The more than 60 members of the University Board of Trustees have the power to direct funds toward specific areas and programs at Penn, allocations that can have a direct impact on students' educational experience.
Last night, Penn alumni Cathy Sachs and John Hover spoke about their experiences as trustees before a group of students in Hamilton College House.
Sachs is currently on the Art Committee at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Hover is the retired president of the New York-based U.S. Trust Company.
Sachs and Hover focused on how students can continue to be involved with the University after graduation.
"This experience [as a Penn student] will stay with you forever," Hover said.
For Hover, the decision to be a trustee sprang from his desire to contribute to the University's future.
"This institution will live on for years," he said. "To feel like you built an institution so valuable to society is really your own personal legacy. That's the ultimate reason why you want to be involved."
Being at the helm of an institution ranked fourth nationally allows Hover to learn about "cutting-edge research and education," he said. "That keeps me young."
Sachs said she became involved out of her love for the Penn community.
"The Penn tradition is very important. ... It makes me feel like I am truly part of Penn," Sachs said, adding that she "truly feels at home here."
The 1969 graduate said she enjoys the interesting opportunities offered to trustees, such as "being with people who are constantly thinking."
Sachs said she has advocated that funds be directed to support arts programs at Penn, noting "the importance of art in education and in life."
According to Hover, the most significant impact the Board of Trustees has had recently was in electing Amy Gutmann as University president.
"We've done a brilliant job with Amy Gutmann," he said.
At least 40 students attended the event, which included a chicken and pasta buffet dinner.
"They were very nice, really personable," College sophomore Sarah McHugh said. "They were great speakers -- I liked it."
College senior Rebekka Levy said she "absolutely loved" the presentation.
"I hope this becomes a tradition. I love that students and trustees can interact," she added.
The event was part of the Penn Traditions program, which encourages students to "establish a lifelong relationship with Penn ... learning and maintain Penn's student traditions ... and learn the history of Penn," according to program director Elise Betz.
In the past, the program has sponsored events like last year's "Highball to Hey Day," where then-sophomores learned about the history of Penn, and the then-freshman class' "Play Day," where Class of 2007 T-shirts were handed out.
Such events "promote and inspire class unity," Betz said.
