EDITORIAL: 'Thanks' from the undergrads

The $10 million donation from Trustee Chairperson Roy Vagelos and his wife will increase undergraduate research participation. The $10 million donation announced yesterday to create a scholars program in molecular life sciences will increase undergraduate research opportunities. And with the opening of the Institute for Advanced Science and Technology building, the program will complement the new laboratories. The Vageloses' donations have focused on the academic needs of undergraduates. Instead of giving money to the University for programs or projects that may not be as important to Penn's mission, the Vageloses target academic areas that are lacking. More alumni should take their cue from the Vageloses and donate funds for programs that administrators are trying to cultivate or for academic projects that need funding. Penn is a great research university, but most of the time, undergraduates don't have the chance to work in the laboratories with professors on ground-breaking projects. In the Agenda for Excellence strategic plan, University President Judith Rodin has focused on increasing research opportunities for undergraduates and this program will do just that. With the continued financial support of the Vageloses and other alumni, Penn will truly improve its undergraduate cross-disciplinary programs.