Alumni

The English major’s cheerleader and champion

Bestselling author Jennifer Egan taught an undergraduate literature course in the spring as an English Department artist in residence in the School of Arts & Sciences. A 1985 Penn graduate, she is a passionate advocate for the English major, the humanities, and a liberal arts education.

Louisa Shepard

Penn alum named 2024 Yenching Scholar

Chonnipha (Jing Jing) Piriyalertsak, a 2023 graduate, has been selected as a 2024 Yenching Scholar, with full funding to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China studies at the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing.

Louisa Shepard



In the News


The New York Times

For Nia Akins, U.S. 800-meter Olympian, music was the path to confidence in track

Recent Penn grad and 2024 Paris Olympian Nia Akins is profiled for drawing connections between musical performance and running track and field.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn grad Nia Akins is about to release her first album. But first: Compete in the 800 meters at the Olympics

Penn graduate Nia Akins is running the 800 meters at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, with remarks from Penn coach Steve Dolan.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn’s Isabella Whittaker and sister Juliette are living out a childhood dream of being Olympians

Recent Penn graduate Isabella Whitaker and her sister Juliette are running for the U.S. track and field team in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Runner’s World

They shared a bedroom growing up. Now, the Whittaker sisters are Olympic Village roommates

Recent Penn grad Isabella Whittaker and her sister Juliette are supporting each other as runners at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

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San Diego Union Tribune

When 3 years of training came down to 2 minutes of running, Nia Akins was ready. Now the Rancho Bernardo High graduate is headed to the Olympics

School of Nursing graduate Nia Akins has become America’s top hope for an Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter run.

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NBC Philadelphia

Athletes with Philly-area, NJ ties in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials

Penn graduates Nia Akins and Marc Michello have qualified for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

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