September 8, 2026 Volume 73 Issue 5

Bart C. De Jonghe: Shearer Endowed Term Professor in Healthy Community Practices

Dr. De Jonghe, a professor of nutrition in the department of biobehavioral health sciences, has been named the Shearer Endowed Term Professor in Healthy Community Practices. Dr. De Jonghe is internationally recognized for pioneering research on the neuroscience of nausea, emesis, and appetite regulation. His work has advanced understanding of how hormones such as GLP-1, GDF15, and GIP influence food intake and gastrointestinal side effects, with important implications for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. He has built a highly productive and collaborative research program, publishing more than fifty peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals and making significant contributions to the fields of neuroscience, metabolism, and nutrition. 

An exceptional educator and mentor, Dr. De Jonghe received the University of Pennsylvania Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in 2022 and has received multiple Dean’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. He co-founded Penn’s Nutrition Science undergraduate major and served as both associate director and director, helping to shape nutrition education across the University. Since 2022, he has also chaired Penn’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), providing leadership for the University’s animal research compliance and welfare programs. Through his research, teaching, mentorship, and service, Dr. De Jonghe has made enduring contributions to Penn Nursing and the broader scientific community.

Melanie Kornides: Dr. Hildagarde Reynolds Endowed Term Chair of Primary Care Nursing

Dr. Kornides, an associate professor of nursing in the department of family and community health, has been named the Dr. Hildagarde Reynolds Endowed Term Chair of Primary Care Nursing. A respected scholar, educator, and nurse practitioner, Dr. Kornides is nationally recognized for her research on vaccination, preventive care, health communication, and population health. Her work focuses on understanding and addressing disparities in vaccine uptake, particularly among adolescents and underserved populations, and has informed evidence-based strategies to strengthen public confidence in preventive healthcare and improve health outcomes. Her scholarship has advanced knowledge in vaccine communication, cancer prevention, and equitable access to care. 

Before joining Penn Nursing, Dr. Kornides practiced as a family nurse practitioner and public health nurse in a variety of community-based settings, providing primary care to children, adolescents, and families. An outstanding educator and mentor, she has played an active leadership role in curriculum development, doctoral education, and faculty governance, helping prepare the next generation of nurse scientists and advanced practice nurses. Through her research, teaching, clinical expertise, and service, Dr. Kornides has made significant contributions to the advancement of primary care nursing and population health.

Lauren Massimo: Anthony Buividas Term Chair in Gerontology

Dr. Massimo, an associate professor of nursing in the department of biobehavioral health sciences, has been named the Anthony Buividas Term Chair in Gerontology. Dr. Massimo is an internationally recognized leader in gerontological nursing whose work exemplifies scientific excellence, clinical impact, and interdisciplinary leadership. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly frontotemporal degeneration, and the cognitive, behavioral, and caregiver challenges associated with aging and dementia. Through her innovative program of research, she has advanced understanding of apathy, cognitive decline, and caregiver burden while developing interventions that improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their families. 

A hallmark of Dr. Massimo’s career is her sustained record of NIH-funded research and scientific leadership. She has served as principal investigator and project leader on major grants from the National Institute on Aging, leading studies that have generated important insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease and behavioral symptoms. Her scholarly contributions include an extensive portfolio of high-impact publications that have influenced both research and clinical practice. In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Massimo is a dedicated educator, mentor, and institutional leader. She has mentored doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career investigators, and serves as co-director of the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center. A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Massimo is widely recognized for advancing gerontological nursing science and improving care for older adults and their families.

The Center for Advanced Research in Global Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania is delighted to announce that Yingchun Xu will be the center’s inaugural Annabelle Sreberny Pre-Doctoral Fellow. She will visit CARGC in September 2026. During her three-week-long fellowship, Ms. Xu will work on advancing her dissertation and participate in the center events and research activities, including Annabelle Sreberny Distinguished Lecture that will be held on September 22, 2026.

“Yingchun’s research on the cultural politics of digital media use among Indigenous communities in China and Thailand exemplifies the spirit and legacy of Professor Annabelle Sreberny,” said CARGC research director Eszter Zimanyi. “Professor Sreberny’s commitment to centering media processes of political and social change in the Global South, and to making communication studies more inclusive, shaped countless scholars in our field. CARGC is honored to help support the next generation of global media scholars through the Annabelle Sreberny pre-doctoral fellowship program and we are thrilled to welcome Yingchun as our inaugural fellow.”

Ms. Xu is a PhD candidate in media studies at Rutgers University. Her research examines algorithmic culture, digital media use, and the cultural politics of Indigenous communities, with particular attention to how algorithm-driven social media platforms shape Indigenous cultural practices and how Indigenous content creators strategically engage with these platforms in processes of cultural revitalization and preservation.

Drawing on online and offline ethnography, visual analysis, and comparative research, her dissertation explores Indigenous media practices in China and Thailand, with a particular focus on cross-border Hani/Akha communities. She investigates how algorithm-driven platforms facilitate new forms of cultural continuity, intergenerational exchange, and community-building while also producing tensions around visibility, commercialization, and representation.

Before joining Rutgers, Ms. Xu worked in journalism, environmental communication, and higher education in China and the U.S. Her research interests include Indigenous media, algorithmic culture, media ethics, and digital ethnography. Through extensive fieldwork in China and Thailand, she is committed to collaborative and community-centered research that connects digital technologies with questions of cultural diversity, Indigenous knowledge, and human–environment relationships.

The Annabelle Sreberny Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Global Media Studies is a short-term residency program intended for PhD candidates from institutions other than the University of Pennsylvania whose research examines global media.

Ronald Edward Frank, former professor of marketing and vice dean in the Wharton School, died on July 1, 2026. He was 92. 

Dr. Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from Sullivan High School in Chicago. He went on to attend Northwestern University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1955, followed by a master of business administration in 1956. He later completed his PhD in marketing at the University of Chicago in 1960. 

At the Wharton School, Dr. Frank began his career in 1966 as an associate professor, then became a full professor in 1968. He later served as the department chair, then went on to serve as the associate dean of research and PhD programs and as vice dean of the Wharton School. 

Over his tenure, he served in numerous leadership roles, including as chair of the Wharton doctoral policy committee and a member of the University Council’s conflict-of-interest subcommittee. 

In addition to his work at Wharton, Dr. Frank held faculty positions at Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Stanford University. In 1984, he became dean of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and later served as dean of Emory University’s Business School from 1989 to 1998, renaming the school the Goizueta Business School during his tenure. 

After stepping down, he remained dean emeritus of the Goizueta Business School, as well as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor Emeritus of Marketing at Emory. He then became a trustee in 1999 and president in 2001 of Singapore Management University (SMU). 

During his time at SMU, faculty and student body size increased markedly, and the university added two new schools. Dr. Frank was also a renowned scholar, ranked as the fourth most-cited author in the field of marketing for over a decade. He founded the Journal of Consumer Research and authored or co-authored 12 books.

Dr. Frank is survived by his children, Lauren Frank and Kim Tsao; and his grandchild, Jeffrey Tsao. A memorial celebration was held on August 22, 2026. 

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The following is published in accordance with the Faculty Senate Rules. Among other purposes, the publication of SEC actions is intended to stimulate discussion among the constituencies and their representatives. Please communicate your comments to J. Patrick Walsh in the Senate Office by emailing senate@pobox.upenn.edu.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Welcome. Faculty Senate Chair Roy Hamilton welcomed new and returning faculty representatives and expressed appreciation for their contributions to faculty shared governance. He reminded them of the one-page introduction to the Faculty Senate that was endorsed by SEC last year as well as his letter to the faculty published on August 25. Professor Hamilton thanked faculty members who reached out to him over the summer either in office hours or via email and welcomed additional ongoing feedback and dialogue throughout the year.

Getting Acquainted. SEC members participated in a brief “icebreaker” exercise in lieu of formal introductions.

Rules of the Road for 2025-2026. Professor Hamilton proposed the use of Robert’s Rules of Order as a guiding document to be used as an informal guide in a common-sense manner, consistent with the practices of SEC during 2025-2026. 

Communicating with Constituencies. As was the case during 2025-2026, some meeting time will be devoted to reports from constituency representatives to improve democratic representation and communication. Representatives may communicate with their constituents using listservs maintained by the Senate Office, though face-to-face engagements, such as through departmental faculty meetings, were encouraged when possible.

Finalizing the Meeting Minutes. The minutes of the regular meeting held on May 13, 2026, and of the Special Meetings held on May 27, 2026, and June 23, 2026, respectively, were adopted as drafted.

Tri-Chairs’ Report. Professor Hamilton described the work of the Tri-Chairs and Faculty Senate representatives during summer 2026, including special SEC meetings that yielded a Statement on the Proposed Revisions to the Guidelines on Open Expression, the establishment of faculty appointees to the Consultative Committee for the Selection of a President, and Nominating Committee discussions regarding its practices and procedures.

Issues Requiring a Vote. The following matters were considered in turn.

Faculty Membership on the 2026-27 Committee on Open Expression. On motion and second made, and following discussion, SEC members unanimously adopted (with one abstention) the roster of faculty members on the 2026-2027 Committee on Open Expression.

Draft Charges for Senate Standing Committees, 2026-2027. On motion and second made, and following discussion, SEC members unanimously adopted the charges for all Standing Committees except those of the Senate Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty (SCESF). Discussion on the SCESF charges were tabled for consideration at the next meeting.

Proposal from the 2026 Senate Nominating Committee. On motion and second made, and following discussion, SEC members unanimously adopted a proposal from the Senate Nominating Committee (SNC) to authorize the 2026 members of the committee to serve as non-voting members of the 2027 SNC through June 30, 2027, for the purpose of a pilot program that would assess the effectiveness of potential modifications to SNC’s form and function. SNC will report its findings and recommendations to SEC in May 2027.

Letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education. SEC members discussed potential responses to a letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education, “A National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards,” that was published on August 3, 2026.

The Search for Penn’s 11th President. Faculty members elected by SEC to the Consultative Committee for the Selection of a President listened as SEC members identified strategic priorities for the University as they relate to the qualities needed in Penn’s next president. 

Agenda of the University Council
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
4-6 p.m.; Hall of Flags, Houston Hall

I. Welcome.
II. Appointment of Moderator.
III. Appointment of Parliamentarian.
IV. Approval of the minutes of April 29, 2026.
V. Follow up on comments or questions on Status Reports.
VI. Follow up on University Council Committee Charges for 2026-2027.
VII. Follow up on Focus Issues for 2026-2027.
VIII. Responses to New Business topics raised at the April 29, 2026, University Council meeting.
IX. New Business.
X. Adjournment.

The Penn Professional Staff Assembly (PPSA) is seeking weekly-paid staff members interested in participating in the reestablishment of the Weekly-Paid Professional Staff Assembly (WPPSA).

WPPSA provides an opportunity for weekly-paid staff to come together, share perspectives, and have a voice within University governance, including two seats on University Council.

PPSA is currently working to identify 6–10 members of the weekly-paid staff community who are interested in serving on an interim WPPSA board. This initial group would help establish the foundation for a reconstituted WPPSA, including developing its governance structure, bylaws, and meeting procedures, with the goal of holding formal elections alongside the PPSA election cycle in June 2027.

No prior governance or leadership experience is required. The PPSA is looking for weekly-paid staff members who are interested in getting involved, contributing their perspective, and helping build a sustainable forum for their colleagues.

If you are interested in participating, or would simply like to learn more, please contact PPSA@lists.upenn.edu.

Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. and Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Laura W. Perna have announced the appointment of the eighteenth cohort of Penn Fellows.

The Penn Fellows Program provides leadership development to select Penn faculty in mid-career. 

Launched in 2009, the program includes opportunities to build alliances across the University, meet distinguished academic leaders, think strategically about university governance, and consult with Penn’s senior administrators.

• Carmen Alvarez, the Presidential Associate Professor of Family and Community Health in the School of Nursing, researches community-based health promotion, trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence, and Latinx health, including interventions designed to expand access to mental health support for underserved populations.
• Uduak Andy, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Perelman School of Medicine, studies pelvic floor disorders, including urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, postoperative recovery, and patient-centered outcomes following pelvic floor surgery.
• Brooks Bowden, an associate professor of policy, organizations, leadership, and systems in the Graduate School of Education, studies education policy and economic evaluation, with particular attention to early childhood, student engagement and support, cost-effectiveness, and interventions that can reduce barriers associated with poverty and vulnerability.
• Fritz Breithaupt, a professor of German in the department of Francophone, Italian, and Germanic Studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, is a humanities scholar and a cognitive scientist who works on narratives, empathy, and aesthetics, examining how storytelling shapes the ways people understand and co-experience the world of others.
• S. Pearl Brilmyer, an associate professor of English in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies the history of philosophy, science, and literature, with a focus on the nineteenth-century English novel and related questions about theories of will, sexuality, and materialism.
• Tamara Cadet, an associate professor in the School of Social Policy & Practice, advances health equity through work on health disparities among older adults, particularly cancer screening and cancer care, as well as evidence-based health promotion and access to health services among underserved populations.
• Alonso Carrasco-Labra, a professor of preventive and restorative sciences in the School of Dental Medicine, researches evidence-based healthcare, clinical practice guidelines, and methods for translating research into better oral health policy and clinical decision-making.
• Sebastián Gil-Riaño, an associate professor of the history and sociology of science in the School of Arts & Sciences, is a historian of transnational science focusing on the twentieth-century history of scientific conceptions of race and human diversity, particularly in international organizations and Latin American colonial and postcolonial contexts.
• Kathryn (Kate) Hamilton, an associate professor of pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine, studies the biology of the gut epithelium and intestinal regeneration, including RNA regulation, intestinal stem cells, inflammatory bowel disease, and patient-derived organoid models.
• Michael Harhay, an associate professor of biostatistics, epidemiology and informatics in the Perelman School of Medicine, develops statistical methods, study designs, and outcome measures to improve randomized trials and observational studies, with particular interests in causal inference, Bayesian methods, critical illness, and transplantation outcomes.
• Amy Johnson, the Marilyn M. Simpson Professor of Equine Medicine at the New Bolton Center in the School of Veterinary Medicine, focuses on improving the diagnosis of neurological disease in horses, including botulism, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, Lyme neuroborreliosis, and other neurologic disorders.
• Megan Kassabaum, an associate professor of anthropology in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies the archaeology of North America and the Eastern Woodlands, including Native American and Indigenous studies, monument construction and communal rituals, foodways, ceramic technology, and community archaeology.
• Sarah Lopez, an associate professor of historic preservation in the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, examines the built environment and migration, using material evidence to understand how nearly two centuries of migration between Mexico and the United States have shaped landscapes, architecture, and human experiences.
• Holly Fernandez Lynch, an associate professor of medical ethics and health policy in the Perelman School of Medicine, focuses on clinical research ethics and regulation, FDA pharmaceutical policy, access to investigational medicines outside clinical trials, research prioritization, and the ethics of gatekeeping in healthcare.
• Mona Merling, an associate professor of mathematics in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies algebraic topology and homotopy theory, with particular interests in equivariant algebraic K-theory, equivariant stable homotopy theory, and applications to number theory and manifold theory.
• Joshua Teplitsky, the Joseph Meyerhoff Associate Professor of Modern Jewish History in the School of Arts & Sciences, explores the history of Jewish life in early modern Central Europe, with an eye both to the particularities of Jewish experiences and the wider contexts of Jewish-Christian interaction, minority experience, and what the history of minorities reveals about majority culture.
• Flavia Vitale, an associate professor with appointments in bioengineering and neurology in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Perelman School of Medicine, focuses on neuroengineering, bioelectronics, nanomaterials, and microfabrication, including the development of novel electrodes and neural interfaces for recording and stimulating activity in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
• Rebecca Waller, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences, examines socioemotional and personality development, with a focus on child psychopathology, antisocial behavior, empathy and conscience, parent-child interactions, and how environmental and genetic factors shape brain development.
• Bo Zhen, the Jin K. Lee Presidential Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies electromagnetic waves and light in engineered environments, including exotic phenomena in condensed matter physics and quantum electrodynamics and applications in infrared detection, quantum control, and quantum sensing.

Perry World House (PWH) welcomes thirty-one students to its 2026-27 cohort of World House Student Fellows. Due in large part to the program’s interdisciplinary nature, all four of Penn’s undergraduate schools are represented in this year’s group of fellows.

“I am thrilled to lead this important student program at Perry World House and look forward to engaging with this year’s student fellows,” said Melissa Lee, the Klein Family Presidential associate professor of political science at Penn. “Each fellow brings a unique perspective and academic background, which is part of what makes this program so special. I am delighted to see what this year has in store for all of us.”

The World House Student Fellows meet weekly with academic and policy experts whose work affects global policy. They also work in groups over the course of the academic year to manage a client-driven policy project, working with external partners including non-governmental organizations, government offices, and policy-relevant think tanks. Fellows have the opportunity to meet with additional policy practitioners in the field through trips to Washington, DC, New York City, and abroad.

“The World House Student Fellows Program has been Perry World House’s flagship program for student engagement for ten years,” said PWH director Michael C. Horowitz. “This year’s cohort continues to raise the bar of academic and intellectual excellence that we have come to expect from the World House Student Fellows, and I am excited to see what they will each bring to the program throughout the year.”

The 2026-27 World House Student Fellows are listed below. Asterisks (*) denote returning fellows. 

• *Karam Alkaissy is a senior majoring in chemical and biomolecular engineering and minoring in modern Middle Eastern studies. 
• Sophia-Nicole Bay is a senior in the Huntsman Program studying finance and international studies. 
• Paul Beblavy is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying international relations and East Asian languages and civilizations. 
• *Ivan Boyko is a junior and a Benjamin Franklin Scholar in the College of Arts & Sciences, where he studies national and international security and Earth and environmental science, with a minor in Chinese. 
• Rafaa Bukhary is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying political science and diplomatic history with a minor in legal studies. 
• *Srijay Chenna is a junior in the Jerome Fisher Management & Technology program. 
• Tareque Chowdhury is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, studying Russian and Eastern European studies and political science with a concentration in international relations. 
• Khalil ElBechir is a junior pursuing a dual degree in the Wharton School and the College of Arts & Sciences. At Wharton, he studies economics with concentrations in statistics & data science and behavioral economics; in the College, he studies political science with a concentration in international relations. 
• Jengus Ercil is a senior concentrating in finance and management in the Wharton School. 
• Filmon Gessesse is a sophomore in the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, studying in the Wharton School and the College of Arts & Sciences with a target language concentration in French. 
• *William Grantland is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying East Asian languages & civilizations and international relations. 
• Gabe Greenfield is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, studying political science with a concentration in international relations and a minor in modern Middle Eastern studies. 
• Hazem Hassan is a sophomore in the School of Engineering & Applied Science majoring in mechanical engineering. 
• Gabriel Huang is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in mathematics and political science. 
• Ela Kolonja is a senior in the School of Nursing studying nursing and nutrition science. 
• *Ashwin S. W. Laksumanage is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, pursuing a double major in economics and philosophy with minors in mathematics and international development. 
• Lia Lenthall-Cleary is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in chemistry and minoring in French. 
• David Liu is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying chemistry. 
• Divyansha Nashine is a sophomore in the Jerome Fisher Management & Technology (M&T) Program, pursuing dual degrees in operations, information & decisions (OIDD) at the Wharton School and mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science.
• Daria Oliinyk is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying philosophy, politics, and economics, with minors in economic policy and international development. 
• *Sameeksha Panda is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying chemistry with minors in mathematics and political science. 
• Sanaa Patel is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying philosophy, politics, and economics with minors in legal studies and history. 
• Niklas Romberg is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying international relations with a minor in European studies. 
• Solemei Scamaroni is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying economics and political science. 
• Bhavya Surapaneni is a senior in the School of Engineering & Applied Science studying electrical engineering with minors in mathematics and data science. 
• Adam Sutter is a senior in the Wharton School studying finance and marketing & operations management with a minor in political science. 
• *Ashti Tiwari is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying philosophy, politics, and economics with a concentration in globalization and a minor in data science and analytics. 
• Shivaek Venkateswaran is a senior in the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering & Applied Science studying biology and health policy with a minor in statistics. 
• Kevin Xu is a sophomore in the School of Nursing majoring in nursing and minoring in consumer psychology. 
• *Amelie Zhang is a senior in the Huntsman Program in international studies and business with concentrations in French and finance, along with a minor in Data Science. 
• Calvin Zhou is a sophomore in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology, studying artificial intelligence and finance. 

A century after first opening its Egyptian Galleries, the Penn Museum will unveil its reimagined Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife on December 12, a major milestone in the largest transformation project in the institution’s 139-year history. Drawing from one of the most important Egyptian collections in the United States, the new galleries will bring together more than 1,000 artifacts spanning 4,000 years to explore how ancient Egyptians lived, worked, worshipped, and prepared for eternity.

Representing the first phase of the bi-level 14,000-square-foot Ancient Egypt and Nubia Galleries, the Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife extend across a large, central gallery and three connecting spaces, comprising the entire 7,000-square-foot main level of the museum’s Eckley B. Coxe Wing—first constructed in 1926 and fully renovated ahead of the gallery reinstallation.

“The Egypt Galleries will be a point of pride for Penn and the City of Philadelphia and an international destination for anyone interested in the ancient world,” said Christopher Woods, the Williams Director of the Penn Museum and the Avalon Professor of the Humanities in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences. “A hundred years after these galleries first opened, we are realizing a long-held vision for one of the most significant ancient Egyptian collections and creating a new experience that will invite visitors—from schoolchildren to lifelong learners—to connect with ancient Egypt through the lives, beliefs, and aspirations of the people who created and used the objects on view.”

Through a visitor experience enhanced with multimedia elements, the Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife will present ancient Egyptians not as distant, unknowable figures but as real people with names, families, professions, beliefs, and hopes for the world beyond this life.

At the heart of the galleries will be the newly conserved 4,300-year-old Tomb Chapel of Kaipure (E15729), a high-ranking treasury official during Egypt’s Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE). Excavated more than a century ago at Saqqara—a burial ground near modern-day Cairo—the chapel served as a sacred space where priests performed funerary rites and placed offerings intended to sustain Kaipure in the afterlife.

The Tomb Chapel of Kaipure features a monumental five-ton “false door,” a symbolic threshold through which the deceased’s spirit could access offerings from the living world. Following extensive conservation, the original pigment is now more visible on its nearly 100 carved and painted limestone blocks, providing clearer depictions of everyday life, offerings, rituals, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and representations of Kaipure. Visitors will now be able to enter and move through the chapel, experiencing the space firsthand.

“As one of the largest and most important collections of Egyptian and Nubian antiquities in the U.S., the Penn Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to encounter ancient Egypt at an unparalleled scale,” said Jennifer Houser Wegner, the curator-in-charge of the Egyptian Collection at the Penn Museum. “Part of our goal is to humanize the ancient Egyptians and move beyond the idea that they were concerned only with death. The people who made these artifacts, carved the stone, wrote on papyrus, and painted the statues were once living, breathing individuals. They had jobs, families, relationships, worries, celebrations, and dreams—just as we do.”

Organized chronologically from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Period, the Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife will examine ancient Egyptian civilization through objects, texts, architecture, and interactive experiences that illuminate both daily life and preparations for the afterlife.

In an Introduction section, guests will encounter a timeline of ancient Egyptian history and a large interactive map indicating Egypt’s and Nubia’s location within the continent of Africa—highlighting the sites where Penn archaeologists have led excavations for more than 100 years, including those of Abydos and Dra’ Abu el-Naga.

The Life Along the Nile area will explore how ancient Egyptians lived and worked through the objects and extensive writings they left behind. Visitors can engage with the past in new ways through interactive elements, such as tactile blocks that show how sentences are constructed using hieroglyphs; protective drawers housing delicate papyrus manuscripts; and a 3-D model of an ancient Egyptian home during the New Kingdom. A whimsical animation of The Instruction of Dua-Khety, also known as The Satire of the Trades, will bring to life one of ancient Egypt’s notable literary works, in which a father encourages his son to become a scribe by humorously exaggerating the hardships of other professions, from bricklayer to fisherman. In addition, tools, raw materials, crafts, and furniture will reveal the textures of everyday life.

The Journey to the Afterlife section will explore ancient Egyptian funerary beliefs, deities, rituals, and burial preparations. On view will be objects considered essential for a successful afterlife, including canopic jars used to protect internal organs, boat models for transportation, and funerary masks.

The Main Gallery, along with two adjacent smaller galleries, will house a chronological presentation of evolving burial practices across ancient Egyptian history. Objects related to mummification and burial—including beautifully decorated coffins, stelae, cartonnage, funerary statues, amulets, heart scarabs, and an embalming tool—will show how preparations for eternity changed over thousands of years. A focal point of this section will be a wall displaying nearly 100 mounted “shabti” figurines, which were believed to carry out agricultural work and other tasks for the deceased in the next world.

Throughout the galleries, ancient Egyptian names and language will be used to identify individuals whenever possible. This approach reflects the ancient Egyptian belief that preserving a person’s name was essential to sustaining their identity in the afterlife. For example, the funerary stela of Nefersefekhy from the First Intermediate Period lists his name and requests eternal offerings of food and drink, ensuring his continued sustenance beyond death. 

“To stand inside a reconstructed Old Kingdom chapel outside of Egypt is an extraordinary experience,” explained Zahi Hawass, an internationally renowned Egyptian archaeologist, former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs, and a PhD graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. “Few museums in the world could accomplish a project of this scale. The conservation and reconstruction of this monument represent an exceptional achievement, allowing visitors to experience ancient Egypt in a way that is unforgettable. The Penn Museum has created something remarkable that will inspire future generations to appreciate ancient Egyptian civilization.”

The second phase, the Egypt and Nubia Galleries: Royalty and Religion, will showcase the colossal 3,000-year-old palace of the Pharaoh Merneptah, with towering 30-foot columns displayed at their full height for the first time since their excavation more than 100 years ago. Scheduled to open in 2029, these galleries will be located on the Penn Museum’s Upper Level—completing the five-year Ancient Egypt and Nubia Galleries transformation. 

“The new galleries at the Penn Museum represent an exciting new chapter in sharing the story of ancient Egypt and Nubia,” added Dr. Hawass. “They bring together more than a century of archaeological discovery with innovative displays that allow visitors to experience these remarkable civilizations in a new way. The Penn Museum is home to one of the finest Egyptian and Nubian collections in the U.S., and these galleries showcase it with outstanding scholarship, thoughtful interpretation, and a respect for the people who created these extraordinary objects. Visitors can appreciate these masterpieces knowing they were responsibly and legally acquired through scientific excavation and long-standing archaeological partnerships with Egypt. That confidence allows people to focus on the beauty, history, and enduring legacy of ancient Egypt and Nubia. These are galleries that people will want to visit again and again.”

In addition to the opening celebration on December 12, hour-long public tours through the Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife will be offered most Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m., from December 19, 2026 through March 27, 2027.

The Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife were made possible with lead support from the Selz Foundation and Lisa and Bernard Selz, with additional support from the Graham Family Foundation, Ingrid A. Graham and Donald C. Graham, and Erica Weissman Desai, C’96, and Anand Desai, C’96, W’96.

Adapted from a Penn Museum news release, July 27, 2026.

The Penn Professional Staff Assembly (PPSA), in collaboration with the Office of the Executive Vice President and the Division of Human Resources, will host the 2026 Employee Resource Fair on Thursday, October 1, 2026. It will be held in the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Employee Resource Fair is a chance to connect directly with Penn staff, showcase the resources and opportunities you offer, and strengthen the network of support across the University. This free annual event is open to all Penn staff and faculty. Shredding services will be available onsite.

Registration is still open to be a vendor at the fair by visiting https://upenn.irisregistration.com/Form/ERF2026. Vendors may arrive at 11 a.m. to set up. 

We ask that you please mark your calendars. We look forward to having you with us.

—Elona Canaj, PPSA Chair-Elect, Educational Tech, Penn Vet 

—Justin D. Purohit, PPSA Chair, Manager, Accounting Operations, Division of Finance

—Dawn Maglicco Deitch, PPSA Past-Chair, Executive Director, Office of Government and Community Affairs 

Climate Week at Penn will be held October 5-9, 2026. This year’s theme is Empowerment and Action. The Penn community is invited to begin planning to be part of the seventh annual campus-wide program. Think about how to engage and involve your departments, classes, and students in this annual program. Past Climate Week events have included in-person, hands-on activities, Zoom panel discussions, tabling events, community tours, film screenings, and more. Visit the website to learn more or add your event to the calendar: https://climateweek.provost.upenn.edu/.

Morris Arboretum’s Scarecrow Design Contest is back, and this year’s theme is: From 1776 to the Future: Celebrating the 70s Across Time.

This Halloween, we’re taking a trip through the 70s—any 70s! In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, participants can create scarecrows inspired by the 1770s, the 1970s, the 2070s, or any decade ending in “70” throughout history. From Revolutionary War patriots and disco dancers to futuristic explorers and beyond, the possibilities are endless. Take us on a journey through time and show us your unique vision of the 70s!

See the spooktacular designs on display throughout the Morris from October 1 through November 1. Visitors will vote on-site October 1 through October 18 for their favorite scarecrow to determine the winners. The top three scarecrows win a cash prize—top prize is $300.

Registration ends Friday, September 25. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Supplies can be picked up September 12–26. Pickup of the scarecrow frame, straw, burlap and twine occurs at the Morris’s front gate during public hours. Scarecrows can be dropped off September 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bloomfield Farm, directly across from the entrance to the Morris.

For more information, visit https://www.morrisarboretum.org/see-do/events/scarecrow-design-contest. 

Learning & Workshops

9          Research GPS: Finding a Research Mentor; finding a good fit mentor is an important step in your undergraduate research journey; learn about how CURF can help you identify, contact, and connect with potential faculty mentors; 4 p.m.; room 108, ARCH (Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships).

10        Immigrant Justice Lunchtime Workshop With Woori Center; learn about a grassroots non-profit group based in Greater Philadelphia that organizes Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, racial, and economic justice in Pennsylvania; noon; suite 310, 3600 Market Street (Korean Studies).

15        Truman Scholarship Information Session; first-, second-, and third-year students are invited to learn about an opportunity that awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college juniors who plan to pursue careers in government or in public service; 4 p.m.; room G08/09, College Hall (Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships).

            La Casa Latina Procession of Flags and Open House; annual procession of flags down Locust Walk, culminating in an open house event to learn about a center that promotes greater awareness of Latinx issues, culture, and identity at Penn; 5 p.m.; lobby, ARCH (La Casa Latina).

Graduate School of Education

Except as noted, online events. Info: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news-and-events/events-calendar.

11        Information Session: The New Athletics Enterprise Certificate Program; noon.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens

In-person events at Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Info and to register: https://www.morrisarboretum.org/see-do/events-calendar.

10        Wine, Cheese, and Trees; three sites will feature staff-favorite wines and cheese plates to enjoy as you wander and explore these remarkable locations; 5:30 p.m.; register: $45/general, $40/members.

Penn Libraries

Various locations. Info and to register: https://www.library.upenn.edu/events.

8          Introduction to ArcGIS Online; a hands-on introduction to ArcGIS Online, the powerful, cloud-based platform that makes creating professional web maps accessible to everyone; 4 p.m.; Research Data & Digital Scholarship Exchange, Van Pelt Library. Also September 10, online.

9          Crafternoons in Vitale II; students are invited to take a study break, have some fun and explore your creative side; 2-4 p.m.; room 623, Van Pelt Library.

10        Coffee with a Codex: A Bible at Swarthmore; virtually visit Swarthmore College to take a look at their late 13^th century Bible; noon; online webinar.

            Welcome Back, Second Year Students!; Learning Enrichment invites returning second-year students to an afternoon of study break activities; 3 p.m.; Education Commons.

15        Library 101 (How Do I Library?); introductory workshop that will cover finding, checking out, and renewing books at the Penn Libraries, how you can get PDF scans of articles, and the best way to quickly get books from other libraries; 1 p.m.; room 114, Van Pelt Library.

Readings & Signings

Kelly Writers House

In-person events at Kelly Writers House. Info and to register: https://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/0926.php.

14        100 Jars of Honey: Live Audio Storytelling; Mike Williams, audio documentary maker; 6 p.m.

Talks

9          Building Hope in Gaza; David Hasan, Duke University; noon; Perry World House and online livestream; register: https://perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/events/building-hope-in-gaza/ (Perry World House).

            Designing Programmable Biologics with Generative Sequence Models; Pranam Chatterjee, Institute for Regenerative Medicine; noon; Austrian Auditorium, Rubenstein Building (Microbiology).

            Distributional Robustness Under the Microscope: Empirical and Theoretical Case Studies in Old-School Neural Network Learning; Vidya Muthukumar, Georgia Institute of Technology; noon; room 414, Gutmann Hall, and Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/97645937545 (SEAS ASSET Center).

            When the Plant Closes: Modernizing Unemployment Insurance for Climate and Industrial Shocks; Michele Evermore, National Employment Law Project; Ioana Marinescu, SP2; Heather Boushey, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy; noon; online webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/kleinman-center-talk-sep-9 (Kleinman Center for Energy Policy; Penn Climate).

            Biology by Design: From Directed Evolution to Autonomous Experimentation; Huimin Zhao, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering).

            The Turbulent Lives of Young Galaxies; Claude-Andre Faucher Giguere, Northwestern University; 3:30 p.m.; room 4E19, DRL (Physics & Astronomy).

            Management Strategies for Epilepsy in the Dental Environment; Robert Frare, Penn Dental Medicine; 5:30 p.m.; online webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/frare-talk-sep-9 (Penn Dental Medicine).

            Rooms: Ways of Living, Ways of Building; Marta Peris and José Toral, architects; 6:30 p.m.; Plaza Gallery, Meyerson Hall (Architecture).

10        Tuning the Dielectric Constant of Polymeric Materials with Zwitterions; Robert J. Hickey, Pennsylvania State University; 10:30 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Materials Science & Engineering).

            Integrating Mutualisms Into the Ecology and Evolution of Defense; Corlett Wood, biology; noon; room 109, Leidy Laboratory, and Zoom webinar; join: https://tinyurl.com/biology-seminars-fall-2026 (Biology).

            Archival Methods for Religious Studies; Reyhan Durmaz, Megan Eaton Robb, and Donovan Schaefer, religious studies; 3:30 p.m.; room 204, Cohen Hall (Religious Studies).

            On Petascale Varifold Models for Neuroimaging: From Tissue to Transcript to Tangle; Michael I. Miller, Johns Hopkins University; 3:30 p.m.; Berger Auditorium, Skirkanich Hall (Bioengineering).

            Empire in the Everyday: Semi-Governmental Organizations and the Transformation of Agriculture in Colonial Korea; Holly Stephens, University of Edinburgh; 5:15 p.m.; room 111, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/stephens-talk-sep-10 (Center for East Asian Studies).

11        Communicating Medicine: Using Evidence to Talk to Patients and the Media; Anne Cappola, medicine; noon; room 500, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/cappola-talk-sep-11 (Annenberg School for Communication).

            The Pecia System and the Medieval University Book Trade, ca. 1200-1340; Alison Ray, Royal Irish Academy Library; noon; online webinar; register: https://libcal.library.upenn.edu/calendar/kislak/pecia-system (Penn Libraries).

14        The War in Iran at Six Months; Michael Horowitz, Perry World House; Brendan O'Leary, political science; Fatemeh Shams, Persian literature; noon; room 250, PCPSE; register: https://tinyurl.com/sas-forum-sep-14 (School of Arts & Sciences Community Forum).

            Monstrous Conceptions; Miriam Rich, University of Texas Medical Branch; 3:30 p.m.; room 392, Cohen Hall (History & Sociology of Science).

            A Fireside Chat; Leslie Richards, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies; Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia; 6 p.m.; Kleinman Forum, Fisher Fine Arts Library (City & Regional Planning).

15        Digital Twins & Shadows for Ambient and Embodied Surgical AI; Mathias Unberath, Johns Hopkins University; noon; room 414, Gutmann Hall, and Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/unberath-talk-sep-15 (PennAI).

            “A Republic, If You Can Keep It”: Ben Franklin, the Constitution, and Civic Participation; Stacy Schiff, author and historian; Akhil Reed Amar, Yale University; Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives; noon; Perry World House and online livestream; register: https://tinyurl.com/pwh-talk-sep-15 (Perry World House).

            Towards Macroscopic Superpositions with Levitated Diamond Crystals; Gurudev Dutt, University of Pittsburgh; 2 p.m.; room 225, Towne Building, and Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/97854653721 (Quantum Information, Engineering, Science and Technology Center).

Chemistry

In-person events at Carolyn Hoff Lynch Lecture Hall, 1973 Chemistry Building. Info: https://www.chem.upenn.edu/events.

15        Locality as a Design Variable at Interfaces; Sarah King, University of Chicago; noon.

Economics

In-person events. Info: https://economics.sas.upenn.edu/events.

8          Orders of Similarity: Concentration Along the Diagonal; Joyee Deb, New York University; 4 p.m.; room 203, PCPSE.

10        Ordinal Complementarity; Joseph Mullins, Minnesota University; 3:30 p.m.; room 101, PCPSE.

15        Belief Updating Without Complete Trust; Yuzhao Yang, University of Michigan; 4 p.m.; room 203, PCPSE.

This is an update to the September AT PENN calendar, which is online now. Submit events to almanac@upenn.edu by Monday, September 14 for the October AT PENN calendar.

Division of Public Safety
University of Pennsylvania Police Department Crime Report

About the Crime Report: Below are the Crimes Against Persons and/or Crimes Against Property from the campus report for August 24-30, 2026. The Crime Reports are available at: https://almanac.upenn.edu/sections/crimes. Prior weeks’ reports are also online. –Eds.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety (DPS) and contains all criminal incidents reported and made known to the Penn Police, including those reported to the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) that occurred within our patrol zone, for the dates of August 24-30, 2026. The Penn Police actively patrol from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from 30^th Street to 43^rd Street in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police.

In this effort to provide you with a thorough and accurate report on public safety concerns, we hope that your increased awareness will lessen the opportunity for crime. For any concerns or suggestions regarding this report, please call DPS at (215) 898-7297. You may view the daily crime log on the DPS website.

Penn Police Patrol Zone
Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from 30^th Street to 43^rd Street

Philadelphia Police 18th District
Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 11 incidents were reported for August 24-30, 2026 by the 18^th District, covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

The Division of Public Safety offers resources and support to the Penn community. DPS developed a few helpful risk reduction strategies outlined below. Know that it is never the fault of the person impacted (victim/survivor) by crime.

• See something concerning? Connect with Penn Public Safety 24/7 at (215) -573-3333.
• Worried about a friend’s or colleague’s mental or physical health? Get 24/7 connection to appropriate resources at (215) 898-HELP (4357).
• Seeking support after experiencing a crime? Call Special Services - Support and Advocacy resources at (215) 898-4481 or email an advocate at specialservices@publicsafety.upenn.edu
• Use the Walking Escort and Riding services available to you free of charge.
• Take a moment to update your cellphone information for the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System
• Download the Penn Guardian App which can help Police better find your location when you call in an emergency.
• Access free self-empowerment and defense courses through Penn DPS.
• Stay alert and reduce distractions; using cellphones, ear buds, etc. may limit your awareness.
• Orient yourself to your surroundings. (Identify your location, nearby exits, etc.)
• Keep your valuables out of sight and only carry necessary documents.

On behalf of Penn Nursing’s Office of School and Community Engagement and Penn Medicine’s Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy, the Penn community is invited to an upcoming Narcan and Harm Reduction Educational Training on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. To RSVP, click here.

The training will take place in the Claire M. Fagin Hall at Penn Nursing from 3-4 p.m. It includes an educational presentation on opioid use disorder, free Narcan and test strips, how to recognize/reverse an overdose, resource sharing, information about the current local drug supply, and anti-stigma training. 

Here in Philadelphia, substance use continues to profoundly impact our community. The overdose crisis is not abstract; it is local, visible, and deeply personal. Expanding access to recovery resources, increasing awareness, and strengthening harm reduction efforts are critical to our city’s collective well-being.

Learn how to recognize and reverse an overdose, receive free Narcan and test strips, and leave with practical, life-saving skills. In our city, being prepared to respond is an act of community care. Let’s show up for Philadelphia—and for one another.

Parking at Penn Nursing is limited. It is recommended to park in a local parking garage and then walk through campus to Penn Nursing (Claire Fagin Hall—418 Curie Blvd.). There are parking garages at the following locations: Walnut 40 Garage (40th and Walnut St.), Walnut 38 Garage (119 S. 38th St.), Walnut 32 Garage (3201 Walnut St.), Chestnut 34 Garage (3335 Chestnut St.), and the Museum Garage (Convention Ave. near the Penn Museum).

On July 12, 2026, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a series of bills into law as passed by the General Assembly, completing work on the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. The spending plan totals $50.8 billion. 

Among highlights of interest to Penn, the School of Veterinary Medicine is level funded at $33.353 million. Penn Vet’s nonpreferred appropriations bill passed the state House and Senate on votes of 195-7 and 47-3, respectively, demonstrating broad, bipartisan support. The budget also continues funding for the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, the animal diagnostic laboratory at New Bolton Center, and the Pennsylvania Equine and Toxicology Research Laboratory.

The General Assembly also authorized $125 million for the Governor’s Innovate in PA 2.0 proposal. This economic development initiative will award grants to support life sciences and biotechnology startups, workforce development partnerships, regional venture studios, and other state investments that can be used to leverage federal research and technology funding. 

Finally, the legislature authorized the state Department of Health to allow one-year extensions on grant agreements for projects supported by the Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement Program. Penn and other in-state research institutions advocated strongly for this change. 

Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Security, Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy

View, Validate, and Voice

Phishing attacks continue to target universities through email, text messages, phone calls, fake websites, QR codes, and fraudulent Duo authentication requests. Cybercriminals often impersonate trusted organizations, coworkers, IT staff, financial institutions, or government agencies to steal credentials, financial information, or personal data. According to data breach reports, 91% of higher education institutions have experienced a cyberattack or breach in the last 12 months. So, by following three simple steps, you can protect your Penn sensitive data from phishing attacks. 

View—Spot the Red Flags

Before clicking a link, opening an attachment, scanning a QR code, or approving a login request, take a moment to inspect the message carefully. Be cautious of urgent requests, unexpected password reset notices, direct deposit changes, account verification demands, gift card requests, or messages pressuring you to act immediately. Check sender addresses for misspellings, hover over links to see their true destination, and be wary of unexpected Duo pushes that you did not initiate.

Validate—Verify Before You Trust

If a request appears to come from a colleague, supervisor, vendor, bank, or IT support team, verify it through a trusted channel before responding. Call the person directly using a known phone number, visit the organization’s website by typing the address yourself, and never share passwords or multi-factor authentication codes. If something feels unusual, pause and verify.

Voice—Report and Speak Up

Reporting suspicious activity helps protect the entire Penn community. If you receive a suspicious email, text, phone call, QR code, or Duo prompt, report it immediately to your local IT support team or security@isc.upenn.edu. Early reporting helps stop attacks before others become victims.

Remember: View the message, Validate the request, and Use Your Voice to report suspicious activity.

For more information about phishing visit https://isc.upenn.edu/security/phishing-aware. 

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For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: https://isc.upenn.edu/security/news-alerts%23One-Step-Ahead.