Before the frenzy of finals period began, students were treated to a study break in the Quadrangle to commemorate Judith Rodin's 10 years as University president and to officially say goodbye to her.
Styled as a farewell carnival, the event lived up to its theme, with free food under colorful tents in Upper and Lower Quad accompanied by games tempting players with free T-shirts. To add to the festive atmosphere, performers juggled knives and other objects, paraded around on stilts and rode unicycles and miniature bicycles. A band also played on the junior balcony, providing music throughout the afternoon.
"It's more than I expected," College sophomore Mary Zeng said. "There's so much free food here."
"It's also a good study break," College sophomore Mitchell Guttman said. "It's perfect timing."
With a fairly large turnout, the crowd was packed with students eager to take a study break on the sunny Wednesday afternoon. And for perhaps the last time, students were given an opportunity to rub elbows with Rodin as she made a brief appearance in Lower Quad.
"I was attracted by the loud music outside my window," College freshman and Ware College House resident Joanna Levy said. "I was very pleasantly surprised -- I didn't realize what an event this would be."
"I think it's a great day to celebrate her time at Penn," Levy added.
Still, the cold weather that marked the beginning of the event was noticed by some.
"Too bad it's freezing," College sophomore Jacquelin King said.
Midway through the event --which ran from noon until 2 p.m. -- Rodin made her way to the junior balcony for a short presentation. The Inspiration a cappella group sang a tribute to Rodin, after which outgoing Undergraduate Assembly Chairman and College senior Jason Levy joined Senior Class President and College senior Meredith Seidel in presenting Rodin with a gift on behalf of all undergraduates. The gift was a shirt that read "Most of you do it in four -- I did it in ten."
"You were the catalyst behind 10 years of unprecedented improvements to academic and student life here at Penn," Levy said. "To us students here at Penn, you are much more than our president -- you are J-Ro, our hero."
Not to be outdone, outgoing Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Chairman Ronald Alvarez and incoming Chairwoman Simi Wilhelm presented Rodin with a plaque which will hang in the Graduate Student Center. The plaque commemorates Rodin's commitment to graduate student education.
"President Rodin has been a terrific friend to graduate student issues and concerns across her tenure," Alvarez said. "She has been accessible and open, fair and reasonable."
To close out the short presentation, the Penny Loafers sang a tribute to Rodin. Shortly after, Rodin addressed the students.
"I want to thank all of you for coming out here today," Rodin said. "It's a beautiful day, it was cold in the beginning, but it got better and better because all of you were here. It warmed up, because you're so warm and wonderful."
"Let me say that the best thing about Penn is its students," she continued. "You rock, you roll, you are absolutely fantastic. And the best thing -- the very, very, very best thing about this job is all of you. ... I am so proud of you and I have just loved being the president of Penn, so thanks to all of you."
