Godzilla or Lassie?
From the Editor: Nov|Dec 2012
Drone’s Day Scenarios
An invasion of unmanned aerial vehicles—drones to you—is on its way, but these flying robots are here to help, not enslave the human race. (At least, that’s what they say at Penn’s pioneering GRASP Lab, where some of the most sophisticated ones are being created.)
The Transformer
He turned an abandoned stretch of elevated rail tracks on Manhattan’s lower West Side from an eyesore to a treasured urban amenity, and put playing fields and green space where a garbage dump taller than the Statue of Liberty once sprawled. Now Penn Design alumnus and professor James Corner is creating a modern-day pleasure garden on the site of London’s Summer Olympics.
The Case of S. Weir Mitchell
He’s now remembered, if at all, for a misguided “rest cure” that inspired an iconic piece of early feminist fiction, but in his day alumnus and longtime University trustee S. Weir Mitchell found fame in several fields—as a noted surgeon and physician, a leading medical researcher, and a best-selling author.
From Brand to Role Model
Less than a decade after launching her own label, Tory Burch C’88 is one of the most recognizable names in fashion. Through mentoring and microloans, the Tory Burch Foundation is empowering other women entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps.
Van Pelt at 50
Five decades on, the University’s central library is still doing the job.
Letters
Nov|Dec 2012
The Road to Chintheche
Making a difference in Malawi starts with getting there.
Home Free
Reflections on nine years without a fixed address.
Age of Steam and Turmoil
The history of Paraguay in a wood-powered locomotive.
Not Made in China
Why the US trade deficit with China is not what it seems.
Dance Celebration Marks 30 Years at Annenberg
Annenberg Center marks three decades of Dance Celebration.
The Man Behind the Mouse Model Gets his Due
Ralph Brinster V’60 Gr’64 survives symposium honoring him.
The Palestra’s New Front Yard
Shoemaker Green offers new view of Palestra and Franklin Field.
The Starting Gun Fires for a “Gold Medal Penn Experience”
Message to Class of 2016: “Ready, set, engage!”
Invasion of the Hackers
Home team takes honors in PennApps hackathon.
Lies, Damn Lies, and Experimental Research Statistics
Statistically speaking, there’s a big problem with false-positive results.
Policy Wonkery, Wharton Style
With $11 million in gifts, Wharton launches Public Policy Initiative.
Trowel, Cloak and Dagger
Excavating Gordion was not the most exciting thing Rodney Young did.
Penn-KIPP Partnership Announced
New partnership aims to bring more “KIPPsters” to campus.
Hardwood Reboot
In transition year, men’s basketball looks to surprise.
A Palestra Trio, Together Again
Colgate’s Quaker coaches: Langel, Jordan, Klatsky.
Sex and the Art of Exhibitionism
Daniel Gluck W’91 GFA’92 put sex in a museum.
Talkin’ Books, Films, Music
Online discussion groups from Kelly Writers House.