In its 371-year history, Harvard University has been led by scientists, clergy, lawyers and literary scholars - but never by a woman. And as the Harvard search to replace ex-president Lawrence Summers closes in on a short list of candidates, one name is notably missing: Amy Gutmann.
Local Asian Americans share story of struggle
For some Philadelphia residents, fighting injustice is a daily routine. Last night, before a group of 15 students seated in comfy couches and chairs at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, local Asian Americans spoke about dedicating their lives to remedying social injustices in their community.
'Great Expectations' for Phila.'s next mayor
Discussions about Philadelphia politics are usually conducted in English, but Harris Sokoloff began one with a "ni-hao." Sokoloff, director of Penn's Project on Civic Engagement, was greeting the members of a bilingual citizens' forum last weekend in Chinatown - part of a citywide initiative called Great Expectations, which aims to increase dialogue about local issues as the mayoral election approaches this fall.
Committee to replace dean is announced
Eduardo Glandt will chair the 14-person consultative committee that is charged with replacing Wharton Dean Patrick Harker, University President Amy Gutmann announced in a press statement yesterday.
Local Asian Americans share story of struggle
For some Philadelphia residents, fighting injustice is a daily routine. Last night, before a group of 15 students seated in comfy couches and chairs at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, local Asian Americans spoke about dedicating their lives to remedying social injustices in their community.
'Great Expectations' for Phila.'s next mayor
Discussions about Philadelphia politics are usually conducted in English, but Harris Sokoloff began one with a "ni-hao." Sokoloff, director of Penn's Project on Civic Engagement, was greeting the members of a bilingual citizens' forum last weekend in Chinatown - part of a citywide initiative called Great Expectations, which aims to increase dialogue about local issues as the mayoral election approaches this fall.
English prof. reflects on period of apartheid
Despite her uncle's advice not to write about other books, Rita Barnard found that the best way to talk about South Africa's period of apartheid was through examining the literature that described the phenomenon. Last evening, the Penn English professor introduced her new book, Apartheid and Beyond: South African Writers and the Politics of Place, to a small - but devoted - crowd at the Penn Bookstore.
Remember When . This Week in 1993
Penn Student reactions were mixed the week of President Bill Clinton's inauguration on Jan. 21. "This is the first presidential election in which I participated, and I felt like a part of something which will be historically significant," said then-College junior Josh Penn.
In a year of violence, Penn's an 'island of safety'
Four-hundred-six is the number on the minds of most Philadelphians, but only the number two concerns Penn Division of Public Safety officials. Philadelphia saw 406 homicides in 2006, an increase of 27 from last year and the city's highest murder rate since 1997.
One year later, victim reflects on shooting
Engineering junior Mari Oishi was shot in the left thigh last January as she walked near the intersection of 38th and Walnut streets - the stray bullet came from a robbery that was occurring down the block. Partly as a result, President Amy Gutmann pledged an additional $5 million to the Division of Public Safety to create Operation Safe, through which the security presence, technology and lighting were all increased on campus.
Pork cutdown not Penn's problem
Congressional pork-barrel spending for academia will dry up in 2007, but Penn's researchers probably won't feel the pinch. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have now passed sweeping ethics reforms mandating that legislators must publicly disclose all earmarks they insert into bills.
'Day-O' legend urges young crowd to be active
Although most people today identify Harry Belafonte with songs like "Day-O" and his hit album, Calypso, Belafonte is continuing to touch millions - but with words, not lyrics. The former singer and actor sat down with Penn History professor Mary Frances Berry for the seventh annual Rev.
Breaking News: Brady to declare candidacy
In a statement released Monday, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady confirmed what many political analysts have long speculated: He is running for mayor in the Democratic primary. Brady, who represents the eastern part of the city in Washington will officially announce his bid Thursday evening at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Student robbed on frat's front steps
A Penn student was robbed at gunpoint outside of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house at about 2:45 a.m. yesterday morning, Philadelphia Police said.
For UA, new elevators are a must
With the help of the Undergraduate Assembly, high-rise dwellers may be a step closer to getting faster elevators. At its meeting last night, the UA passed a proposal - authored by UA member Enoch Arthur-Asmah, a College freshman - urging the University to "fully investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of upgrading the high-rise elevators" in Harrison and Harnwell college houses.
Neighborhood reflects on the unthinkable
WAYNE, Pa. - The only thing that distinguishes 670 Forest Rd. from the surrounding houses is a cross made out of evergreen branches on the front lawn. As you get closer, you can make out dried flowers spilling out of small vases, burned-out candles and two stuffed animals - one pink, one purple. A sign reads: "Ellen may you be at peace. Love your friends."
News Brief: 'DCRP' a top-10 school in urban planning
The Department of City and Regional Planning - part of the University's School of Design - has been ranked No. 5 in the U.S., University officials announced last week. It was additionally ranked No.3 in the Northeast in an independent, nationwide survey distributed to professionals, educators and students, who were asked to name the top urban-planning graduate schools in the country.
As casinos loom, Praxis takes heat
Over the last year, anti-casino neighborhood groups have been fuming - mostly at the state for legalizing slots parlors across Pennsylvania and at the city for not doing more to stop their placement in Philadelphia. Now, the groups' ire is turning to Penn Praxis, the consulting arm of Penn's School of Design that was brought in to be above the very political fray that has already involved both city and state officials.
These schnozberries taste like schnozberries!
Imagine being able to taste a candy bar before ever reaching for your wallet. Then imagine doing the same for soda, alcohol or chocolate. That's exactly what Adnan Aziz - a 2004 Engineering and College alumnus - wants you to do. Aziz, 24, is the founder of two-year-old First Flavor, Inc.
SCUE elects new leader for 2007
From adding on days to winter break to increasing the number of research opportunities available to undergraduates, the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education has its hands full. And to head these projects, SCUE chose its next chairwoman last night: College junior Elizabeth Slavitt.










