6.22
Campus & Community
A tribute to the extraordinary Class of 2020
A tribute to the extraordinary Class of 2020
As in-person festivities have been postponed, Penn live-streamed its “first” 264th Commencement for graduates and their families across the city, nation, and world.
Connecting communities impacted by COVID-19
Connecting communities impacted by COVID-19
Three Penn seniors combine their desire to help with their unique skill sets to create Corona Connects, an online platform that connects volunteers with organizations in need of support.
Class of 2020: By the numbers
Class of 2020: By the numbers
In honor of the graduating Class of 2020, a roundup of facts and figures about the departing class.
Alumni Weekend moves virtual, for now
Alumni Weekend moves virtual, for now
To keep connected while staying apart, Penn alumni are invited to tune into online programming Saturday, May 16.
Celebrating alma maters: 125 years of ‘The Red and Blue’ and ‘Hail, Pennsylvania!’
Celebrating alma maters: 125 years of ‘The Red and Blue’ and ‘Hail, Pennsylvania!’
President Amy Gutmann says singing along to “The Red and Blue,” composed 125 years ago, is the “most cherished” and “best known” tradition in song at Penn. The official alma mater, “Hail, Pennsylvania!” was also written in 1895. (Video)
A ‘first’ Commencement like no other
A ‘first’ Commencement like no other
As the pandemic moves an in-person Commencement ceremony to a future date and time, a special live online University-wide celebration on Monday, May 18, will offer up a salute to graduates, the conferral of degrees, and some surprises.
‘United by a common good’
‘United by a common good’
In a video message to the Penn community, President Amy Gutmann discusses the three R’s—resourcefulness, resilience, and responsiveness—which are guiding the University through such trying times.
Penn Libraries expands digital collections, online platforms, and expert support
Penn Libraries expands digital collections, online platforms, and expert support
To support the Penn community while working remotely, the Penn Libraries purchased 35,000 e-books, negotiated access to other digital collections, increased video streaming access, and tripled the number of librarians available to answer questions.
Cassandra Adams helps students navigate the health system in a crisis
Cassandra Adams helps students navigate the health system in a crisis
As part of the Essential Staff Profiles series, Cassandra Adams’ work as a medical receptionist with Student Health Services is a critical service that helps keep students safe navigating their medical needs.
Celebrate the arts, history, and nature from home
Celebrate the arts, history, and nature from home
While Penn’s arts and culture centers remain closed, they are still finding ways to sustain connections through online collections and programs.
In the News
KYW Newsradio (Philadelphia)
The new volleyball coach can't step foot on campus yet: College sports during COVID-19
Meredith Schamun, the newly hired head women’s volleyball coach, was interviewed about coaching during the pandemic.
FULL STORY →
The Washington Post
The Health 202: The race for a coronavirus vaccine isn't slowing, even as Trump undermines Fauci
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel tweeted in support of Anthony Fauci, calling him “a consummate professional whose advice has been sought out and respected by presidents of both parties. These attacks on him are disgusting and say more about those leveling them than about Dr. Fauci.”
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
Trump administration agrees to end policy that could have led to mass deportation of students from U.S. colleges
President Amy Gutmann said she was pleased with the rescinded directive to ban international students taking exclusively online classes at U.S. universities this fall. “We are unrelenting in our commitment to continue fighting for our international students to ensure that they are treated as equal members of our educational community,” she said. “Today we can celebrate an important step forward in that effort.”
FULL STORY →
Forbes
Here’s why seven Ivy League schools are backing Harvard and MIT’s bid to overturn Trump’s ban on international students
The University of Pennsylvania has joined other colleges and universities in filing an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit filed by Harvard and MIT. The lawsuit seeks to block the Trump administration’s proposal to revoke F-1 and M-1 visas from international students not taking in-person classes this fall.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
Ivy League won’t have any fall semester sports
Athletics Director M. Grace Calhoun, who also serves as chair of the Ivy League’s committee on administration, commented on the League’s recently announced policies for fall semester sports. “The only way this really works is if everyone works together,” she said.
FULL STORY →