'A pragmatic love of knowledge." In case you haven't seen any of Penn's recent advertising material, this phrase is now linked to our University with such other buzzwords as "entrepreneurship," "invention" and "outreach." The phrase represents a nervousness about appearing too intellectual, too smart for our own good.

Penn spent $980,038 on activities in Washington and Harrisburg for the fiscal year that ended in May 2007, an increase from $218,199 the year before. Much of that money was spent on lobbying expenses. However, according to Jeffrey Cooper, the vice president for government and community affairs, the increase was simply the result of a new law mandating that the University health system's expenses be included in the general report.

From the birthday cake to the African violets, the 90th anniversary celebration of the Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority was truly "a glorious affair." That was the name of the celebration of DST's "90 years of excellence" that took place last Saturday in the Bodek Lounge.

Along with four other colleges and universities around the country, Penn President Amy Gutmann pledged Friday to create an additional 400 civic-service opportunities for Penn students. The new opportunities will help prepare students for service in a variety of fields, expand the reach of Penn's service programs and enhance the intellectual impact that civic engagement already provides, she said.

The doctor is in, and she wants you to vote for Barack Obama. On Saturday night, actress Kate Walsh - best known for playing Dr. Addison Montgomery on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice - stepped out of her Hollywood role to voice her support for Democratic presidential nominee Sen.

Baird to the bone: M. X-country in second Chris Baird led all runners in the 8K at Old Nassau Run in Princeton, N.J., and the men's cross country team finished in second place in both the 6K and 8K. Baird ran the 8K in 25:46.00, as the Quakers finished with 50 points, two behind first-place Columbia.

As the first undergraduate student to curate a major exhibit at Penn's Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, College senior and graduate sub-matriculate student in Anthropology Abby Seldin is in a league of her own. Along with Chief Bob Redhawk Ruth and Shelley DePaul, Seldin is co-curator of "Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania.

In two games this season, the Penn men's soccer team has yet to allow a goal. In four, Seton Hall has scored 13. When the two teams face off tonight in Princeton, N.J., something's gotta give. "It's kind of like an unstoppable force meets an immovable object," senior goalkeeper Drew Healy said.

Fay Ajzenberg-Selove has proven time and again that persistence and hard work can overcome any stereotype. And on Sept. 29, the White House will celebrate these traits by awarding her the 2007 National Medal of Science. President George Bush announced earlier this month that the professor emerita of physics is among the eight recipients of the Medal, the nation's highest honor for science.

After playing two games in Virginia, the Penn field hockey team returned north with two more losses. On Saturday, the Quakers lost, 3-2, in overtime to William & Mary, and on Sunday, they again fell, this time 3-1 to Virginia Commonwealth. Penn (1-4) had trouble starting strong in both games, as it was outscored, 5-1, in the first half.

Despite leading 2-0 at the 47:08 mark, Penn gave up three late goals to fall 3-2 to the Wildcats in the second game of the Penn Invitational at Rhodes Field.

You'll have to forgive Lauren Sadaka for feeling a little long in the tooth. She is, after all, the only member of the Penn women's tennis team who can legally drink. Indeed, with her squad about to open its fall campaign at this weekend's Princeton Invitational, Sadaka - the Quakers' lone senior on a roster of nine - has spent the season's early stages honing her skills as elder stateswoman.

Concerns over bisphenol-A - the chemical found in Nalgene bottles and other plastic goods - has sparked nationwide-debate over its safety for consumer use. Since concerns over the chemical surfaced this spring, universities have been paying attention to any possible risks.

Whatever the Golden Eagles said during a fifth-set timeout paid off, as they rattled off three straight points en route to winning the set, 15-13, and the opening match of the Florida International Invitational. From there, it was all downhill for the Red and Blue. They didn't win a single set the rest of the way, getting swept by both FIU and Central Florida.

On the surface, there are two great barriers awaiting the Penn women's soccer team tonight against Villanova, its opening game in this weekend's Penn Invitational. First, the big, round zero at the end of the Wildcats' 2008 record (5-0) is waiting for the Quakers - just like it was leading into last year's 4-0 Penn loss.

Mayor Michael Nutter announced "Philadelphia's Education Promise" - his plan to improve the city's education system - last night before a crowded auditorium at South Philadelphia High School. The speech outlined Nutter's plans to involve the entire Philadelphia community in working toward goals that include decreasing the drop out rate and increasing college enrollment.

Athletes weren't the only members of Penn's community participating in the Olympics last month in Beijing. Three of Penn's chefs and food coordinators worked with 250 other employees of Aramark, Penn Dining's official partner, to serve 3.5 million meals during the Olympics and Paralympics this August.