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A life of books
Books define the life of Peter Stallybrass, an English professor who has retired after 30 years at Penn, known for his History of Material Texts workshop. He explains the five seminal books of his storied academic career.
48 years ago: PennDesign Dean Frederick Steiner on Earth Day
The dean of the School of Design discusses his inspiration for the original environmental awareness event, and its surprising endurance.
Revealing Penn Museum’s Middle East treasures
Objects that trace the path of human history—from the era of hunting and gathering to the creation of cities—are on display in the Museum’s new Middle East Galleries.
Musical magic
For 45 years, Penn Choral Director William Parberry has conducted thousands of Penn singers through hundreds of music scores, resulting in more than 270 concerts by his three ensembles. The University Choral Society’s performance on April 20, featuring Handel’s Messiah, will be his last before retirement.
Astronomical find
Penn Libraries has acquired a rare astronomical treatise dated 1481, with unique diagrams in the margins, and original discs of parchment that turn to demonstrate the movement of the sun, moon, and planets.
Film stars
The Penn Student Film Festival celebrated collaboration and creativity with a red-carpet gala and big-screen showing of eight finalists, chosen from 24 entries, at the New College House.
A medieval confluence
Three newly-hired Penn assistant professors, all transplants to Philadelphia, found each other soon after they arrived and discovered that, although they were in different areas of study, they all focused on the Middle Ages, specifically 13th-century France.
Lauding a transformative scholar
Chosen for her expertise in Southern and African-American literature, author and poet Thadious Davis was one of the first professors recruited by Penn President Amy Gutmann. Davis was honored at a reception and a symposium which focused on her work exploring race, region, and gender.
Support and collaboration between U.S. and Mexico crucial for success
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about global and national issues during the inaugural Penn Biden Global Leaders Dialogue.
Art historian finds meaning in mid-century model kitchens
Homes and the objects that fill them fascinate Juliana Rowan Barton, a doctoral student in the History of Art Department at Penn.