February 2006

February 27, 2006
Did You Know... that the McNeil Center for Early American Studies' new, permanent home, designed by noted architect Robert A.M. Stern, opened this year on Hill Square? The center--which began life 25 years ago as the Philadelphia Center for Early American Studies--promotes scholarship in the early history of North America, with special emphasis on the Middle Atlantic region. Based at Penn and run by faculty at 16 colleges and universities from New York to Maryland, the center also promotes use of Philadelphia's rich historical resources.

Read more about the McNeil Center and view the building.

In honor of Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday on January 17, 2006, we offer a year of notable Franklin quotes:

"Character matters. Being ignorant is not so much a shame,
as being unwilling to learn."

--Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755

February 17, 2006
Did you know...that Penn's School of Nursing has received a $5 million gift from The Annenberg Foundation to support the renovation and renaming of its building for Dean Emerita Claire M. Fagin, HON'77, HON'94, a pioneer in nursing research? Fagin, who served as dean of the Penn School of Nursing from 1977 to 1992, helped transform the profession of nursing through emphasis on research and nursing science. From 1993 to 1994, Fagin served as interim president of the University of Pennsylvania. Read more here.

In honor of Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday on January 17, 2006, we offer a year of notable Franklin quotes:

"The Good particular Men may do separately ... is small compared with what they may do collectively."
--Benjamin Franklin, Appeal of the Hospital, 1751

February 8, 2006
Did you know. . . that the Penn Compact is President Amy Gutmann’s vision to propel the University of Pennsylvania from excellence to eminence in the core endeavors of teaching, research, and service? Under the Compact, Penn seeks to retain and attract the very best faculty and students. The Compact sets the stage for achieving eminence by embracing three principles that are deeply rooted in Penn’s proud history and distinct character: increased access; integrated knowledge; and local and global engagement.

View examples of the Compact in Action.

In honor of Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday on January 17, 2006, we offer a year of notable Franklin quotes:

"The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise men in all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and of Commonwealths."
--Ben Franklin, Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania, 1749

February 28, 2006
Penn Trustee George Weiss, a 1965 Wharton graduate, challenged Penn alumni to donations of $2 million or more after his surprise donation last November of $14 million for financial aid. So far, four alumni have stepped up and met his challenge, giving a total of $6.5 million. When donors make gifts at the $2 million mark, they become members of the "Men and Women of Pennsylvania." [more]

February 21, 2006
Self-proclaimed recovering fraternity boy and Wharton alumnus Aaron Karo entertained two back-to-back audiences at World Cafe Live last Friday night with comedic observations on life after college. The topics that Karo addresses revolve largely around drunken partying and sexual encounters, but his advice for Penn students is to be passionate about what they do. "In the long run, you can always make more money and be happier doing something that you love," Karo said. [more]

February 20, 2006
A Penn education was not enough to prepare Yis Gigay and Georgia Vass for having to build a bar with 800 pounds of concrete. But the alumni had to complete this task and many others while preparing to open a Mediterranean restaurant and hookah bar in downtown Philadelphia. Shouk, which Gigay and Vass recently opened at 622 S. Sixth St., is a testament to the duo's two years of determination and self-reliance. [more]

February 16, 2006
Three Penn professors are out to ruin America, according to a new book by a conservative political commentator. Pundit David Horowitz's latest book accuses three Penn professors of being among the most radical figures in higher education. The book -- entitled The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America -- describes what Horowitz considers to be a growing national trend of left-wing professors attempting to indoctrinate students with their own political agendas. Of the Penn faculty, Law professor Regina Austin, History professor Mary Frances Berry and Religious Studies professor Michael Eric Dyson made Horowitz's list. Penn professors named in the book are trying not to take their inclusion very seriously, however. [more]

February 8, 2006
R&B recording artist and Penn graduate John Legend won three awards last night at the 48th annual Grammy award ceremony, including Best New Artist. His debut album, Get Lifted -- which placed No. 7 in Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart in its first week -- won R&B Album of the Year against stiff competition from such artists as Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder. [more]