior to going to Princeton in 1993, she was director of affirmative action at Penn for seven years.

Penn History Professor Steven Hahn Wins Bancroft Prize

PHILADELPHIA -- Steven Hahn, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, has won the Bancroft Prize for 2004 for his book "A Nation Under Our Feet: Black Political Struggles in the Rural South From Slavery to the Great Migration."  One of the most coveted honors in the field of history, the Bancroft Prize is awarded annually by the Trustees of Columbia University to authors of exceptional books in the fields of American history, biography and diplomacy.  The 2004 awards recognize books published in 2003.

Penn's Graduate Program in Folklore Marks 40th Anniversary

WHO: University of Pennsylvania Center for Folklore and Ethnography, Graduate students in folklore and folklifeWHAT: "Gathering/Place: Folklore, Aesthetic Ecologies and the Public Domain" Conference and ReunionWHEN: Friday, April 2, noon-8 p.m., Saturday, April 3, 9 a.m.-9p.mWHERE:  Logan Hall on the University of Pennsylvania campus

Kids Are the Judges, Not Competitors, in March 26

WHAT:  "Penn Kids Judge! Fair," where kids will actually judge the projects of Penn undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate science students.  WHO: Some 140 schoolchildren from the Penn Alexander and Lea schools in West Philadelphia WHERE:  Penn School of MedicineWHEN:   9 a.m., Friday, March 26; the best interaction between the school students and the college students will most likely be after 10 a.m.

Surf the ’Net while soaking up rays

For those who use wireless technology to send e-mails or quickly check a fact on the Internet, the grass just got greener. That’s because over Spring Break, Penn’s wireless service provider, PennNet, expanded its wireless coverage to include College Green. In the coming months, it will continue to expand around campus. Service is now available in the Computing Resource Center, around the Franklin Building and in front of the Penn Bookstore, in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, the Graduate Student Center, Houston Hall and Penn Commons, and Hamilton, Harnwell and Hill College Houses.

Good sport

Although the Ivy League was established as a sports conference, its reputation today restsmore on academic than athletic prowess. Penn, however, is a slight exception to the rule.

News briefs

Pro Bono Singer/songwriter/social justice activist Bono will deliver the address at Penn’s 248th Commencement exercises May 17. The Irish musician, lead singer for the rock group U2, is also known for his work on behalf of causes such as AIDS, poverty and famine in Africa. In 2000, he co-founded the organization Debt AIDS Trade Africa to raise public awareness of three factors that stymie Africa’s development—crushing debt, the spread of AIDS and trade restrictions. Preston steps down

Staff Q&A: Helen Anderson

Since the Penn Models of Excellence program was introduced in 1999, hundreds of Penn staff members—250 to be exact—have been recognized for service above and beyond the call of duty.

At Work With...Bill Corsetti and Neal Fischer