In her inaugural address, Penn President Amy Gutmann established interdisciplinary study as the second prong in her three-part Penn Compact.
And after the announcement of a $10 million donation at last weekend's Board of Trustees meeting, it looks as though the University will have the money to embark on that mission.
Gutmann and Interim Provost Peter Conn have rallied behind the goal of expanding academic options across Penn's various schools, and nothing could be more in tune with Benjamin Franklin's mission of a practical university.
Conn was right on earlier this semester when he stressed the importance of drawing knowledge from the various fields of study to solve the world's problems. It is no longer enough to be a specialist in one field and ignore everything else. Thus it has been encouraging to see the continuing expansion of interdisciplinary programs, such as Wharton's Healthcare Management Program, which combines study in nursing with business acumen.
And with the recent inflow of capital, new doors will soon be opening for study in solving real-world problems.
Penn has the resources throughout its various schools to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for challenges that are not neatly divided into specific disciplines. But for many years bureaucracy and strict departmental organization have prevented the fusion of various subjects.
By establishing an additional funding source devoted specifically to interdisciplinary study, the University is sending a clear message that this is the future of higher education. And it should be.
This $10 million is just a start, and any long-term project will likely require a constant stream of new funding. But if Penn can take the lead nationally in creating educational opportunities for the real world, our peers will be quick to follow.
