Rodin discusses 1960s life

Students who were even a minute late for University President Judith Rodin's speech yesterday on Penn in the 1960s didn't get much out of her lecture, except for free lunch and entertainment. Rodin's speech-- the first in a summer events series called the "Don't Be Late: 60 second Lecture and Lunch" -- only lasted a minute, but the food and music provided after the lecture kept the crowd lingering long after her "abbreviated oration" had ended. The 60-second lecture series -- which will take place every Wednesday in June and July at the tables near 37th Street and Locust Walk -- is one of many summer sessions' events that are sponsored by the College of General Studies. Other highlights include outdoor volleyball games, outings to local restaurants, midnight movie screenings and more to take place throughout the summer. Each Wednesday, a different member of the Penn faculty will give a 60-second oration on the topic of his choice. The short time limit is placed on speakers because "attention spans run low this time of year," explained Melissa Pelaez, Penn's summer events coordinator. And Director of Summer Session Programming Valerie Ross said the idea behind the series is for "students to have exposure to the terrific faculty here at Penn in a summer setting." The atmosphere during Rodin's speech was enhanced by the vocal stylings of Regina Christian, folk guitarist and coordinator for the Penn Music Department. Performing such 1960s classics as "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Turn, Turn, Turn," Christian beckoned the audience back to another era -- an era appropriate for the decade to which Rodin dedicated a minute of her time. Rodin recalled the University she attended 30 years ago as a Penn student, a university without Locust Walk and with a separate college for women. The Quadrangle was a male dormitory at the time and women were required to follow dress and curfew regulations, Rodin said. Rodin wrapped up her short speech quoting Bob Dylan. "'The times they are a-changing,'" Rodin said. "Only 30 years ago, [Penn] was an extremely different place." After her speech, the approximately 75 students, faculty and passer-bys in attendance shared a lunch catered by Bon Appetit. Rodin called the series a "great idea, a way to make summer students feel like they're part of a community." Most of the people in attendance felt that the event was, and will continue to be, a success. "It's an interesting way to spend lunchtime -- relaxing atmosphere, relaxing music," said Wharton freshman Eileen McCarthy. Next Wednesday, Professor of English Al Filreis will speak on "The End of the Lecture As We Know It." A complete schedule of speakers and other summer events is available on the Internet at http://www.sas.upenn.edu/CGS/summer/calendar.html. Students are also able to vote on the best 60-second speaker at the site or see a speech they missed. Every speech will be shown on-line the day after it is delivered. The prize for best speaker will be awarded at the end of the summer.