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Alumni
Penn Glee Club becomes fully gender inclusive after 159 years of all-male singers
The Penn Glee Club and Penn Sirens are merging, meaning that for the first time since its founding 159 years ago, the Glee Club will include singers of all genders and will perform repertoire for soprano and alto voices, in addition to tenor and bass, and for all four voice parts.
Alice Paul’s mysterious manuscript
Heather J. Sharkey and three students transcribed a hand-written manuscript of the doctoral dissertation by Alice Paul, who earned her Ph.D. from Penn in 1912. As part of a virtual symposium, they joined John Pollack of the Libraries to discuss their efforts.
Alumna Jessica Vaughn examines workplace space and culture in ICA solo exhibition
Artist and Weitzman School of Design alumna Jessica Vaughn examines the spaces and culture of the American workplace in her first major solo exhibition, now on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
By the Numbers: Penn in the NCAA Tournament (Women)
In celebration of the return of the NCAA Tournament after last year’s was canceled by COVID, Penn Today reflects on the Quakers’ appearances in the Big Dance.
By the Numbers: Penn in the NCAA Tournament (Men)
In the spirit and excitement of March Madness, Penn Today takes a look at the history of the Quakers in the NCAA Tournament.
Alumna, philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs to speak at Penn’s 265th Commencement
Powell Jobs will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2021 on Monday, May 17. The announcement was made by Vice President and University Secretary Medha Narvekar.
John Legend receives Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship 2021 Alumni Achievement Award
Legend, an undergraduate alumnus, was recently honored by Venture Lab, the University’s entrepreneurship center, during a virtual livestream event.
The first Black starting quarterback on Franklin Field
Marty Vaughn, a Class of 1975 alum, reflects on his college football career, where he led the Quakers to winning seasons in ’73 and ’74.
Sherisse Laud-Hammond reflects on transformative year as Penn Women’s Center director
In 2020, SP2 alum Sherisse Laud-Hammond was named the new director of the Penn Women’s Center, a position in which she is the first Black woman and woman of color to serve.
Penn announces five 2021 Thouron Scholars
Four seniors and a 2019 graduate have received a Thouron Award to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom. Each scholarship winner receives tuition for as long as two years, as well as travel and living stipends, to earn a graduate degree there.
In the News
A Penn doctoral student created a tool to measure the financial health of universities. Here’s how it works
While earning her doctorate at the Graduate School of Education, Julee Gard developed a financial viability index to assess the financial health of smaller and medium-sized, mostly tuition-dependent private colleges.
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What to know about fluoride in drinking water, and whether RFK Jr. could really have it removed
In the early 1900s, Penn alumnus Frederick Sumner McKay collected evidence that fluoride in water helped prevent tooth decay. Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine says that fluoridated water is a great safety net provision for adults who don’t see the dentist regularly or can’t afford to routinely buy toothpaste.
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Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Barack Obama team up on a spirit-raising rally for Harris
In Philadelphia for a political rally, alumnus and musician John Legend said his time at Penn were “some of the best years of my life.”
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Penn unveils statue of Bert Bell, the first owner of the Philadelphia Eagles
Penn alumnus and Philadelphia Eagles founder Bert Bell was honored with a statue and ceremony at Franklin Field.
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Penn baseball inspired by Yankees’ Jake Cousins, who will be the first Quaker since 1912 to play in a World Series
Alumnus Jake Cousins is pitching in the World Series for the New York Yankees, featuring remarks from Penn baseball coach John Yurkow and other Penn players.
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The 150 most influential people in Philly
Interim President J. Larry Jameson, Penn Medicine CEO Kevin Mahoney, Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine, and Olympic discus thrower and alumnus Sam Mattis are noted as some of the most influential people in Philadelphia.
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