Tina Rodia

Many in-person traditions returned to campus this year after a lengthy hiatus, including classes, but Penn’s output of research, innovation, and growth never slowed throughout the year.

The first in-person celebration for rising juniors in two years was not dampened by the rain, as the Class Board of 2024 honored one of Penn’s most resilient student class.

The annual event on March 23 was part of the Penn MLK Commemorative Symposium on Social Change.

Ph.D. student Alice Sukhina watched on their computer at Penn as their hometown of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, was invaded by Russian troops. While their parents were able to leave Ukraine, the rest of their family remains; Sukhina has been working nonstop to provide aid from afar.

Fall on Penn’s campus, as ever, is awash in a majestic spread of gold, red, and orange. The beauty highlights the necessity of mitigating climate change, which could lead to less stunning foliar color.

Wharton’s Americus Reed and Abraham J. Wyner explain how athletes’ endorsement contracts might be more relevant than their sports performance, and how all are at stake when allegations of misconduct arise.

The Penn chapter of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health works to expand students’ engagement in Reproductive justice.

Penn’s LGBT Center hosted “Dance Outside w/ Pride,” a virtual and in-person dance class with Philadelphia choreographer Devon Sinclair, as part of its monthlong Pride roster of events for both virtual and in-person celebrations.

A challenging yet successful year—Penn’s exceptional community of dedicated students, faculty, and staff overcame the world’s most significant obstacles to flourish, from outreach locally through volunteerism, to helping the world globally with mRNA technology. The 2021 academic year highlighted the best of Penn.

A return to the next normal post-pandemic may trigger anxiety for people anticipating a more public-facing life after a year of isolation.