College sophomore Crista McDonald: Where did the name 'Speakman' come from?
Mark Lloyd: That's a good question. Speakman House [now part of Ware College House] was named in 1963 for Frank M. Speakman, a 1908 graduate of the University's Evening School of Accounts and Finance. Mr. Speakman, who died in 1956, left the University more than $1 million in his will.
[An original copy of the building's dedication speech noted that Frank Speakman was president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary in addition to his work as an accountant.]
Third-year architecture student Katie James: Why do people throw bread at football games?
ML: "Here's a toast to dear old Penn" is the line in the football rally song that, in the days before Penn went dry, brought out the kegs of beer. But now, in the place of alcoholic beverage, we take the lyrics very literally.
College freshman Annie Lee: Why are we the 'Quakers'?
ML: Because Philadelphia is the Quaker City. And we became the Quaker University, even though Benjamin Franklin and his fellow founding trustees were not Quakers.
Wharton freshman Billy Murcia: What is the meaning of 'the Button'?
ML: "The Split Button" is the correct name, I believe, for the Claes Oldenburg sculpture in front of Van Pelt Library. According to the sculptor himself, no meaning should be assigned to this example of modern art.
College senior Jason Ribeiro: What's up with the weird Superblock statue?
ML: It's called "The Covenant" and it was designed by Alexander Lieberman in 1975. It's another piece of modern art. George Thomas, in his fantastic book, Building America's First University, calls it "a triumphal arch in steel tubes."
I really enjoy addressing questions on University history and prominent individuals associated with the University. I've prepared a Penn history IQ test which I administer annually to unsuspecting sophomores. Stay tuned!
Mark Lloyd - University Archivist, charged with keeping Penn's official record - More than 21 years at Penn, reigning expert on Penn facts - Teaches the class 'Penn and West Philadelphia,' which examines the Penn's growth and relationship with the community.
