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What’s That?

What’s That? Black squirrels
a black squirrel perched on a tree trunk

A black squirrel on College Green in the fall of 2024. 

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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.
What’s That? The Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Trophy in the office of football coach Ray Priore.

Image: Eric Sucar

What’s That? The Heisman Trophy

In the office of Ray Priore, head coach of the football team, rests the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college sports.
What’s That? Penny the Pig
Pig in inflatable costume on Locust Walk.

Sam Serruya, a peer educator for Financial Wellness @ Penn, appears on Locust Walk in September during a tabling session. 

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What’s That? Penny the Pig

Penny the Pig makes occasional appearances around Penn’s campus. Who is she?
What’s That? The Rittenhouse Orrery
John Pollack standing in front of Rittenhouse Orrery

Penn Libraries curator John Pollack with the Rittenhouse Orrery.

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What’s That? The Rittenhouse Orrery

The Rittenhouse Orrery is a nearly intact 18th-century mechanical model of the solar system, demonstrating the motions of the planets and their satellites around the sun, built by astronomer David Rittenhouse.
What’s That? The Paleontologist’s Cottage
A small hut in the middle of a clearing blanketed with bromeliads.

At the Paleontologist’s Cottage, tree ferns and bromeliads set the stage for Mesozoic botany. 

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What’s That? The Paleontologist’s Cottage

The Paleontologist’s Cottage at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens celebrates plants with ties to the age of dinosaurs.

Kristina García

What’s That? The Sweeten Alumni House carillon
Image of a carillon, with knobs and buttons. The screen notes that the machine is playing the Star Wars theme

The Sweeten Alumni House carillon, playing the Star Wars theme.

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What’s That? The Sweeten Alumni House carillon

The Sweeten Alumni House carillon is a computerized music system that chimes and plays songs for passersby along Locust Walk.

Kristina García

What’s That? Sun shades at the Vagelos Lab
Sun shades attached to building windows.

The sun shades on the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology.

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What’s That? Sun shades at the Vagelos Lab

The shades account for solar geometry to make for an eye-catching view from the east and west—all while reducing energy usage.
What’s That? ‘The Goat’ at Penn Carey Law.
Bronze statue of a goat is displayed in the lobby of Penn Carey Law School.

The bronze sculpture called “Hsieh-Chai,” also known as The Goat, at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Carey Law)

What’s That? ‘The Goat’ at Penn Carey Law.

The bronze sculpture called “Hsieh-Chai” has been Penn Carey Law’s mascot-in-chief since its dedication in 1962.

Kristen de Groot

What’s That? Fox-Fels Hall
Red brick exterior of Fox-Fels Hall on Penn campus, a Georgian style mansion with green shutters and white trim.

The exterior of Fox-Fels Hall on Walnut Street.

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What’s That? Fox-Fels Hall

‘The mansion’ is home to the Fels Institute of Government, Penn's graduate school for public policy and public management. 

Kristen de Groot