U. honors Vagelos for service

The former Trustee chair was the guest of honor at a dinner and show. What do you get when you combine the former chairperson and CEO of Merck Pharmaceuticals and the University of Pennsylvania? "Perfect Chemistry." That was the title and theme of last night's tribute to Roy Vagelos, the former chairperson of the University Board of Trustees. At Vagelos' suggestion, the tribute consisted of performances by 14 Penn performing arts groups, ranging from the Penn Band and a cappella groups such as Counterparts to the Penn Jazz Ensemble and the University Symphony Orchestra. "I think [the format] is wonderful," Vagelos said. "Instead of having a bunch of speeches, the Trustees see the best part of Penn, the students." The presentation, held in the Zellerbach Theatre, was opened by Michela Majoun, the WXPN radio personality who hosts the radio station's program The Morning Show. Majoun introduced performing arts group The Four Elements, who kicked off the musical portion of the show with "Chemistry Tonight," adapted from the song "Comedy Tonight" from the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The night's comedic hosts-- "The Professor," played by actor Brad Thoennes, and his assistant, magician and College senior Ryan Oakes -- followed with a lecture explaining the periodic table to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General." The exploration of Vagelos' life began with a swing dance performance by the Penn Ballroom Dance Society, presented as something Vagelos may have participated in as an undergraduate in the Class of 1950. Vagelos' undergraduate experience at Penn had a profound impact on his attitudes as Trustees chairperson, he said. The child of Greek immigrants who operated a diner in northern New Jersey, he attended the University on a scholarship and considers his work in promoting undergraduate financial aid the "high point" of his tenure on the board. And so, fittingly, at the dinner that preceded the performing arts presentation, donors who endowed undergraduate scholarships were introduced to the students their donations had helped bring to the University. "I was a scholarship student," Vagelos said. "I know how important financial aid is." Vagelos spent time with students participating in the Vagelos Scholars program in biochemistry, a program of which he is particularly proud. "They are all very smart." Vagelos said. "Chemistry is going to be the means that will allow them to go in many directions, to prepare for a career the sciences, medicine, research and to build the future of our country and the world." The presentation concluded with the song "The Red and the Blue," performed by all of the groups which had taken part in the presentation. "It's been a wonderful five years," said Vagelos, who stepped down as head of the Trustees Board this summer, as he approached the mandatory retirement age of 70. "Things are going great and they will be greater in the future."