Maria Zankey

At the turn of the mid-century, Brooklyn-born Lila Gleitman was a professor’s wife with the benefit of enrolling in tuition-free courses at Penn. She had just wrapped up her undergraduate career at Antioch College, where she studied English literature—a domain Gleitman says she had considered to be “the pinnacle of human achievement.”

The 2014 Penn’s Way campaign, the University’s workplace charitable giving initiative, officially culminates on Friday, Nov. 15. But the clock hasn’t run out yet. There’s still time to pledge to Penn’s Way and make an immediate impact on some of the region’s most vulnerable populations.

What is the role of universities in shaping the neighborhoods that surround them?

The old saying “knowledge is power” rings especially true when it comes to health.

As a Mexican, Steven Cabrera says he’s very aware that many individuals who share his culture have a difficult time accessing health care in Philadelphia because of issues like immigration, poverty, or both.

When the Philadelphia School District opened its doors to students this fall, it did so with many vacant teachers’ desks and empty supply closets, even as classrooms were more crowded with students than ever.

Now in its 15th year, Penn’s Models of Excellence program has honored more than 600 notable staff members who reflect initiative, leadership, increased efficiency, and commitment to service.

Diane Sandefur entered the world of higher education as a nontraditional student. For the past 17 years at Penn, she has helped hundreds of fellow nontraditional students—veterans, in particular —receive their own acceptance letters from higher education institutions.

The Penn Museum’s collection of captivating lecture series aim to examine popular—and occasionally obscure—topics and explore them with academic expertise.

In June 2012, Penn opened its digital doors to students across the globe with the launch of the University’s Open Learning Initiative. A year later, there’s a lot to celebrate.