New Ivy stone placed

Seniors enjoy IvySeniors enjoy IvyDay festivities;Seniors enjoy IvyDay festivities;receive awards Following the parading, singing and festivities of Alumni Weekend --Ivy Day ceremonies were held at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Irvine Auditorium to honor excellence in the Class of 1996. The most traditional and solemn activity of the weekend drew friends, family and alumni into the majestic building for a brief rest. Class president and Wharton senior Lenny Chang presided over both the ceremony and the awards table -- leaving Irvine with The Spoon. "To be honored in such a way is a terrific way to graduate," said Chang. "But it still hasn't hit me that I'm leaving Penn." Chang introduced the alumni from the Class of '71, which is celebrating their 25th reunion. College senior Tamara Dubowitz, the recipient of the Althea K. Hottel Award, said she was inspired by her presenter, '71 graduate Miriam Labbok. "The coolest thing about my award was the presenter," said Dubowitz. "While I was listening to the description of her, I realized that my goal in life is to be just like her." Other top award winners of the class of '96 include Engineering and Wharton senior Gil Beverly, Wharton senior Lissette Calderon, College senior Alison Deitch, College senior Heather Dorf, College senior Eric Tienou, and Engineering senior Adam Matta. The Ivy Day Address was given by '81 graduate and Wharton School of Business alumnus Brian Roberts who is the president of Comcast, a Philadelphia-based telecommunications company. Comcast has recently purchased the Philadelphia 76ers, the Flyers and the Spectrum. Roberts focused on the importance of technology and noted the advantage that University graduates have bringing their increased computer knowledge into the work force. "Technology is very important in the real world," he said. "But everything really comes down to your heart, your head and your soul." After the address, University President Judith Rodin presented the General Alumni Society Award of Merit, the James Howard Weiss Memorial Award, and the Penn Student Agencies Award. The reserved ceremony was quickly cheered by the "Ode to the Ivy" performed by the Mask and Wig Club, which mocked recent campus events. On that light note, the Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum announced that the class of '96 selected Houston Hall as the site for their Ivy Stone. Matta, recipient of The Spade, led the crowd during the unveiling of the stone and the planting of the Class of 1996 Ivy. "The entire day has been really awesome because I now know that people appreciate all the hard work we have done," said Tienou, winner of the The Cane. "It is a honor to be selected for such an award."