'Penn in Washington' program brings students together

WASHINGTON -- You can take it with you. And more than 130 University students and recent alumni who live or have internships in Washington, D.C. for the summer are doing just that. The "Penn in Washington" program -- a University-sponsored series of events and speakers which runs through the end of July -- gives students the opportunity to stay involved with University activities even when regular classes are not in session. "Penn is trying to give a sense of community for all of the students who are down here," said College senior Roberta Griff, the student coordinator for the program. "And it allows everybody to experience all aspects of the culture -- political, media and social." Career Planning and Placement Services Assistant Director David Grossman said the program -- which has been in operation for 12 years -- was originally developed "in recognition of the fact that there are so many Penn interns in Washington over the summer." This summer's program -- which is directed and funded by CPPS with the help of Grossman -- includes frequent lectures by various Washington figures, weekly happy hours and softball games with other colleges and universities, and other trips and events. Already this summer, students have attended speeches by Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, former Washington Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee and Post Style section Editor Mary Hadar, and Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.). Griff said that while the scheduled events have been well-received by the participants, it is often hard for students to take time out of their schedules to attend activities. Therefore, she has tried to schedule events in the morning or late afternoon, accommodating regular work hours. "It's really hard to compete for people's time in Washington," she said. "There's so much going on and a lot of people have met a whole new group of people here, so we need to make it especially attractive to lure people in." Most students who have attended "Penn in Washington" events have found them to be both informative and enjoyable. "I think it's really neat, especially for someone from out of town," said College junior Beth Ferreira. "It's good to see other people -- I've even seen people that I went to high school with -- and I had no idea that some people were down here." Wharton senior Lee Snyder agreed. "There's obviously a great Penn community here," she said. "[The activities] have definitely fulfilled my expectations." The speaker schedule for the remainder of the summer includes lectures and discussions with Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, David Gergen, counselor to President Bill Clinton, and Bob Ritter, editor of Gannett News Service's Washington bureau. Additional speakers will include Representative Marjorie Margolis- Mezvinsky (D-Pa.) and former University President Sheldon Hackney, now chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Griff said that although the program is small compared to other universities' programs, about 10 new people sign up each week and that more than 180 total participants are expected by the end of the summer. Griff has also published a "Penn in Washington" newsletter, which includes information about Washington events, from reduced-price theatre and movie tickets to free concerts. In addition, she hopes to organize a tubing trip to Virginia in mid-July. "She's doing a great job," Ferreira said of Griff. "And she's really sensitive -- since a lot of us are under 21 -- about making club things 18 and over." Griff said she wants students to bring their "Penn in Washington" experiences back to the University. "[You can] meet people you wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet and get a little more interested in speakers that come to campus," she said. "I want people to really feel like they've made a connection here that will last on to campus."