University President Judith Rodin managed one more "first" last Friday as she became the first female recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's William Penn Award.
The award, given out yearly, is bestowed upon a member of the Philadelphia business community who has made significant contributions to the area.
"Judy Rodin ... has transformed the University from a place which enjoyed great academic renown into an economic powerhouse as well," Chamber President Mark Schweiker said. "As a result of that leadership and success, the William Penn Award was provided to President Rodin."
Each year, the former award recipients assemble to review the year's candidates and make a recommendation to the chamber. The award was first given in 1949, and this is the first time the award has been given to a woman.
"She certainly is a trailblazer on many other counts," Schweiker said. "But when it comes to a role model for executive women, she certainly fits the bill."
Schweiker cited the commercial development in University City, as well as Penn's increased National Institutes of Health funding. Penn is the largest recipient of NIH funding, which provides "tremendous commercial and technological opportunity," Schweiker said.
Such opportunity "amounts to paychecks and jobs for our residents," he added.
To honor Rodin's accomplishments, an award gala was held in the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. Rodin was instrumental in selecting the theme for the ceremony, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," as Shakespeare is a favorite of Rodin's.
"It was so beautiful -- it was so nice," Rodin said of the black-tie event.
Schweiker agreed that the ballroom's transformation was spectacular and "consistent with the transformation that has been the case in the University of Pennsylvania neighborhood," he said.
About 500 attended the event, which consisted of a cocktail reception, followed by a short presentation by area business leaders. Rodin and her fellow celebrants settled down for dinner and dancing to close the event.
"A good time was had by all," Schweiker said.
