Former Penn president Sheldon Hackney grew up in conservative Alabama household, and his upbringing had a great influence on his scholarly work.

Last week’s response to the Navy Yard shootings was different because the country’s sentiment concerning gun violence has changed. Our anger confirmed that, in 2013, we have found ourselves in a post-NRA America.

Though the Miss America Pageant is problematic in it’s narrow, superficial method of validating women on a national stage, we are pleased to see the pageant pay homage to the melting pot that America prides itself on being.

The current Miss Idaho, Sarah Downs, a 2012 College graduate, has been competing in pageants since age 17.

Matisyahu will play at the Blockley on 38th Street.

?The University has received a $20 million federal grant to fund the University of Pennsylvania Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science.

Penn for Palestine brought Josh Ruebner — author and national advocacy director of U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation — to campus Tuesday.

Anthony Kennedy will visit the University next week to teach a constitutional law class and speak with law school students and alumni, the Law School will announce Wednesday.

The International Affairs Association will hold their first ever Ivy League Model United Nations Conference India high school Model U.N. conference, which will take place in New Delhi over fall break.

Penn has already seen major changes at quarterback, wide receiver and on the defensive line for a laundry list of reasons, ranging from significant injury, to personal issues, to good old-fashioned ineffectiveness.

By mid-November, the fraternity will be officially colonized and recognized by the national organization.

The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education is gearing up to produce the latest edition of the report that brought about the pass/fail option and four-class semesters.

After watching Penn begin its pursuit of a fourth outright Ivy League title in five years on Saturday, it’s clear that the Quakers aren’t rebuilding so much as they’re reloading even at some of their most inexperienced positions.

1990 College graduate Michael Rauch led an interactive event at Kelly Writers House, recreating the environment of a TV writers’ room.

Current and former university presidents credit Sheldon Hackney for recognizing their leadership potential.

____The Penn Band was the highlight of halftime entertainment at Saturday’s football game against Lafayette. The band paid homage to Beyonce’s performance earlier this month at Made in America, standing in the shape of a heart and playing her mega-hit, “Crazy in Love.” Miley Cyrus and NSA jokes over the loudspeaker certainly aren’t off-limits, either.

Since it was launched Aug. 20, it’s gotten 3,000 downloads and 2,000 users.