Inner life
Late this summer, incoming Penn freshmen will understand evolution in a new way through the 2008-09 Penn Reading Project selection: Neil Shubin’s “Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5 Billion-Year History of the Human Body.” Groups of students and faculty leaders will join together on Aug. 31 to discuss the book as part of New Student Orientation for the Class of 2012. Shubin, a Penn biology professor from 1989 to 2000 and the founding Faculty Master in Hamilton (now Rodin) College House, will also address the incoming class and faculty leaders.
In his book, Shubin continues his exploration of evolution by investigating fundamental questions of origins, development and human existence. The selection of this Reading Project book also reflects Penn’s commitment to the Year of Evolution—a city-wide, multi-institution commemoration of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday.
The PRP, now in its 18th year, was created to introduce incoming freshmen to intellectual life at the University. Previous books have included Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemna,” Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Benjamin Franklin’s “Autobiography.”
For more information, or to sign up as a faculty leader, go to: www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/prp/.
Into the Woods
A cemetery may not top the average person’s list of places to spend a summer’s day, but people should make an exception for the Woodlands, the rural garden cemetery located at 40th Street and Woodland Avenue in University City.
On Sunday, May 18, join Masterman School students from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for “The Lives Beneath the Stones,” in which they’ll showcase their months of research on some of the lesser-known individuals and families buried at the site. On Sunday, June 1, bring your sketch pad and writing implement to join the Philadelphia Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America for an afternoon of sketching from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Architect Alvin Holm will be on hand to provide drawing instructions. There is a $20 fee for this program or just $10 for ICACA
members.
On August 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., lace up your sneakers for a free walk from the Woodlands to Bartram’s Garden, led by Robert Thomas. This walk is the perfect opportunity to learn about new trail projects along the Schuylkill River and new developments along Woodland Avenue. Recoup with refreshments at Bartram’s Garden and then hop on the trolley back to the Woodlands.
RSVP to all free events at info@woodlandsphila.org or call 215-386-2181. For more information, go to www.woodlandsphila.org.
Heart smart
The Penn Cardiovascular Institute is holding its First Annual Symposium on Cardiovascular Development and Disease on May 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Biomedical Research Building. Speakers include Michael Parmacek, director of Penn’s CVI; Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute; Benoit Bruneau, associate investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease; and Shaun Coughlin of the University of California, San Francisco. Register (by May 12) through the CVI website: www.med.upenn.edu/cvi/symposium.shtml or call Nina Maschak at 215-573-8002 for more information.
Money manager
A public service announcement on managing debt that was written, filmed and edited by Annenberg Ph.D. student Angel Ho, was named the best in competition among PSAs submitted by students throughout the country. The contest, sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the League of Young Voters, was titled “Keep it in Your Pants,” and was designed to help young people avoid what these groups call “debt disease.” For her work, Ho won a $5,000 scholarship for school-related expenses. To view her PSA, go to www.keepitinyourpants.org.
