Joe Torsella proves that it is possible to go from living in Hill College House to campaigning for a position on Capitol Hill.
Torsella -- Pennsylvania 13th Congressional District Democratic contender, 1986 Penn alumnus and Rhodes Scholar -- spoke at the Fels Institute of Government on Friday about his experience at Penn and in politics, as well as about his plans for the future.
A Phi Beta Kappa member, Mask and Wig actor and member of the College Democrats while an undergraduate, Torsella -- who majored in economics and history -- said that he had not planned to become involved in politics.
However, he decided to work on the 1983 campaign of Philadelphia Democratic mayoral candidate Wilson Goode, going so far as to take the year off to serve as Goode's Northeast coordinator.
Still unsure of whether or not politics was the field for him, Torsella received a Rhodes Scholarship and attended New College at Oxford University, where he studied American history from 1986 to 1990.
After returning to the states, Torsella worked as issues director for current Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's mayoral campaign in Philadelphia in 1991. He also served as deputy mayor for policy and planning of the city of Philadelphia under Rendell from 1992 to 1993.
But Torsella says the "proudest achievement" of his life was working as the president and chief executive officer of the newly completed National Constitution Center. "Everything about the project stirred something in me," Torsella said. "I fell in love with the project."
Involved in all aspects of the project, including construction, Torsella was responsible for garnering support and funds for the center, which opened on July 4, 2003.
It was also during this time that Torsella began to consider running for political office after current Congressman Joseph Hoeffel declared he would not seek a fourth term. On Sept. 3, 2003, Torsella officially declared himself a candidate.
During his speech at the Fels Institute, Torsella -- who commented that he did not think politics was "in [his] cards at all" -- encouraged audience members to be willing to see and accept challenges and opportunities. He advised students "not to have too firm" a career or life plan and to take risks.
"Take some bets that seem like losing propositions," Torsella said. "If you want to make a difference," look for the problems away from which other people are running. He added that "when you stumble on situations which look bad," take the chance and try to make them work.
Torsella said what he like most about the University is the fact that "Penn invites you into the city."
The speech was part of a Friday afternoon lecture series sponsored by Fels. Although the program is required for first-year graduate students working to receive their master's in government administration, all students are invited to attend.
First-year graduate students at Fels Anne Baker and Telly Boyd said that they enjoyed the series. Boyd added that the program gets "a good mix of speakers from the private, public, quasi-governmental and nonprofit world."
