September 17, 2024 Volume 71 Issue 6

Following our receipt of the report of the Consultative Review Committee on the Reappointment of Andrew M. Hoffman as the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, we are pleased to recommend to the Trustees the reappointment of Dean Hoffman for a second term, to extend to June 30, 2030.

In March 2024, the Consultative Review Committee began work on a comprehensive review of Dean Hoffman’s major first-term accomplishments. Our charge further required the committee to identify emerging challenges and opportunities facing the school. In addition, we asked that the committee’s review carefully weigh the aims of In Principle and Practice, the University’s strategic framework.

• The committee was united in its assessment: Dean Hoffman is an empathetic, visionary, and effective leader who will steer the school to continued success. His first term has been marked by substantial enhancements to the educational, clinical, and research strengths of the Penn Vet community. These include:
• The successful reaccreditation of Penn Vet by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2024, with particular commendation for faculty recruitment, successful implementation of a new curriculum, and strength of the VMD-PhD program.
• The expansion and advancement of Penn Vet’s DEI initiatives. In 2021, Dean Hoffman hired Penn Vet’s first Chief Diversity Officer. Under the dean’s leadership, diversity of the student body has significantly increased.
• The establishment of new interdisciplinary research programs that further distinguish the school. These include the Wildlife Futures Program (2019), the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases (2021), the Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security (2022), and the mRNA Research Initiative (2024).
• A strong commitment to partnership between Penn Vet and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This ongoing work includes joint efforts to support animal health and productivity, animal welfare, disease surveillance, sustainable agriculture, integrity of the horseracing industry, and wildlife health.
• The successful implementation of a redesigned first-year curriculum in FY23. A new school-wide curriculum—focused on earlier entry into clinical rotations, new clinical competencies, surgical skills, communications training, a focus on professional identity, and diversity—has been developed for launch in FY25.
• An impressive funding and revenue record. Penn Vet has the highest average NIH grant dollar per award of any school of veterinary medicine. From FY2018 to FY2024, research revenues from federal, commonwealth, and private sources have significantly increased.
• The establishment of innovative dual degree programs with five Penn schools: the Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Carey Law School, Wharton School, School of Arts & Sciences, and School of Social Policy & Practice.

The committee included six faculty members, two students, and one alumnus. Together, they reviewed budget, enrollment, and employment data, as well as conducted surveys. They interviewed the dean and held numerous meetings with Penn Vet faculty, staff, students, and postdoctoral researchers. They invited the entire school community to participate in open meetings and to contribute confidential feedback. We are grateful to the committee, under the leadership of Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing Antonia M. Villarruel, for their comprehensive and dedicated efforts in appraising Dean Hoffman’s first term.    

In every forum, the dean’s many accomplishments were detailed: the positive effect of his collegial and supportive leadership style; his achievements in research and clinical excellence; his successes in fundraising, faculty recruitment, infrastructure renewal; and more.

We wholeheartedly agree with the members of this Consultative Review Committee and will enthusiastically recommend to the Trustees that Andrew M. Hoffman be reappointed as the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

—J. Larry Jameson, Interim President
—John L. Jackson, Jr., Provost

September 10, 2024

The University of Pennsylvania of today is a product of each of its 284 years of history. Our storied traditions help us rise to contemporary challenges and opportunities.

Today, Penn is introducing two new institutional positions: a Statement of University Values and a Statement Upholding Academic Independence. These statements sit alongside two older collections of words, one from last year, and one from 1755.

The words from 1755 comprise our Latin motto, Leges Sine Moribus Vanae, commonly translated into English as “laws without morals are useless.” These few words communicate deeply. The motto urges us to do what is good and practical, and also what is right. This spirit has guided Penn for centuries, and I am proud to be part of an institution built upon such a motto.

The words from 2023 were expressed by In Principle and Practice. This strategic framework was the product of a year-long process to address how Penn’s history and present resources can help guide our approaches to benefiting the world. The words reflect how we are anchored, interwoven, inventive, and engaged, and they chart a course for our actions. We are on that course now. We have already announced Penn Washington to strengthen our position in our nation’s Capital. We are simultaneously integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into research and education, advancing the arts, and accelerating efforts to battle climate change. We will soon be announcing an internal initiative to stimulate even more creative approaches to support our strategic framework. Like our motto from 1755, the words of In Principle and Practice also guide us.

Today, we introduce a Statement of University Values. These values are also a product of our long history, and yet re-presenting them in new words today carries added importance. Over the past months, we have found ourselves reacting to the events of the world and responding to events on our campus. Both the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community and the University Task Force on Antisemitism called for an explicit articulation of our values to help guide us through these challenges. Like the committee that developed In Principle and Practice, the task force and commission sought and received broad input about our values from the Penn community. The current statement reflects this input and aspires to capture what is distinctive about Penn. Our values were always there and are best revealed through our actions. But the words we use to express them are guideposts along the way. I urge you to read and reflect upon those words.

Today, Penn also introduces Upholding Academic Independence. Over the years, and with increasing frequency, leaders across the University—indeed, across most universities—have made public statements in response to external events. By and large, these messages sought to provide acknowledgement and solidarity following often horrific circumstances. Although well-meaning, these institutional messages fundamentally compete with the free and unencumbered creation and expression of ideas by individuals. Going forward, the University of Pennsylvania and its leaders will refrain from institutional statements made in response to local and world events. By quieting Penn’s institutional voice, we hope to amplify the expertise and voices within.

The release of this new guidance should not be construed as fear to take a studied position. Quite the opposite, it is a confirmation of our commitment to academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas. Likewise, the timing should not be interpreted as a response to past or upcoming events, or prior institutional positions. We will, of course, continue to communicate about policies and activities that have direct relevance to the University’s missions and its operations. This new guidance represents the culmination of intensive deliberation about how Penn and its leaders can best support our mission and our community—now, and moving forward.

The University of Pennsylvania is a scholarly community, reflecting a complex set of resources, relationships, and responsibilities. We are guided by framing and foundational words from hundreds of years ago, from last year, and from today. Over time, new words will capture and shape how we define and describe ourselves and chart our course. We are, and hope to forever be, a work in progress, and an institution that creates and disseminates knowledge for good.

—J. Larry Jameson, Interim President

Kevin Mahoney, chief executive officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), and Jonathan A. Epstein, William Wikoff Smith Professor, interim executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and interim dean of the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM), have announced the appointment of Lisa M. Bellini as executive vice dean of PSOM and senior vice president of academic affairs in UPHS. Dr. Bellini’s impressive leadership has extended over 25 years at Penn, and in the last few years in particular, amidst a global pandemic and a focus on professionalism and open expression, Dr. Bellini has provided sound, thoughtful, and transparent guidance across the University. Her extensive record of success and expansive portfolio of activities enable her to integrate further key areas of Penn Medicine as it advances to the implementation phase of its strategic plan, Serving a Changing World.

In this new role, Dr. Bellini will continue to focus on academic affairs, including faculty affairs and professional development, which are the foundation of PSOM’s learning and working environments, promoting a just culture through professionalism, supporting the mental health of PSOM’s workforce through Penn COBALT, overseeing further integration of Penn and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and managing executive recruitment for the school. In addition, she will chair the PSOM Education Council and provide oversight on graduate medical education (GME) in order to further integrate the continuum of education at Penn Medicine.

Dr. Bellini has held many education leadership roles in the department of medicine and the school, most notably as the program director of internal medicine and associate dean for GME. She currently serves as the director of GME Programs for the Penn-VinUni Alliance in Vietnam, which has led to the development and implementation of competency-based residency programs in internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery that have now all received ACGME I accreditation.

Nationally, Dr. Bellini has served on numerous committees with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, National Academy of Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, Macy Foundation, Association of American Medical Colleges, the Alliance of Academic Internal Medicine, and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). She currently serves on the NBME Council and its Global Advisory and Engagement Committees. In recognition of her national and Penn community service, Dr Bellini has won numerous education and leadership awards, including a Penn Pearl, the Lindback award for excellence in teaching, the lifetime achievement award from the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, and, most recently, the Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teachers award from the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Dr. Bellini has a longstanding interest in medical education research, which is driven by the belief that the system of medical education needs rigorous study to identify the best tools and methods to predict competency and train the next generation of education leaders. Her research has focused on medical education broadly with a particular interest on the health and well-being of residents and faculty.

As evidenced by her leadership and dedication to medical education and research (as well as active clinical practice—she continues to see patients in addition to her administrative responsibilities), Dr. Bellini is a valued partner and represents Penn Medicine with honor.

Andrew M. Hoffman, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has named Erin Gibson, an assistant professor, clinician-educator track, in the department of clinical sciences and advanced medicine, the Pamela Cole Career Development Chair of Small Animal Minimally Invasive Surgery. The Pamela Cole Professorship supports promising, early career faculty engaged in companion animal research.

Dr. Gibson joined Penn Vet’s faculty in 2022. Her research in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) focuses on new techniques for embolization, or blocking blood vessels, to cancerous regions in the liver. Given the challenges of safely performing invasive surgical reduction of the liver with cancer, the method of depriving cancerous tissues of blood circulation is proving to be a safer and effective surgical solution.

The author or co-author of 15 peer-reviewed papers, Dr. Gibson is currently co-PI on two grants investigating MIS techniques in companion animals with hepatocellular cancer.

Dr. Gibson graduated magna cum laude from California Polytechnic University with a BSc in animal science. She received her DVM from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis). After veterinary school, Dr. Gibson was a small animal medicine and surgery intern at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical College. After her internship, Dr. Gibson returned to her veterinary school alma mater, UC Davis, where she was a surgery resident and a surgery fellow. She is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (small animal) and has recently been named a fellow of the ACVS in recognition of her continued work on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of animal patients undergoing MIS therapies.

“Dr. Gibson is an outstanding example of professionalism and talent and a role model for house officers, peers, and other faculty,” said Mark Oyama, chair of the department of clinical sciences and advanced medicine and the Charlotte Newton Sheppard Endowed Professor of Medicine. “In her relatively short time at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Gibson has distinguished herself through her talent for scholarly activity, maturity, collegiality, and positive impact on our mission to deliver outstanding care and education and make new discoveries that will improve the health and wellbeing of animals.”

The awarding of endowed professorships is the highest honor bestowed upon faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. Endowed professorships reflect excellence in scholarly achievement; and embody a commitment to scientific discovery, clinical excellence, mentorship, and service to the University.

The University of Pennsylvania is announcing a new grant initiative, Draw Down the Lightning, to advance its strategic framework, In Principle and Practice. In Principle and Practice is Penn’s focus on tomorrow. Developed around the question, “What does the world need from Penn?” it reflects Penn’s highest aspirations and more pressing imperatives. The fall 2023 launch of this strategic framework energized and aligned University programming to meet these goals.

In Benjamin Franklin’s words, “draw down the lightning” was a call to pursue the power of knowledge for the benefit of humanity. Through a series of Draw Down the Lightning grants, Penn aims to energize activity around Penn’s highest aspirations and pressing imperatives.

The Office of the President and Office of the Provost invite the Penn community to propose projects that will advance In Principle and Practice, reflect the University’s distinctive identity and values, and help Penn build a better future for the world.

Proposals may come from any combination of students, staff, and faculty, and can be directed toward any combination of the four principles and five practices of the strategic framework. In particular, proposals should articulate a project that focuses on one or more of the following: (1) accelerating interdisciplinarity; (2) a focus on major challenges around climate, health, data, and/or truth and democracy; (3) strengthening community; (4) deepening engagement with local, regional, and global partners; and, (5) fostering leadership and service. For example, programs could:

• Create a new undergraduate or graduate degree program investigating great challenges of our time
• Establish a new and enduring partnership with the City of Philadelphia to address a deep challenge or an exciting opportunity
• Support truth over disinformation
• Implement other initiatives consistent with In Principle and Practice

This solicitation is not intended to support individual research projects, but to expand areas of scholarship, advance community service or engagement, promote civil discourse and enrich campus life—or anything else reflected in In Principle and Practice that can better equip Penn to serve its missions. The breadth of this solicitation is meant to encourage creativity and inventiveness, and to originate programs that will cultivate a lasting legacy to Penn’s identity and future.

Penn has set aside $2 million through the fall of 2027 to fund these initiatives, with the expectation that successful programs will, in general, receive in-kind support from originating schools, centers, and departments or additional financial support to supplement these central funds.

Grants will be awarded in two basic funding levels: [1] programs requesting less than $50,000; [2] programs requesting between $50,000 and $250,000. Program budgets should not exceed two years, though most will be one year.

The program follows a two-stage application. Interested applicants should submit a short letter of intent here. Those with promising ideas will be invited to submit a slightly more extensive proposal. General program information, submission instructions, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and where to go with questions are available on the initiative website, which also includes a list of frequently asked questions.  

Proposals will be judged by their alignment with In Principle and Practice, the feasibility of their proposed timeline, and how creatively they can provide a distinctive legacy for Penn. Programs that cross schools, centers, and disciplines are strongly encouraged. This year’s application deadline for initial proposals is October 28, 2024. The final grant awards are expected to be given in March 2025. Questions should be directed to Eugene Vaynberg at eugenev@upenn.edu.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine will receive $33.553 million as a direct appropriation under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget. In July, the General Assembly approved, and Governor Josh Shapiro signed, House Bill 613 (now Act 11A of 2024), appropriating funds to Penn Vet and four state-related institutions of higher education (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh). From funds appropriated to Penn Vet, the General Assembly made $200,000 available for expenses the school incurred in Fiscal Year 2023-2024. No other funding was appropriated to Penn Vet for FY2023-2024.

The Commonwealth’s General Fund Appropriations Act (Act 1A of 2024, previously Senate Bill 1001) includes separate indirect appropriations to support Penn Vet programs. These appropriations include $250,000 through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s Search and Rescue line item for the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, and $11.35 million to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, approximately half of which will support the veterinary diagnostic laboratory at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center.

Paul Charles Atkins, a professor of medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine, died on September 1, 2024. He was 81.

Born in New York City, Dr. Atkins graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University in 1963, followed by an MD from New York Medical College in 1967. He completed his fellowship in allergy and immunology at Penn in 1972.

From 1972 to 1974 he served in the Army Medical Corps in Tacoma, Washington. Following his military service, Dr. Atkins began his career at Penn, where he was appointed to the faculty in 1974 as an assistant professor and he rose to the rank of professor of medicine. He joined the 25-Year Club in 1999 and retired in 2007.

Dr. Atkins is survived by his wife, Elaine Atkins; his children, Daniel Atkins (Michelle) and Jennifer Armstrong (Robert); his grandchildren, Eve Atkins, Michael Atkins, Lena Armstrong, and Debby Armstrong; and his brothers, Marc Atkins (Mary Lou Stewart) and Carl Atkins (Cindy).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice in Dr. Atkins’ honor online at https://delawareccj.org/.

Stuart Samuels, a former assistant professor of history in the School of Arts and Sciences, died on August 2 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 84.

Dr. Samuels earned his bachelor of arts from Rutgers University before pursuing his PhD at Stanford University.In 1968, Dr. Samuels joined Penn’s faculty as a lecturer of film history in the department of history in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He was a trailblazer in teaching cultural history through feature films, creating the groundbreaking course “Film as Social and Intellectual History,” the first in the nation’s history departments to use feature films as a tool to explore the relationship between popular culture and intellectual history. In 1972, he was promoted to assistant professor of history, and he continued his career at Penn until leaving in 1981.

During his time in Philadelphia, Dr. Samuels co-founded the Walnut Street Theatre Film/Video Center alongside Ruth Perlmutter, a co-founder of the city’s film festival.

Dr. Samuels’ productions received widespread recognition, including his 1993 film Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography, which won numerous accolades, including the Best Documentary award from the New York Film Critics Circle. He returned to Penn in 2021 to lead a discussion titled “Remembering the ‘60s: A Cultural Revolution,” reflecting on that transformative era.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Kappel, and his son, David.

Willis “Lee” Stetson, Jr., GED’71, Penn’s former dean of admissions, died on July 31. He was 82.

Born in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Mr. Stetson graduated from the University of Delaware in 1963. Following his graduation, he served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he was responsible for communications and coordination of troop movements. After completing his military service, Mr. Stetson briefly taught at Springfield High School before returning to the University of Delaware, working in the office of admissions. While rising to the role of director of admissions at Delaware, he also earned a master’s degree in psychological services from Penn in 1971.

In 1978, Mr. Stetson joined Penn as director of admissions and was appointed dean of admissions in 1981. He held the position for over 25 years, becoming one of the longest-serving admissions deans in the Ivy League. Under his leadership, applications to Penn tripled as he implemented a strategy to diversify the University’s undergraduate applicant pool, expanding outreach to prospective students from across the United States and around the world. Mr. Stetson stepped down as dean of admissions in 2007 (Almanac September 4, 2007). Upon his retirement, then-Penn president Amy Gutmann said, “A witness to the ever-changing landscape of college admissions, Lee has been tireless in his commitment to sustain and enhance Penn’s reputation for excellence. During his tenure, Penn has grown in stature to become a truly eminent international university. Lee’s commitment to accessibility in higher education has enabled us to reach out broadly to exceptional students from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Lee’s many notable achievements during his years at Penn are demonstrated by the growing quality and quantity of our recent admitted classes. This year, only 16.1 percent of applicants were accepted into the class of 2011, the lowest acceptance rate in Penn’s history.”

Mr. Stetson is survived by his wife, Sally; his daughter, Lindsey (Julianne); his sister, Sara Jean James; as well as cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Donations may be made in his honor to Penn Football and the USO of Philadelphia.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, located on Penn’s campus at 3916 Locust Walk.

Ann Wetzel, Ed’52, the former head coach of women’s squash, died on May 15. She was 92.

Ms. Wetzel was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Philadelphia. While attending Penn, she was a key member of the 1951 undefeated women’s squash team and was the runner-up in the Middle States tournament. Ms. Wetzel was a Philadelphia squash racquets champion as a sophomore and won a national squash championship as a junior.

In her post college playing career, Ms. Wetzel quickly became one of the top players in the country, amassing several titles, including four Pennsylvania State titles, eight Philadelphia and District titles, and one Connecticut title. She went on to start the women’s squash program at Penn, becoming the first Head Coach of Women’s Squash in 1974. During her time as a coach, she compiled a 154-116 record (.570 winning-percentage). She went on to coach three-time National Singles Champion Alicia McConnell (1982-1984), CSA (College Squash Association) First-Team All-American Karen Kelso (1984-1985), 15 CSA Second-Team All-Americans and 11 All-Ivy honorees.

In 1973, she co-founded the United States Women’s Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association (USWISRA), later known as the Women’s Intercollegiate Squash Association (WISA), which eventually became the Women’s College Squash Association (WCSA). She also coached tennis from 1975-1978, where she amassed a 30-9 record (.769 winning-percentage). Ms. Wetzel retired from Penn in 1992.

In 1995, Ms. Wetzel was inducted into the CSA Hall of Fame and received a Pennsylvania’s Humanitarian Award for her work in prison ministry, Amnesty International, and coaching. She was inducted into the Penn Athletics Hall of Fame Class II in 1998 and into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 2019, Penn’s squash program honored her with the Ann Wetzel Squash Pavilion inside the Penn Squash Center. The CSA still honors her legacy with the Ann Wetzel Award. As of 2023, the award is given to the senior women’s player who has shown the greatest level of improvement over their four-year career.

Ms. Wetzel is survived by her daughters, Jane, Barbara (Harold Rowland), and Betsy (Kevin Lynch); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Donations in Ms. Wetzel’s honor can be made to the Finnish American Village Home at 1800 South Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33461 or at www.farh.org.

The September 2024 University Council meeting was held in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall. Interim President J. Larry Jameson opened the meeting by welcoming the council to a new academic year. He then announced the reappointments of Melissa Wilde, professor and chair of sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences, as moderator, and Scott Schafer, associate vice president, chief privacy officer and institutional compliance officer, as parliamentarian.

Dr. Wilde presented the minutes of the April 17 meeting, which were approved.

Associate vice president and associate university secretary Lizann Boyle Rode provided responses to new business topics raised during the April 17 meeting. Those responses included:

• In response to requests for greater transparency regarding Penn’s efforts to combat bias and discrimination, each semester, the Center for Community Standards and Accountability will publish data on findings from reports and complaints received.
• Regarding making public transportation more affordable for graduate students, additional efforts will be made to publicize current options, such as SEPTA’s Key Semester Pass. Also, discussions are underway with SEPTA to further evaluate student-oriented options. The University also continues to invest in Penn Transit bus and shuttle services and recently launched the Penn Bus North route.
• Regarding requesting extensions on tuition payment plans, Student Registration & Financial Services (SRFS) cannot provide customized tuition billing options. Students are encouraged to contact SFRS’s one-stop service center for support and options.
• With respect to childcare, ensuring high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare remains a priority. The Penn Children’s Center recently created a summer pre-K program, increased toddler care capacity, and enhanced drop-in services. Penn also continues to work with partner organizations to meet the needs of its evolving community.
• Regarding requests to standardize curricular practical training courses (CPT), this would be challenging to accomplish across Penn’s 200+ academic programs. International Student and Scholar Services and the Provost’s Office are open to collaborating with deans and other colleagues to identify and institute best practices and explore more consistent approaches to CPT.
• In response to requests from student groups for increased funding, the leadership of University Life has formed working groups to review that process. This fall, the Office of Student Affairs will work with student leaders to implement improvements to the current system and seeking feedback on proposed changes with a goal of instituting a new process by fall 2025.

Eric Feldman, chair of the University Council steering committee, presented this year’s focus issues and committee charges. All were approved.

During new business, council members made the following remarks:

• The Lambda Alliance representative requested information on additional funding opportunities available for the LGBT Center. 
• The Disability Coalition requested a University-wide statement to support wellness given the heightened transmission of COVID and other communicable diseases, the provision of K-95 masks in high traffic areas, and that faculty encourage students not to attend classes when they are ill and encourage them to provide a hybrid option or recorded lectures for students who miss class due to illness.

Penn Dental Medicine is continuing to advance care for patients with disabilities through the support of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation Access to Care Grant Program, which was recently awarded a $620,900 grant over three years for educational programming targeted to caregivers.

According to the National Council on Disability, approximately 13.5% of the overall U.S. population lives with a disability—among seniors 75 or older, the prevalence of disability jumps to 46%—many living with a reduced capacity for self-care and relying on others to perform daily living activities, including oral hygiene. Studies have shown that individuals with disabilities and their caregivers often encounter heightened challenges in understanding basic health information, stemming from lower health literacy, which, in turn, is linked with poorer oral health status and less likelihood of adhering to preventive oral health messages.

The educational initiative supported by the Delta Dental grant will build upon the prevention-oriented treatment delivered at Penn Dental Medicine’s Care Center for Persons with Disabilities Personalized Care (PCare) Suite, which opened in 2020 and has become a major dental care provider for individuals throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond.  Last fiscal year, nearly 2,000 patients were treated in the PCare Suite, representing approximately 5,400 patient encounters; a quarter of the patients were over the age of 65.

“I am excited by the potential impact of this program to improve the health of persons with disabilities by educating them and their caregivers on the importance of oral health and hygiene,” said Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Mark S. Wolff.

Providers in the PCare Suite work with patients and their caregivers to minimize disease through personalized care visits that find the best accommodations to receive care and improved home oral hygiene—this grant will significantly expand resources is this area. The first stage of the project will involve a series of focus groups of home caregivers, nurses, and other direct service providers to learn more about their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to carrying out oral hygiene procedures on persons with disabilities under their care. Information collected from these focus groups will serve as the basis for the design and content of a series of oral health education videos and other training tools, to be developed in collaboration with consultants from a wide array of professional (nursing, nutrition, dental) and advocacy groups (disability and senior).

The funding will also support a full-time oral health educator and part-time hygienist who will deliver targeted, individualized training sessions along with group sessions in multiple clinical and community settings,  including the PCare Suite. The Arc of Philadelphia, an advocacy and resource center for individuals with disabilities, will serve as a project consultant and will also be a principal training site for staff and clients. Training sites will also include multiple locations of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, a community agency for older Philadelphians and people with disabilities. Over the three years of the grant, it is estimated that 4,350 seniors and another 9,750 adults below 50 years of age will benefit from this educational initiative.

Penn’s Ivy Plus Provost Leadership Fellows will participate in the 2024-2025 Institute on Inquiry, Equity and Leadership of the Faculty Advancement Network, a consortium of 13 research universities collaborating to advance diversity and inclusion. The goal of the institute is to provide faculty leaders the tools and skills of inquiry needed to lead their respective departments and/or disciplines toward increased diversity, equity, inclusion, and inclusive excellence. Joann Mitchell, Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, and Laura W. Perna, Vice Provost for Faculty, serve as Penn’s Steering Committee members for the Faculty Advancement Network.

Kimberly L. Gallagher, professor and chair of biology in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies the mechanisms by which cells send signals and share information with each other, especially intercellular signaling to communicate positional information and coordinate development.

Sara Jaffee, Class of 1965 Professor and chair of psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences, is a developmental psychopathologist who conducts research on at-risk families and children, especially how stressful environments exacerbate biobehavioral vulnerabilities to affect children’s development and antisocial behavior.

Boon Thau Loo, RCA Professor of computer and information science and senior associate dean for education and global initiatives in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, applies data-centric techniques to improve the process of designing, implementing, verifying, and securing large-scale distributed systems.

Lisa Mitchell, professor and chair of South Asia studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, studies transnationally circulating political ideas and practices, multiple genealogies of democracy in India, Indian democracy between elections, and the street and the railway station as spaces of political communication.

Ravi Radhakrishnan, professor and Herman P. Schwan Chair of Bioengineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, works at the intersection of chemical physics and molecular biology to provide molecular-level characterizations of complex biomolecular systems and microscopic models for predicting the interactions of therapeutic agents.

Barbara D. Savage, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor Emerita of American Social Thought and a professor emerita of Africana studies, has been awarded the 2024 American Book Award by the Before Columbus Foundation and was a finalist for the prestigious Museum of African American History Stone Book Award.

She received these honors for her latest work, Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey of a Black Woman Scholar, in recognition of her literary achievement. The book is a biography of Merze Tate, a trailblazing Black woman scholar and intrepid world traveler.

According to MAAH, “Barbara Savage’s lucid and skilled rendering of Tate’s story is built on more than a decade of research. Tate’s life and work challenge provincial approaches to African American and American history, women’s history, the history of education, diplomatic history, and international thought.”

The Before Columbus Foundation American Book Awards were created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community. The awards recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions. The award winners range from well-known and established writers to under-recognized authors and first works. The Before Columbus Foundation views American culture as inclusive and has always considered the term “multicultural” to be not a description of various categories, groups, or “special interests,” but rather as the definition of all of American literature. The awards are not bestowed by an industry organization, but rather are a writers’ award given by other writers.

The 2024 American Book Award winners will be formally recognized on October 27 at the SF Jazz Center in San Francisco.

(Statistics for 2021, 2022, and 2023)

The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as amended, requires colleges and universities to provide information related to security policies and procedures and specific statistics for criminal incidents, arrests, and disciplinary referrals to students and employees, and to make the information and statistics available to prospective students and employees upon request. Federal law also requires institutions with on-campus housing to share an annual fire report with the campus community. 

In addition, the Uniform Crime Reporting Act requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to provide information related to security policies and procedures to students, employees and applicants; to provide certain crime statistics to students and employees; and to make those statistics available to applicants and prospective employees upon request. 

To review Penn’s most recent annual report containing this information, please visit: https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/ASR/2024_ASR_PENN.pdf.  

You may request a paper copy of the report by calling the Office of the Vice President for Public Safety at (215) 898-7515 or by emailing vp@publicsafety.upenn.edu. 

—Division of Public Safety

Join us for the 2024 Employee Resource Fair hosted by the Penn Professional Staff Assembly (PPSA). This free annual event is open to all Penn staff and faculty. This year, our event is set to take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, located at 3701 Walnut Street. Please use the Sansom Street entrance.

The Employee Resource Fair is designed to offer easy access to the substantial array of campus resources and services available to our valued staff and faculty members. Guided tours of Pottruck Health and Fitness Center will also be available.

For the most up-to-date event details, please visit our website at https://ppsa.upenn.edu/. Register for this event by using the following link to the IRIS registration system and creating an account at https://upenn.irisregistration.com/Form/ERF2024.

We look forward to your attendance at this exciting annual gathering.

—Dawn Maglicco Deitch, PPSA Chair-Elect, Executive Director, Office of Government and Community Affairs
—Tonya Bennett, PPSA Chair, Director of Educational Technology, Penn Vet
—Natalie Dury Green, PPSA Past Chair, Director of Operations for the Master in Law Program, Penn Carey Law School

Penn Procurement Services will host its Supplier Show on Thursday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at 3680 Walnut Street. Come and learn about innovative supplier solutions from the approximately 40 exhibitors who will be onsite. Attendees will discover what’s new in office supplies, lab supplies, IT products, furniture, print, logistics, promotions, travel services, and other sourcing categories.

Click here to register in advance. Attendees will be able to enjoy a boxed lunch provided by one of Penn’s local and diverse caterers. Please bring your PennCard for check-in upon arrival and to be eligible for door prizes.

Children’s Activities

Morris Arboretum & Gardens

In-person events at Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Info: https://www.morrisarboretum.org/.

18        September Storytime; reading of The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell; 10:30 a.m.

Conferences

21        La Casa Latina - 25th Anniversary Symposium; will feature alumni panels, inspiring keynote speakers, and an awards ceremony that reflects on La Casa Latina’s rich history while looking forward to an exciting future; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; room TBA, ARCH; register: https://tinyurl.com/la-casa-latina-conf-sept-21 (La Casa Latina).

Films

18        [untitled] Film Series: Shorts with Sarah Trad; 6 p.m.; Institute of Contemporary Art; info and to register: https://tinyurl.com/ica-film-shorts-sept-18 (ICA).

Fitness & Learning

17        Surviving and Thriving in Your History Classes, or, How to Read a Book in a Week; Amy Offner, history, will lead a very practical discussion about reading efficiently and effectively for history courses; noon; room 209, College Hall (History).

            CEAS Fall Open House; celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at CEAS and learn about upcoming events and opportunities; try your hand at making your own mooncakes, do some origami, and listen to demonstrations of Chinese instruments; 1-3 p.m.; room 642, Williams Hall (Center for East Asian Studies).

22        Sunday Reset with Carley Simone; start your week with relaxation and transcendence; submerge in soothing and enchanting soundscapes from sound bath practitioner Carley Simone; 2 p.m.; Institute of Contemporary Art; register: https://tinyurl.com/ica-reset-sept-22 (ICA).

23        LGBT Center Family Dinner; stop by the LGBT Center for a delicious free meal, get a chance to connect with lots of different folks, and meet new staff members; 5 p.m.; LGBT Center (LGBT Center).

College of Liberal & Professional Studies

Online webinars. Info: https://www.lps.upenn.edu/about/events.

18        Global Master of Public Administration Virtual Information Session; 10 a.m.

Graduate School of Education

Online webinars. Info: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/events-calendar?date=2024-09.

18        Education Entrepreneurship Virtual Information Session; 9 a.m.

19        Penn Chief Learning Officer Virtual Information Session; noon.

            Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Virtual Program Welcome; 7 p.m.

Readings & Signings

18        Table Reading of Bertolt Brecht's Saint Joan of the Stockyards; read by Randall Williams, AIDS activist; Ricardo A. Bracho, GSWS Artist in Residence; 5 p.m.; suite 345, Fisher-Bennett Hall (Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies).

            Book Launch and Panel Discussion: Louis I. Kahn: The Last Notebook; Sue Ann Kahn, daughter of Louis I. Kahn; 6:30 p.m.; Upper Gallery, Meyerson Hall (Architecture).

Kelly Writers House

In-person events at Arts Café, Kelly Writers House. Info: https://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/0924.php.

24        A Conversation; Meredith Scardino, showrunner of Girls5Eva; 6 p.m.

Talks

18        The New NIH Simplified Review Framework; George Demiris, Penn Integrates Knowledge professor; noon; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/demiris-talk-sept-18 (Penn Nursing).

            Representation-Based Learning and Control for Dynamical Systems; Na Li, Harvard University; noon; room 225, Towne Building, and Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/99029916016 (ASSET Center).

            Who Takes the Seat? How Simultaneous Identity Movements Shape Board Diversity; Mary-Hunter "Mae" McDonnell, management; noon; room 403, McNeil Building (Sociology).

            Equivariant Learning for Robotic Manipulation; Dian Wang, Northeastern University; 3 p.m.; room 307, Levine Hall, and Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/98087582668 (GRASP Lab).

            Autonomous Soft and Colloidal Matter Fueled by Chemical Reactions; Taylor Woehl, University of Maryland; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering).

            Language and Humiliation: Sentiments of the Hindi Intelligentsia in India, c. 1948-1970; Akhil Veetil; Exemplary Genealogies: Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Tamil Velalar Caste Puranas in Print; Praveen Vijaykumar; 4:30 p.m.; room 402, Cohen Hall (South Asian Studies).

19        Special Briefing: Year Ahead for America’s States and Municipalities; Vikram Rai, Wells Fargo; Jane Ridley, S&P Global; Mark Zandi, Moody’s Analytics; 11 a.m.; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/iur-briefing-sept-19 (Penn Institute for Urban Research).

            Planning the Chungju Fertilizer Plant: Development Cooperation and Cold War Engineering Networks Across the US and East Asia; Juyoung Lee, Moon family postdoctoral fellow; noon; suite 310, 3600 Market Street (Korean Studies).

            Emotions that Matter: Anguish, Anger, and Affect in Early Imperial Spanish Spirituality; Jes Boon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 3:30 p.m.; room 204, Cohen Hall (Religious Studies).

            Learning Controllers for Multi-Robot Teams; Gaurav S. Sukhatme, University of Southern California; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Computer & Information Science).

            General Capillary to Arterial Endothelium Reprogramming in Pulmonary Hypertension; Zhiyu Dai, Washington University in St. Louis; 4 p.m.; room 11-146AB, Smilow Center (Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute).

20        Motion-Based Rules and Solitary Waves: Ameloblasts and Birds; Brian Cox, Teledyne Scientific; 2 p.m.; room 534, 3401 Walnut Street (Penn Institute for Computational Science).

            The February 7th, 2021, Chamoli Disaster: A(nother) Recent Example of the Complex Interactions of Cascading Hazards, Mountain Development, Renewable Energy, and Climate Change; Summer Rupper, University of Utah; 3 p.m.; room 358, Hayden Hall (Earth & Environmental Science).

21        1177 BC and After: The Collapse and Survival of Civilizations; Eric H. Cline, George Washington University; 3 p.m.; Rainey Auditorium, Penn Museum; tickets: $10/general, $7/Penn Museum members, $5/students, free/children 12 and under (Penn Museum).

23        Beyond the Exit of the Device Miniaturization Tunnel; H.-S. Philip Wong, Stanford University; 11 a.m.; room 225, Towne Building (Electrical & Systems Engineering).

            Tracking the Trypanosoma Brucei Host-Pathogen Interface in High Resolution; Monica Mugnier, Johns Hopkins University; noon; room 132, Hill Pavilion, and Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/91485597704 (Penn Vet).

            Translation-Dependent Downregulation of Cas12a mRNA by an Anti-CRISPR Protein; Nicole Marino, pathobiology; 4 p.m.; room 209, Johnson Pavilion (Microbiology).  

            What Did Muybridge and Darwin Have in Common? The Heliotype; Julie Mellby, Princeton University; 5:15 p.m.; Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt Library (Workshop in the History of Material Texts).

24        Controlling Adhesion and Friction of Soft Interfaces by Meso-Scale Structures; Anand Jagota, Lehigh University; 10:15 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics).

            Organometallic Single-Molecule Magnets Containing Radicals and Bismuth; Selvan Demir, Michicgan State University; noon; Carolyn Hoff Lynch Lecture Hall, Chemistry 1973 Building (Chemistry).

            Challenging Systemic Media Inequalities in the UK: Contesting Islamophobia and Racism in Mainstream News Journalism; Nadia Haq, Cardiff University; 12:15 p.m.; room 300, Annenberg School (Media, Inequality & Change Center).

            Machine Learning for Discovery: Deciphering RNA Splicing Logic; Oded Regev, New York University; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Computer & Information Science).

            The Uses of Displacement: Refugees, Resettlement, and Partition in Wartime Algeria; Laura Robson, Yale University; 5:15 p.m.; room 209, College Hall (History).

Center for Latin American & Latinx Studies

Various locations. Info: https://clals.sas.upenn.edu/events.

20        Spatial Theories for the Americas: Counterweights to Five Centuries of Eurocentrism; Fernando Lara, Weitzman School of Design; noon; room 473, McNeil Building.

Economics

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

18        Sectoral Dynamics of Safe Assets in Advanced Economies; Björn Richter, Universitat Pompeu Fabra; noon; room 625, PCPSE.

            Actual Causality: A Survey; Joseph Halpern, Cornell University; 3:30 p.m.; room 111, Levin Building.

            Sustainable Intermediation: Using Market Design to Improve the Provision of Sanitation; Jean-François Houde, University of Wisconsin; 3:30 p.m.; room 100, PCPSE.

            Labor Mobility and the Level of Unemployment in a Currency Union; Linda Tesar, University of Michigan; 4 p.m.; room 200, PCPSE.

19        Language, Learning, and Bullying: School Choice in Multilingual Contexts; Ornella Darova, economics; 3:30 p.m.; room 101, PCPSE.

23        Innovation Races with Endogenous Transparency; Marcus Tomaino, economics; noon; room 203, PCPSE.

History of Art

In-person events at room 113, Jaffe Building. Info: https://arth.sas.upenn.edu/calendar/month/2024-09.

18        Reaching for the Stars, and Failing: Enamels, Circa 1300; Sarah Guérin, history of art; 3 p.m.

Physics & Astronomy

Info: https://www.physics.upenn.edu/events/.

18        Exploring Solutions to the Galaxy Diversity Problem; Akaxia Cruz, Flatiron Institute/Princeton University; 3:30 p.m.; room 4E19, DRL.

            Robots That Evolve on Demand; Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio, Yale University; 3:30 p.m.; room A8, DRL.

23        Apparent Fine Tunings for Field Theories with Broken Space-Time Symmetries; Alberto Nicolis, Columbia University; 2 p.m.; room 3W2, DRL.

Population Studies Center

In-person events. Info: https://www.pop.upenn.edu/.

20        The Transformative Power of Education: Does Parental Intergenerational Educational Mobility Shape Their Children’s Educational Trajectory? Meir Yaish, University of Haifa; noon; room 367, McNeil Building.

23        Life Course Inequalities in Cognitive Aging and Dementia Risk: New Data and Methodological Approaches for Population Research; Yang Claire Yang, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; noon; room 403, McNeil Building.

            Heated Up: Exploring the Educational Pathways That Shape Young Adult Climate Activism in Philadelphia and Cape Town with Rehana Odendaal; Rehana Odendaal, sociology; 4 p.m.; room 367, McNeil Building.

This is an update to the September AT PENN calendar, which is online now. To submit an event for a future AT PENN calendar or weekly update, email almanac@upenn.edu.

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 September 2-8, 2024. 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 September 2-8, 2024. 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: 2 incidents were reported for September 2-8, 2024 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.

The University of Pennsylvania Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA) offers the following guidance to our campus community to support and encourage successful participation in the General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Help your vote succeed by getting clear, accurate information from trusted sources. Email ogca@pobox.upenn.edu with any questions.

Get Smart: Each state makes its own voting and election rules, including how and when to register. Check with your state’s Secretary of State or your local election office to get the most up-to-date and detailed information for voting where you live. Be cautious when entrusting your personal information and voter registration materials to third parties. Start here: https://vote.gov/

Be Alert To Changes: Dates, deadlines, forms, formats, locations, laws, methods and machines are likely to have been modified recently. Voter ID requirements vary. In Pennsylvania, voters must show proof of identity when voting at a polling place for the first time. PennCards are an acceptable form of ID. 

Consider The Source: Identify reliable sources for news and knowledge. Be ready to discern misinformation and disinformation, partisan influences and nonpartisan resources. https://www.factcheck.org/

Make A Plan:

• Register and Verify Your Registration: In Pennsylvania, go to https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/
• Research your best method to vote successfully—early voting, in-person, by mail, or ballot drop off. 
• Respond ahead of deadlines. Account for mail, volume, human error, long lines, and other delays. In Pennsylvania, the last day to register is October 21. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is October 29.

Sign Here: Your written signature is an important element of registering and voting successfully. Dates are also very important for compliance. Use a legible and consistent signature on your forms. Read the instructions for signing and dating your mail-in ballot in all required places before returning it.

Get Specialized Support:

• Military Voter Assistance and overseas citizens: https://www.fvap.gov/
• Voters with Disabilities: https://www.ndrn.org/voting/
• Language Accessibility for voters: https://www.eac.gov/language-access-resources
• Local Assistance: Satellite Election Office, 4029 Market Street; (215) 686-7803

Get Involved: 

• Volunteer with Penn Leads the Vote, Penn’s nonpartisan student-led voter engagement organization, https://www.vote.upenn.edu/volunteer/.
• Join the School of Nursing’s special initiative, Nurses for the Vote, Chart the Future by contacting Monique Howard at mshoward@nursing.upenn.edu.

To Members of the University and surrounding community:

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Involvement Recognition Awards will be presented to five individuals in the following areas:

• Community Award, presented to two residents of the greater Philadelphia community involved in community service and/or working for social justice through non-violent efforts aimed at alleviating systemic inequalities as it relates to poverty, racism, and militarism.
• Community Award, presented to a Penn faculty or staff member involved in community service and/or working for social justice through non-violent efforts aimed at alleviating systemic inequalities as it relates to poverty, racism, and militarism.
• Community Award, presented to a Penn student involved in community service and/or working for social justice through non-violent efforts aimed at alleviating systemic inequalities as it relates to poverty, racism, and militarism.
• The Rodin Education Award, presented to a Penn faculty, staff, student, or Philadelphia resident who demonstrates significant contributions in community service and/or working for social justice efforts through the advancement of education and educational opportunities in Philadelphia.

The awards will be presented as part of Penn’s commemoration of the MLK holiday during the Interfaith program. Please share this information with others in your families, communities, schools, departments, and organizations so that we may identify those most deserving of this award. 

Electronic submissions can be made at https://bit.ly/MLK2025Awards.

—2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Symposium Executive Planning Committee