West Philadelphia | Penn Today

Weitzman and Netter Center to tackle urban heat in West Philadelphia

A collaboration between the Thermal Architecture Lab at Penn’s Weitzman School of Design, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, and the Annenberg School has been awarded an Environmental Protection Agency Thriving Communities Grant for $137,000 to work with William L. Sayre High School, a University-Assisted Community School, on measurement of urban heat and solution design.

FY24 Economic Impact Report shows Penn helps drive $37 billion through the region’s economy

The University, Philadelphia’s largest private employer, generates economic development across the city, Commonwealth, and region.

3 min. read

New campus choir finds harmony

The new Penn Staff & Community Choir, formed by Penn’s Office of Social Equity and Community in the fall, will have its debut mini-concert on Feb. 4, led by director Ruth Naomi Floyd.

Weitzman’s Jules Dingle on social and environmental sustainability

The Philadelphia architect and professor of practice in historic preservation joined the Weitzman School in the fall.

a black squirrel perched on a tree trunk

What’s That? Black squirrels

Penn Today spoke to Sarah Tomke in the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Futures Program about the black squirrels regularly seen on College Green. They are black because of a genetic mutation in the melanin receptor protein, which regulates pigment.

The Philly Eagles mascot pushing the Penn Quaker mascot in a Move-In cart on Penn’s campus.

A look back at 2024 through Penn Today stories

Revisit some of the stories that highlighted the events, breakthroughs, people, and research across the University this year.

Members of Penn’s African Health Clinic.

Care across cultures: Penn Medicine African Health Clinic

For the last two years, the Perelman School of Medicine has partnered with the African Family Health Organization to offer weekly family-medicine/primary care clinics for recent immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean.

Jovian Patterson looks at some raspberry bushes growing in a community garden.

‘Deeply Rooted’ community partnerships

Deeply Rooted is a community partnership that plants trees, greens vacant lots, and funds grassroots programs. The goal: health justice in action.

West Philadelphia students cheer on Penn Women's Basketball, waving pompoms

‘Dance checks every box’ with the Quaker Girls Dance Team

The Quaker Girls Dance Team partners with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships to mentor West Philadelphia dance and cheer teams.

WHYY (Philadelphia)

Free West Philly community clinic, which provided care to hundreds, is closed

Penn Medicine resident Noor Shaik and Michael Rubenstein of the Perelman School of Medicine discuss a West Philadelphia clinic that became a model for collaborations between academic health systems and community organizations.

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