Scholarship winners recognized

Thirty-two Mayor's Scholarship Awards were presented at City Hall Friday by Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell and University President Judith Rodin. This is the second straight year students were awarded a scholarship package that includes no student loan obligations, according to Phyllis Holtzman, spokesperson for the University. The scholarship package totaled more than $18,800. In his speech to the group, Rendell told the students they should feel very proud of their accomplishments. And, he emphasized the city's positive relationship with the University. "The City and Penn have a great working relationship," Rendell said. "Although in the future we have a few problems to work out." Rodin echoed some of the same sentiments in her speech to the scholarship recipients. She added that as a native Philadelphian and a University graduate, the scholarship has great meaning for her. "I won a scholarship and went to Penn and now I'm the President," Rodin said. Financial Aid Director William Schilling said students selected for the scholarship are chosen by a city committee on the basis of need. He added that the University has no say in selecting students. The 32 Mayor's Scholars are joined by 79 other Philadelphia freshman attending the University this year. Recipients of the scholarship said they are happy to receive the award. College freshman Meagan Hinchey of Northeast Philadelphia said she might not have been able to attend the University without the scholarship. "I was shocked when I got the letter because I wasn't sure if I was going to get in," Hinchey said. "It made it easier on my family. I might not have been able to come here without it." College freshman Karlene O'Hara of Germantown said she is also very grateful for the scholarship and feels a need to reciprocate. "I was happy because it was very helpful," O'Hara said. "[And] it would be nice to give back to the city once you leave." A dispute over a Mayor's Scholarship agreement between the city and the University has been in litigation for the last three years. According to the agreement, a set number of scholarships would be awarded to Philadelphia residents in exchange for rent-free land from the city. The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia sued the University, claiming that the agreement provided for 125 scholarships per year, for a total of 500 -- not 125 total as the University contends. A judge ruled in favor of the University in February 1993, but also stated that the University must provide complete support for scholarship recipients, which does not include loans. PILCOP appealed the judge's ruling and refiled the complaint. According to PILCOP's attorney, Thomas Gilhool, the suit will have an "unprecedented" third re-argument in Commonwealth Court on October 5th. "It shows that the court is very interested in the case," Gilhool said. "It's not finding it easy to uphold the trial court's decision at the least."