Wharton course goes beyond the classroom

In addition to studying supply and demand curves and profit margins, Wharton School freshmen are teaching homeless men to read and volunteering to spend time with disabled children -- while learning management skills at the same time. As part of Management 100, a required course for all Wharton freshmen, students are organizing and participating in 48 projects designed to teach effective leadership techniques through working in groups, according to Wharton Undergraduate Vice Dean Richard Herring. Herring said the course has benefited immensely from a complete curriculum overhaul for this year. Last year, it was known as Wharton 101 and its emphasis was slightly unclear, he said. Now it aims to instill leadership skills, according to Herring. He explained that the best way to teach leadership is through community service programs. "Service was the most convenient way to harness undergraduates' energy and time," Herring said. All students in the class were divided into teams of about 10 people and were given various project options, he added. Students had to design original enterprises and implement them with their own money. Tomorrow night, for example, one group in the class will host a "Seventies Revival" party at Smokey Joe's, beginning at 10 p.m. Proceeds from the $3 cover charge will go to Habitat for Humanity and a free medical clinic in West Philadelphia, according to Wharton freshman Tamika Kay. Another group is working with the After School Center, which provides academic support for third and fourth graders. The children in the program are learning to produce, advertise and sell items for a small store. This week, the kids were screaming and waving signs on Locust Walk to promote their pumpkin and candy apple sale. A similar sale last month sold out. A third project, presented by a group calling itself "The Visionaries," intends to raise awareness and money for the Associated Services for the Blind, Inc. by running a dating service. They advertised the program with the slogan -- "Free sex and companionship don't exist." The service, which costs only $3, requires participants to fill out an entertaining questionnaire. One question about income level offered options ranging from "I live in a box," to "I prefer expensive American cardboard," to "Tori Spelling wanna-be." Each person who fills out the questionnaire will receive three names of people they would be compatible with based on their answers. "The Visionaries" are creating a computer program to play the matchmaker. On November 29, another Management 100 team will hold a luncheon seminar in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge. Mayor Ed Rendell is expected to attend. Social Work Professor Dennis Culhane, an expert on homelessness, will be the keynote speaker. The group will present awards to prominent Philadelphians who have helped the homeless. An optional $5 donation will be asked of attendees. Wharton freshman Luv Shah said the team planned the seminar because they take the plight of the homeless very seriously. Another team is planning a unique fundraiser called Coaches vs. Cancer, in an attempt to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. They have a booth set up on Locust Walk where passersby can make donations according to how many three-point shots the Penn men's basketball team makes during the season. The fundraiser began on November 13 and will continue until the 27th. There will also be a raffle for everyone who makes a pledge. The grand prize is four season tickets for the basketball team.