Campus & Community

Two all-white birds on gray pavement, with blurred leaves in the foreground.

Rare sparrows make guest appearance at Penn

Earlier this year, Penn Medicine epidemiologist Doug Wiebe glimpsed two small all-white birds outside Van Pelt Library that turned out to be albino house sparrows. Their coloration is likely the result of a genetic condition in which a bird’s feathers lack pigment.

Michele W. Berger ・

Two teams face off at the Penn Ice Rink circa 1972.

Penn Ice Rink celebrates 50 years

The Class of 1923 Ice Skating Rink is celebrating a half-century of service to the Penn community. Penn Today reflects on the facility’s origins, and how it has grown and transformed over the years.

Greg Johnson ・



In the News


Philadelphia Inquirer

Testing, testing, and more testing on college campuses this spring as coronavirus concerns remain

Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé said Penn has budgeted $20 million for COVID-related safety measures, including testing. The University plans to conduct 40,000 saliva-based tests per week.

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The Washington Post

This man has given away 500 free pizzas. He lowers them from his apartment window

Wharton School graduate student Ben Berman has been raising money for local nonprofits by raffling off homemade pizzas. “This is something positive that I can do from my own apartment,” he said.

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USA Today

NCAA Division I Council delays vote on transfer rules and name, image and likeness

Athletics Director M. Grace Calhoun released a statement about the NCAA’s decision to delay voting on changes to Division I rules that would allow student athletes to profit off of their own names, images, and likenesses. “The Council remains fully committed to modernizing Division I rules in ways that benefit all student-athletes,” she said. “Unfortunately, external factors require this pause, and the Council will use this time to enhance the proposals.”

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The New York Times

The composer Tyshawn Sorey enters a new phase

Tyshawn Sorey of the School of Arts & Sciences was profiled for his accomplishments as a musician, composer, and academic.

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The Washington Post

NCAA grants blanket waiver to transfer athletes, most of whom can play right away

Athletic Director M. Grace Calhoun spoke about the NCAA’s Division I Council’s lenience amid the pandemic. “The Council continued its trend of voting in favor of maximum flexibility for student-athletes during the pandemic,” she said. “Allowing transfer student-athletes to compete immediately will provide additional opportunities to student-athletes during this continued difficult time and perhaps allow games to be played that otherwise might not have been.”

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