WELCOME, PENN ALUMNI!

H omecoming Weekend shows Penn at its best, and the best of Penn are in turn honored with the University's highest distinction at the Alumni Award of Merit Gala. This celebration of Penn's most dedicated alumni volunteers recognizes the extraordinary contributions made by these leaders and thousands of other alumni annually. It is at the core of an annual tradition that draws alumni and their families back to campus each fall. Highlights like the football game (this year against Brown), our all-alumni QuakerFest on the Green party, Red and Blue Rendezvous for young alumni, a Taste of Penn Celebration of Diversity, and affinity group social gatherings will be in full force as usual.

We're also offering an array of stimulating programs that underscore Penn's engagement with timely topics and challenges in today's world. What, after all, could be more appropriate in an election year than a panel discussion on the role of minorities in politics, or an assessment by Penn engineers of the promises and risks of electronic voting machines, or an Election Q & A with a leading political analyst? This year also marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth with a special Library exhibit that traces the progression of his thoughts on evolution, a multi-media display on human origins at the Penn Museum, and a discussion of this year's reading project, Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5 Billion-Year History of the Human Body.

Finally, to satisfy your artistic side, discover Penn's robust arts and culture scene. Stroll on your own through any one of several museums and galleries, or, if you prefer, participate in one of two curated Gallery Hops being offered. And music lovers won't want to miss the "Free at Noon" concert presented at World Cafe Live by WXPN, Penn's public radio station.

These and many other programs and activities featuring Penn's vibrant cultural, intellectual, and recreational landscape provide you with a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of our University. We hope you'll join us for the most engaging, enlightening, and exciting Homecoming Weekend ever!

LEE SPELMAN DOTY, W'76
President, Penn Alumni

F. HOOPES WAMPLER
Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations