2.19
Campus & Community
On ENIAC’s anniversary, a nod to its female ‘computers’
Six women were the original operators of Penn’s pathbreaking ENIAC, the world’s first computer. On ENIAC Day, you can see a documentary featuring some of their stories that were originally obscured from history.
Pint-size philosophers
By engaging with Philadelphia elementary students and high school teachers, Penn professor Karen Detlefsen is opening young minds to a new kind of philosophical thinking.
Testing finds signs of African-American burial ground beneath Chestnut Street property
Portions of the cemetery, dating to the 19th century, may still lie beneath land owned by Penn. University officials are working with the community to decide what’s next.
Celebrating Chinese culture
The Penn Lions student dance troupe aims to spread good luck and good fortune around the Lunar New Year.
And the Oscar goes to…a Penn sophomore?
Claire Sliney is a co-executive producer of one of five films nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary Short Subject category. “Period. End of Sentence.” explores the stigma of menstruation for girls in India and Sliney’s work to address the issue.
Five events to watch for in February
Happening around campus and beyond this February: the annual Lunar New Year celebration at International House, a thought-provoking new speaker series on the future of religion, and an innovative story slam by nurses.
The Knight Commission calls to rebuild trust in democracy with transparency, responsibility
Penn President Amy Gutmann joined 26 other national leaders to consider why the age of Facebook and “fake news” has pushed faith in government and the media to historic low, and how to mend the rift.
Students volunteer in the nation’s capital
As part of Civic House’s Alternative Winter Break, 10 students lived at a service-learning hostel and worked with the community lending a hand.
AD Calhoun named chair of NCAA Division I Council
M. Grace Calhoun, director of athletics and recreation at Penn, has been named the incoming chair of the NCAA Division I Council, a high-level group responsible for the day-to-day decision-making for Division I.
How gospel music gave birth to rock and soul
Capping a 16-month project funded by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, WXPN will debut a four-part radio documentary on Feb. 4, sharing the stories of the early beginnings and influence of gospel music.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn Libraries and venerable Philadelphia Athenaeum form bookish alliance
The Libraries have entered a partnership with the Athenaeum, Philadelphia’s last remaining subscription library. “Our new library partnership with the Athenaeum of Philadelphia makes easily accessible the Athenaeum’s unmatched collection of historic architectural publications and other documentation for the study of this rich legacy,” said David Brownlee, a School of Arts and Sciences professor and an Athenaeum board member. Jon Shaw and Constantia Constantinou were also quoted.
FULL STORY →
Forbes
Love and college admission
In an article comparing college acceptances to valentines, Dean Eric J. Furda of Admissions said “the concept of the ‘ideal partner’ may not have a place in the college search process, lest we set ourselves up for disappointment and denial.” However, he said, “in the end, I do believe the vast majority of students find their true love; it just may come from previously unexpected places and takes an open-minded person.”
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
Running club chases down theft suspect in University City
The Annenberg (Lunchtime) Running Club was lauded for its role in capturing a man accused of theft during one of their triweekly outings. “Running is typically a useless sport where you turn fat cells into heat, but occasionally it can be useful, and here was one of those opportunities,” said founding member Kyle Cassidy.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn president Amy Gutmann helped prepare report on restoring faith in the media
President Amy Gutmann contributed to the Knight Foundation’s report on the state of diversity, transparency, and public faith in the media. “We call on and depend upon media for speaking across multiple perspectives,” Gutmann said. “You can only do that if you have a newsroom where there is that kind of diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.”
FULL STORY →
WHYY (Philadelphia)
Hive mind: What’s in these Ed Bacon photos?
Hannah Bennett of the Libraries spoke about an unlabeled trove of photographs donated to Penn by urban planner Ed Bacon before his death in 2005. The photos are now being posted to Flickr to solicit public help identifying the locations depicted. “You don’t have to be a Bacon scholar – or a Bacon enthusiast – to enjoy these pictures,” said Bennett.
FULL STORY →