penn priority 2013

TH

E PENN UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL AID

ISSUE NO. 13 | FALL 2013INSIDE: 2 Message from the Director • 3 George Weiss: A Legacy of Impact • 3 Campaign by the Numbers • 4 Building the Pipeline to Success • 6 Adding to Scholarship Funds Makes a Lasting Difference • 7 Voices from Donors • 8 Scholarships Change Lives • 10 We Asked, Students Answered • 12 A Celebration for All Seasons • 16 Welcome Aboard • 16 The Power of Planning

Priority“I know firsthand how much of a

difference the best financial aid makes to our students and their families. They in turn are intent on giving back to Penn,

our society, and the world.”

— Amy Gutmann

Time to ShineHistoric Campaign Success Makes Huge Impact for Undergraduate Financial Aid

Highlighted by the generosity of donors who contributed over $4.3 billion and the electricity of a campus transformed from excellence to eminence, the close of the Making History Campaign truly was Penn’s “Time to Shine.”

This unprecedented success resulted in over $366 million for the University’s most essential priority—undergraduate financial aid.

During the life of the Campaign, Penn made sweeping reforms to our financial aid policies, cementing our position as the gold standard among our peers in higher education. We did this by fulfilling one of the cornerstone promises of the Penn Compact—increasing access for the most talented, most diverse students, regardless of their ability to pay. These policies consisted of continuing our need-blind admissions policy where applicants

are evaluated solely on the merits of their academic and personal achievement, and expanding our commitment by meeting all financial need without loans. Our resolve remained steadfast, even during the most difficult of economic times, due to the extraordinary generosity of Penn alumni and friends.

Inspired by the personal passion for this priority of President Amy Gutmann and Campaign Chair and Trustee Emeritus George Weiss, W’65, donors supported undergraduate financial aid at record levels. This success illuminated the impact of increased access—alumni, parents, and friends created 797 new scholarships and made additions to 793 existing scholarships—but more importantly, it enabled our students to shine with distinctive achievements in scholarship, research, and service. n

The Importance of Scholarship SupportA Message from University Director of Financial Aid Joel Carstens

Hello! After completing my “freshman year” during 2012-13 at Penn, I am energized by this dynamic University. Penn has much to celebrate, not the least of which is the success of the Making History Campaign, detailed in this issue of Penn Priority.

Penn’s undergraduate aid program remains strong, thanks in large part to the University’s continued commitment to need-blind admissions and meeting the full need of aid recipients. More than 43 percent of students in the Class of 2017 are receiving grants, with their financial aid packages averaging more than $40,000. The Board of Trustees, President Gutmann, and University leadership remain committed to Penn’s unique no-loan policy.

I am certain you have a list in your mind of what makes Penn special. During the past year, like a new Penn student, I have noticed a few things that make Penn special to me. While my entire list is too long for this venue, the exceptional educational opportunities available to Penn students, the vibrant campus community, and the strong connection with the City of Philadelphia in particular stand out for me.

As a world leader in many fields, the University provides a student experience

that few can match. In fact, I dare say it would be difficult to find any other U.S. campus that shares the engagement with learning that is present at Penn. As you know, learning continues outside the classroom with robust leadership, service, and activities available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Penn students are attracted to all that a world-class city like Philadelphia has to offer. However, it should be noted that today’s undergraduates display a unique commitment to serve others. In fact, each year nearly one in four federal work-study recipients participates in community service somewhere in the Philadelphia region. This is an astounding number and reflects well on Penn’s commitment to engage our local communities.

Finally, I must mention the substantial contribution to Penn by my predecessor, William Schilling. During his decades of service to the University, Bill helped shape and refine Penn’s undergraduate aid program into the strong, flexible program available to today’s students. I look forward to building upon this good work and ensuring that we continue to make a Penn education accessible to all who need our assistance.

• Began at Penn on September 1, 2012

• Came from Princeton University

where he spent eight years directing

undergraduate financial aid renewal

and the student employment office

• Previous experience includes

positions at Massachusetts

General Hospital, Macalester

College, and Simmons College

• Board member of the National

Student Employment Association

HJoel Carstens

University Director of Financial Aid

FAST FACTS

about the Class of 2017

Increasingly diverse and representing the brightest and the best minds from over 73 countries, this year’s class was selected from an applicant pool of 31,283 candidates. Here we provide a glimpse of the newest Penn Quakers:

Freshmen who joined the Penn

community this fall

International students

52/482,427

13%

12.1%Applicants admitted to

Penn

Ratio of women to men

2 | THE PENN PRIORITY | FALL 2013

Trustee Emeritus George Weiss, W’65, is a man committed to bold, lasting progress. As a champion for undergraduate financial aid, he is driven by his deep love for Penn and by his conviction that “scholarships change lives.” His impact upon the success of the Named Scholarship Program is epitomized by his support and investment in the lives of count-less Penn Quakers, and his pivotal role in rallying others around scholarship aid. Weiss’ $14 million gift in 2005 created the Men and Women of Pennsylvania, a challenge program that, to date, has encouraged 66 extraordinary donors to contribute $2 million each to undergraduate financial aid. This initiative influenced the exponential power of scholarship support during the Making History Campaign and laid the foundation for our efforts to assist future generations. His holistic view of education keeps Weiss rooted in the true meaning of the Campaign’s success: “The bright, impassioned students we see all around this campus are the best reminders of what this is all about. It’s about promise. It’s about opportunity. It’s about the future.” n

The Importance of Scholarship SupportA Message from University Director of Financial Aid Joel Carstens

Total funds raised for undergraduate financial aid

Scholarships created

Additions to existing scholarship funds

Increase in average financial aid grant from 2007-2012

$366.3M797

793 The Making History Campaign success bolstered our ability to invest in future generations of talented students who will leave their mark on Penn, their communities, and the world. These numbers illustrate the Campaign’s profound impact on undergraduate financial aid.

by the numbers The Success of the Making History Campaign

GEORGE WEISS: A LEGACY OF IMPACT

“It is extraordinary to see all that we have accomplished. Every time I visit, all I can do is smile. I smile at the students, especially the incredible undergraduates who would not be here without financial aid and who can now graduate from Penn loan-free.” —George A. Weiss, W’65, Campaign Chair, Trustee Emeritus

60%

FALL 2013 | THE PENN PRIORITY | 3

BUILDING THE PIPELINE TO SUCCESSA generous donation from Penn supporters Bruce and Martha

Karsh will help dozens of high-need students from KIPP schools

Martha and Bruce Karsh gave $2.5 million through their family foundation to usher KIPP graduates through Penn and to brighter futures. The Karshes have long been proponents of K-12 and higher education and increasing diversity and access in world-class colleges and universities like Penn.

Martha L. Karsh and Bruce A. Karsh, PAR’08, PAR’10, Erick Silva, C’16, and Chevon Boone, C’13.

Bruce and Martha Karsh have a broad vision when it comes to higher education: addressing inequity, enhancing diversity, and fueling talent. But achieving those lofty goals

starts at an individual level—–this year at Penn, with ten eager freshmen.

This group is the first cohort to attend Penn as part of a new partnership between the University and KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program. Widely considered among

the best of K-12 charter schools, KIPP is a growing, nationwide network of 141 free, open enrollment public schools providing high-quality education for students in underserved communities. The partnership between KIPP and Penn intends to facilitate and foster

success for KIPPsters at Penn—–many of whom are the first in their families to go to

college—–by enhancing access, and empha-sizing strong college preparation and support

during the college years. Although there are already several KIPP graduates at Penn, this new cohort is the first to attend Penn as part of both the KIPP-Penn Partnership and the KIPP at Penn Scholarship program funded by the Karsh Family Foundation.

“We were motivated by the deep commit-ment of both Penn and Amy Gutmann to

access—–a key driver in achieving educational equity. Everything starts by giving students,


Nearly 85 percent of KIPP graduates are admitted to college, and they complete their education at four times the rate of average low-income students and even exceed the graduation rate of all U.S. students.

Katrese Hale and Chevon Boone, both C’13, attended KIPP schools in North Carolina and are moving on to work in education and urban development, respectively.

regardless of their financial circumstances, an

opportunity to learn and grow,” Martha Karsh

says. “I’ve seen the difference that excellent

schools make for students from underserved

communities, both in K-12 and in college.

Quite simply, proper preparation and support

transform lives and change the destiny of

future generations.”

A PIONEERING PARTNERAlthough KIPP now has 40 college and

university partnerships nationwide, Penn is

the first Ivy League university to partner with

KIPP. The joint venture is a natural fit —–Martha

Karsh serves on the national KIPP Foundation

Board and chairs the KIPP: LA Trustees. She

and Bruce are also parents to two recent Penn

graduates. Significantly, KIPP’s co-founder

Mike Feinberg is a 1991 graduate of Penn’s

College of Arts and Sciences. Feinberg started

KIPP in 1994 with his partner, Yale graduate,

Dave Levin. The pair opened two middle

schools in Houston and New York City and,

with the support of the KIPP Foundation,

expanded dramatically over the past decade

to include elementary and high schools,

as well as several new middle schools. To

date, the KIPP network serves over 49,000

students in 141 schools in 20 states and

Washington, D.C.

Penn President Amy Gutmann says the

new program is a shining example of the

University’s commitment to increase educa-

tional access. “A partnership between Penn

and KIPP just makes sense,” she says.

“We could not be more supportive of KIPP’s

mission to prepare and help enable students

in underserved communities to reach their

highest potential.”

What makes the Knowledge is Power

Program unique is its dogged focus on college

preparation, admission, and completion.

Beginning in kindergarten, KIPPsters focus

relentlessly on climbing the mountain to

and through college. Nearly 85 percent of

KIPP graduates are admitted to college, and

they complete their education at more than

four times the rate of average low-income

students, even exceeding the overall gradua-

tion rate of all U.S. students.

“The bottom line is that we don’t view our

students as any different than higher-income

students, but for the lack of resources and

opportunity,” Feinberg says. “We will always

strive for our students to reach the same

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER PROGRAM (KIPP)

• Co-founded by teachers Mike Feinberg, C’91, and Yale graduate, Dave Levin.

• There are 141 KIPP elementary, middle, and high schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

• More than 49,000 students are enrolled.

• By 2015, KIPP aims to serve 55,000 students.

• KIPP has partnerships with 40 colleges and universities, including Penn.

• KIPP schools stress academic readiness, strength of character, social and academic integration, financial literacy, and the right match between a student and his or her college.

college attendance and graduation rates

as other students in higher education.”

A HOLISTIC EXPERIENCEThe Karshes’ KIPP at Penn Scholarship

provides these students with the resources

and infrastructure to keep their education on

track. The endowed fund provides financial

aid, while a separate term fund provides

resources for recruitment of KIPP students,

a summer orientation program, enrichment

programs, mentoring, school supplies and

technology, and advising support. It will also

fund a program manager who will help build

a cohesive KIPP community at Penn.

The KIPP students already attending

Penn have formed their own community

while making their mark on the University.

Feinberg takes KIPP students on field trips

to Penn, and regularly takes Penn-enrolled

KIPP students out to dinner to catch up and

ensure their progress.

Chevon Boone, a 2013 graduate of the

College of Arts and Sciences, was one

student who made an impact while at Penn.

A native of the small town of Garysburg,

North Carolina, Boone received a full

scholarship to come to Philadelphia. During

her four years at Penn, she volunteered at

a local homeless shelter and served as a

peer counselor in a pre-freshmen program.

She will be teaching at a charter school in

Newark, New Jersey, as a member of Teach

for America, hoping to change the lives of

other low-income students who need the

extra encouragement to apply to and attend

college. “I wouldn’t have known to even apply

to Penn if it were not for KIPP,” Chevon says.

Katrese Hale is another recent Penn grad

who got her start at a North Carolina KIPP

school in the fifth grade. She was one of the

school’s first students, and graduated as

its salutatorian. Now she aims to work for

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development. “I am fueled with a burning

desire to give back to society what I had

been deprived of as a child growing up in

poverty,” she says. “Throughout my years

at KIPP, one very important lesson I learned

was keeping my eyes on the prize—–

graduating from high school and attending

the college of my choice.” n


BIGGERBETTERBOLDER:Adding to scholarship funds makes a lasting difference

Q. There are many worthy causes to which you could lend your support. Why was it important for you and your family to establish the Pasquariello/ Agnes Endowed Scholarship?

A. When we discovered that we had the financial capability to donate a substantial amount of money, Pat and I decided to honor our families—specifically our parents—with a scholar-ship named for them. There is no better way to help students realize their dreams and reach their goals. The scholarship is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the years and in addition, both Pat and I enjoy knowing and becoming familiar with the recipients of our scholarship.

Q. As a former public school teacher you are obviously committed to the importance of education. What kind of impact do you envision your scholarship having on the students who receive it?

A. The gift of an education is not given to everyone. My mother taught me and my brother, Louis Agnes, that there is nothing more precious than knowledge. It is what sets an individual free. It is my hope and prayer that the recipients of any scholarship use that opportunity for full self-actualization in all areas of their lives.

Q. You just celebrated your 60th Class Reunion. What keeps you so engaged and excited about Penn?

A. I am always excited about Penn for a number of reasons. One of the most important is that all alumni are treated like family. Every time I enter the Sweeten Alumni Center I am home. I also have a lifelong and extremely personal connection to Penn: I met Pat’s sister at Penn, and I met her brother on a blind date. The rest is history. n

Patrick Pasquariello, RES’63, and Mae Agnes Pasquariello, CW’53, GRD’85

The power of endowed scholarships is never realized more than when donors increase the impact of their philanthropy with additional gifts to their scholarships. During the Making History Campaign, 793 additions were made to existing funds, allowing Penn to provide more financial assistance to a greater number of students.

In 2007, Mae Agnes Pasquariello, CW’53, GRD’85, and her husband Patrick Pasquariello, RES’63, established the Pasquariello/Agnes Endowed Scholarship in honor of their parents. This year, they expanded their fund with a special gift in honor of Mae’s 60th Class Reunion. We sat down with Mae recently to talk about her love for Penn and her deepened commitment to undergraduate scholarships.

“There is nothing more precious than knowledge.

It is what sets an individual free.”


Wharton was an indispensable part of my education and contributed immensely to the

formation of my business acumen. There’s no doubt that without Wharton, I would have

never achieved the professional success I’ve had. I have strived to make that privilege

available to young students, particularly African American students interested in pursuing

careers in business, who would not have been able to afford it otherwise. I am honored to

be able to give back and remain deeply committed to the well-being of the students there

and to the faculty who have made such a difference in my life.”

» David R. Jones, WG’93, President and Chief Executive Officer of CastleOak Securities, LP

David R. Jones and CastleOak Securities, LP Endowed Scholarship

I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the University of Pennsylvania,

where I was able to challenge myself intellectually and make lifelong friends. Through the

Columbus Hill Capital Management Scholarship, my wife, Un Hae Song, and I hope to give

students the same opportunity we had to gain a wonderful education so they can follow

their dreams and contribute to society in a meaningful way.”

» Kevin Eng, W’93, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Columbus Hill Capital Management, LP

Columbus Hill Capital Management Scholarship

We believe a good education is one of the few gifts that benefit a person for their entire life.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to help enable outstanding students receive a Penn

education. Our first scholarship recipient, Katherine, took full advantage of the opportunities

Penn had to offer. At her graduation celebration this year, her enthusiasm was contagious

as she expounded upon what she gained from spending her four years as a part of Penn’s

unparalleled city campus. On a personal note, this same appreciation for Penn’s rich history in

relationship to its West Philadelphia neighbors intrigues our daughter Dani, C’15, as an Urban

Studies major. Listening to her animated conversations with Katherine about their shared

Penn experiences was priceless! As Penn is dedicated to its social responsibilities and to

having a positive impact on its neighbors, we too are committed to having a direct impact on

the students who help shape our stellar alma mater.”

» Lisa Cummins, C’84, PAR’15, and Marc G. Cummins, WG’84, PAR’15, Managing Partner, Prime Capital

Lisa and Marc Cummins Endowed Scholarship

Voices from Donors


SCHOLARSHIPSCHANGELIVES

A Sense of Purpose Iraq War Veteran Uses Discipline and Determination to Achieve Success at Penn

In 2005, Ohio native Timothy Kolb, W’14, was mature enough to know that he wasn’t quite ready for college. So he withdrew from a southern university after his freshman year and enlisted in the U.S. Army. From there, he traveled a path of determination and discipline that took him on a 15-month tour in Iraq—but he never lost sight of his goal to obtain a world-class education.

Timothy spent sweltering 125-degree days outfitting U.S. helicopters and troops with the ammunition they needed to conduct combat missions from a base 20 miles north of Baghdad; his work increased exponentially after the 2007 deployment of more than 20,000 additional soldiers to Iraq.

Despite the emotional intensity, and with spotty Internet access, Timothy found the presence of mind to apply to several highly competitive schools in the United States. “I realized the impor-tance of a strong education and how many doors are closed if you do not have a degree,” Timothy says. “I knew I wanted a tailored business education and, of course, Wharton was at the top of my list.”

Focusing on getting into college in the middle of a war zone was challenging for Timothy, but his purpose kept him motivated. “While people around me were doing other things in their free time, I was working on my admissions essays,” he says.

One of the benefits of providing scholarship aid at Penn is getting the

chance to witness your generosity in action. Supporting students who

may not otherwise be able to attend Penn lets you see young people

with tremendous potential achieve and exceed their dreams. They

inspire their peers, their mentors, and their donors—and each has a

unique story to tell. Here are two that illustrate the transformative

possibilities of scholarship giving.

Timothy Kolb W’14

Timothy Kolb, W’14, is

the recipient of the

Andrew and Sheri Rosen

Endowed Scholarship, the

Hochfelder Family Endowed

Scholarship, and the Rachel

Cathleen Elliott Lilley

Endowed Scholarship.

LEFT: Timothy served as

an ammunition specialist

during a 15-month tour in

Iraq. His sense of purpose

led him to excel in the

Army, eventually garnering

him the Soldier of the

Year award for the 1st Air

Cavalry Brigade.


Timothy Kolb W’14

John “Jack” Leonard C’14

Jack Leonard, C’14, is the

recipient of the Mark and

Lori Fife Endowed

Scholarship. He plays the

trumpet in the Penn Band,

is vice-president of Lambda

Chi Alpha Fraternity, and

works in a nutrition lab at

the School of Nursing.

A Life TransformedFinancial Support Brightens the Prospects of a First-Generation College Student

“Getting into Penn made the rest of the deployment easier— I knew that I had something to look forward to.”

A recipient of three named scholarships, Timothy has been able to focus on his studies in finance and marketing while maintain-ing his commitment as an Army Reservist, a duty he is passionate about. “I saved as much money as I could from the military and working at home, but without this support, I would be in debt for years under a mammoth pile of student loans,” he says.

Timothy has helped expand the University of Pennsylvania Military Veterans Association with the teamwork of other students who have served in the Armed Forces. The goal? To connect veterans with academic and career resources and information. One of Timothy’s priorities is to see them benefit from the same

financial aid support that has helped him. The G.I. Bill covers the cost of in-state tuition at a public university, but only a portion of the total cost of most private universities. “Veterans have a lot to add to the college experience, and we really rely on scholarships and financial aid in order to come to Penn.”

Still, the transition from military to university life wasn’t easy for Timothy. A freshman at 23, he was several years older than the typical student. But like many veterans, he possesses the leader-ship, discipline, dependability, and focus that ensure success in the classroom, the workplace, and life. “During group projects for class, I am very much a task manager and make sure we adhere to our goals—because I want to get home and get to bed,” he says with a smile. n

The University of Pennsylvania is a long way from Redford, Michigan, a hardscrabble suburb about 20 minutes outside of Detroit where John “Jack” Leonard, C’14, grew up. In fact, he says, many students in his high school had never even heard of Penn, let alone considered applying.

But Jack had a friend who had been accepted to Wharton the prior year and encouraged him to look into Penn. “I almost didn’t apply,” Jack says. “I was afraid of being disadvantaged because I didn’t go to a great high school, of not being able to afford tuition or food, and of moving so far from home.”

Jack was the first in his immediate family to have the opportunity to attend college, but his father, a truck driver for a steel company, and his mother, a grocery store clerk, understood very well the difference that a college education would make in his life. Delighted when he was accepted to Penn, Jack and his family fretted over finances when they saw the tuition bill. Attending college seemed a distant possibility.

Fortunately, Jack’s dream became reality when he learned that he was the recipient of the Mark and Lori Fife Endowed Scholarship. It made it possible for him to come to the campus he fell in love with upon his first visit in 2010—the place where he has learned to play the trumpet, rowed on the heavyweight crew team, become a leader in his fraternity, worked in a lab studying nutrition and obesity, and taken up Arabic. “I already feel like I have grown more at Penn than I had in my first 18 years of life,” Jack says. “I have matured in ways I never thought possible.”

Jack still maintains a strong connection to his roots. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, he mixed refining materials and shoveled gravel at the steel and cement company where his father works, one of few left in an area of the country severely affected by the decline in manufacturing. “When my Dad got me the job, he made me promise that it was to make a little money for now, but that I should never let it interfere with my education.”

His days started before sunrise—the earlier the better to avoid the stifling afternoons working near giant ovens.

“Every day of the summer, I am reminded of how fortunate I am when I go to work in the steel business. Those annoying 9 a.m. classes don’t seem so bad when I’m donning a respirator, work boots, and safety gear hours before the sun comes up,” Jack says. “It is extremely depressing to talk to good men who didn’t get an education for one reason or another—most often because of the financial burden.”

Now a senior majoring in cognitive science, Jack wants to become a programmer and possibly start his own web-security company. He balances his interests by working in a nutrition research laboratory and taking life-changing classes like “Introduction to Buddhism.” He wants to be a role model for his two sisters who will be applying to college soon.

“There are so many things I have experienced that I owe to my scholarship donors,” Jack says. “I really do not know how to thank someone for giving me a shot at an incredible life.” n


WEASKED,STUDENTSANSWERED:

Samantha Farmer ENG’13, GEN’13Lynn Hurst Scholarship Grant

Alixandra Kriegsman

C’13 Class of 1954 Endowed

Scholarship

Vandit D. Shah C’13, W’13RS3 Endowed Scholarship and Wharton Endowed Scholarship

“As a senior in high school, I mustered the courage to dream about going to an Ivy League university knowing that my family could not afford my education. After graduation, I was able to return to my dream job at Morgan Stanley without having to worry about repaying loans. Words cannot express my appreciation for my donors and how they have altered the course of my life.”

Born and raised in India, Vandit was accepted to Penn as a Joseph Wharton Scholar and Benjamin Franklin Scholar where he completed a dual degree in Finance and Political Science. Scholarship support enabled him to embrace opportunities that included studying at Cambridge University, leadership experiences in Ecuador, and an internship at Morgan Stanley in New York, where he is currently working.

“I graduated from Penn with a major in Modern Middle Eastern Studies, a minor in Creative Writing, and exten-sive Marketing coursework through Wharton. I landed a job at Conde Nast, publisher for Vogue, The New Yorker, and Wired, where I am a Marketing Coordinator working on content marketing and creative advertising initiatives. I just moved to New York City a month ago and am absolutely in love with it!”

In short, Ali is continuing to live the dream that began when she moved to Penn from California and embarked on a journey of self-discovery, vast educational opportunities, and exploration. “My family and I are so thankful to this University, its generous donors, and the financial aid team for helping make all my dreams come true.”

Passionate about learning, solving problems, and innovating, Samantha took advantage of the doors opened to her through Penn’s scholarship support by excelling in research as a distin-guished Rachleff Scholar, earning Dean’s List honors, and completing both a bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering.

“During a summer internship, I realized that my life was headed in an exciting new direction, and I received a full-time job offer from Deloitte Consulting. Without financial aid support, it would have been impossible for me to dedicate so much focus to my studies and future goals. My Penn experience has been fantastic and I can’t wait to see where life takes me next!”

?How has Penn’s no-loan financial aid policy allowed you to pursue your dreams for the future?


WEASKED,STUDENTSANSWERED:

Michelle TuckerC’13 Steven G. Singer and Rebecca Feghali Singer Family Endowed Scholarship

Taylor O’Hare

W’13Harry Siegel Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Adam Hamilton

C’12Class of 1961

Endowed Scholarship

An English and Theater Arts major with a keen interest in marketing and design, Adam found his passions and refined his skills during his time at Penn. He served as a participant and Chief Marketing Director for Simply Chaos, Penn’s only stand-up comedy troupe.

“After graduation, I packed up my dorm room and headed straight for New York in order to pursue a career in entertainment as an actor, writer, and comedian—a dream, really. All that I did, and was able to do, an uncustomary thing really, was because Penn’s scholarship aid helped a kid from Detroit’s inner city live an uncustomary life. From honing my writing and performance skills to learning Mandarin, financial aid gave me the opportunity to focus on my true interests, instead of a career path solely determined by income and repaying loans.”

For Michelle, Penn was worlds away from her hometown near Seattle, Washington. Here, she experienced tremendous personal growth, embraced and learned from the diverse student body, and set out on a path to fine-tune her interests and career plans. An internship with the U.S. Treasury Department informed her decision to obtain her degree in Economics and she has found her niche working with an asset management company.

“Back home, I was a big fish in a little pond. I wanted to go to a great college, but thought that anything I chose would be expensive. Penn’s generous financial aid allowed me to explore majors, and gave me time to become an active Penn student. Most importantly, being around my peers changed the way I thought. I learned what it meant to aim high, and worked to achieve new goals for my future.”

“Coming from a family with little money, I always knew that college was not going to be an option without the help of great people. Without financial aid, I would not have been able to experience the greatness that Penn offers. Penn prepared me for an outstanding future, introduced me to great friends, and supported all of my interests. Financial aid made my dreams become a reality.”

Taylor combined her drive for a first-class education, her passion for dance, and her commitment to service to people in West Philadelphia, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic to create a rich experience at Penn. Graduating with a degree in Management and Operations Information Management, Taylor is working for McMaster Carr and plans to return to school to complete her MBA.

?


THE ANNUAL SCHOLA RSHIP CELEBRATIONS

In the spring of 2011, I began teaching 4th through 6th grade West Philadelphia students the basics

of financial literacy—needs versus wants, how to make a budget, the value of saving. It was exciting,

invigorating, and, without a doubt, challenging. My experience inspired me to work two more summers

at Teach For America and commit myself to the issues related to education in the United States. I

taught two more semesters in the financial literacy program and now have become its co-director,

overseeing its expansion into five schools across the city. And last summer, in addition to working

part-time with Teach For America, I won a Wharton Social Impact Research grant to further study and

explore my interests in education. I’m hooked! Yet, what has struck me most in my teaching and my

research is the disparity between opportunities for students across the country. While the school

where I initially taught was a mere seven blocks from Penn, it was, and still is, a world away—

in opportunities and resources.

In many ways, the world I had in my small hometown of North East was also a world away. Thankfully,

my world in North East and my world at Penn were brought together by the incredible generosity of

my scholarship donors, Jay and Patty Baker. They, along with so many other people—many, in fact,

here tonight—have helped countless other students, from ‘worlds away,’ to come to Penn.

To view video of Steven’s entire speech, go to www.unsp.upenn.edu/celebrations

EXCERPT FROM REMARKS BY Steven Levick W’13PATTY AND JAY BAKER LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

GIVING THANKS:FALL2012

1 Nikita Rao, ENG’16 • Balu Athreya, GM’67 2 Kathryn Cadwalader, CW’74 • Gardner Aspinwall Cadwalader, C’70, GAR’75 • Jane Zhu, W’15 3 Jalessa Mungin, C’14 • Melvin Chisum, C’43, M’52 • Gloria Twine Chisum, GR’60, HON’94 • Ernest Owens, C’14 4 Barbara J. Deuver, CW’54, PAR’68 • Zachary Burchill, C’14 • Joseph Miciak, C’15 • Elizabeth Rodriguez, C’14 • Ashley Van, C’16 • Ashton Avery, C’16 • Robert Denney, C’54, PAR’81 5 Emeritus Trustee George A. Weiss, W’65, gathered with several of the Weiss Scholars

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THE ANNUAL SCHOLA RSHIP CELEBRATIONS

Penn hooked me academically and socially, but the strongest impact was made by a Penn Nursing

family—the Spikers. Lauren and Douglas Spiker told us the story of their daughter Melissa

Sengbusch—her dream and her journey. Melissa was a typical high school senior, just like me, accepted

to Penn where she dreamt of pursuing a career in advanced practice nursing. Then in the April before

she was scheduled to come to Penn, she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare bone

marrow malignancy. During her two-year battle, Melissa lived every day to the most; she impressed so

many at Penn and all around her with her courage and determination. Melissa passed away June 22,

2000, but she has left a legacy that will never fade. Her courage and conviction for nursing was why

I could not see myself anywhere but Penn and decided to become a part of the 2013 class.

Little did I know that life would grant me one more blessing and after accepting admission at Penn,

I was informed that I would be the recipient of the Melissa Sengbusch Inspirational Scholarship. Her

scholarship is so much more than financial support. It gives me extra encouragement to know

that someone is counting on me to become the best nurse that I can be, and that they are

willing to help me attain my goals. …Now, I am proud to say that I feel like I have made the most of

my experience at Penn. I’ve spent every day caring to change the world.

To view video of Amber’s entire speech, go to www.unsp.upenn.edu/celebrations

EXCERPT FROM REMARKS BY Amber Stark NU’13

GIVING THANKS:

6 Christian Burton, W’15 • Hector Kilgoe, C’15 • Nathalie Figueroa, C’15 • Mindy Gildin Utay, C’79, PAR’12, PAR’15 • Amy Liu, W’13 7 Jesse Jia, ENG’14, W’14 • Mitchell I. Quain, EE’73, PAR’01, PAR’09 • Travis McKenzie, ENG’13 8 President Amy Gutmann • Steven Levick, W’13 • Amber Stark, NU’13 • Emeritus Trustee George A. Weiss, W’65 9 Joanne M. Runner • Jason Lokuta, W’14 • William A. Runner, Jr., WEV’64, WEV’66

8 9

76

MELISSA SENGBUSCH INSPIRATION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, PHILADELPHIA


My name is Makhosonkhe Nsibandze, son of Phindile Thobile Dlamini. I am the fifth of Musa’s 13 children. I come from a forgotten Swazi village, the subject of a king who rules through feudal systems of chiefs and village decrees.

My village knows no paved roads, police stations, nor clinics. We are invisible, appearing on no maps, in a place that Google could not name. Your gift is not tuition. It is being seen. I have stood an equal among my peers. I have worked with the greatest minds, led incredible teams, and have dreamt of things for mother I can’t even translate into siSwati.

You have given me a passport to sit at tables that had never set a place for my kind. I will sit in the minds of past and future leaders, a village boy ambassador that will take home this world and its knowledge.

You have made me your kin. I am now a gladiator in a suit that will enter the board room coliseums of this world fighting as champion of the forgotten. I stand here today, a monument to my people. In this moment, I commemorate a kinship that has molded me out of the rainless soil of Swaziland, dressed me in wings cut from the concrete of Philadelphia, and raised me up to stand on this mountain, tall, proud, and yours. We are the bright sons and daughters of Penn. In this moment, as

we shine, our blood runs red and our veins are blue.

To view video of Makho’s entire speech, go to www.unsp.upenn.edu/celebrations

EXCERPT FROM REMARKS BY Makhosonkhe Nsibandze W’13 DAVIS UNITED WORLD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

1 32

4 5 6

SPRING2013

1 Gotham Hall, New York Scholarship Celebration 2 Brian M. Gonick, W’86 • Jay Gill, ENG’15, C’15 3 Brittany W. Bell, C’11 • Allan C. Bell, C’81, PAR’11 • Esther B. Saks, C’13 • Dale Borenstein Bell, MT’81, PAR’11 4 Ann Belle Rosenberg • Sage Mandel, C’15, W’15 • Ronney Lynne Rosenberg, C’84, C’88, WG’88 • Seymour Rosenberg, PAR’88 5 Keishawn Johnson, C’16 • Lira Lee, C’90, W’90 • Jon Cohen, W’91 6 Makhosonkhe Nsibandze, W’13 • President Amy Gutmann • Alixandra Kriegsman, C’13

THE ANNUAL SCHOLA RSHIP CELEBRATIONSGIVING THANKS:


CLASS OF 1954 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

When I heard from my mom that we might not be able to afford Penn and that I might not be coming

back for my sophomore year, it seemed, all of a sudden, that freshman year would be a blip—all I had

started to build would remain unfinished. It was the most depressing news I’d ever heard.

As I pondered my new reality, I reflected on my studies: I had read memoirs of young girls in

Afghanistan who had never been to school, their opportunity taken away by the Taliban. And I was in

the process of applying to study in the Czech Republic, where not long ago, writers like Milan Kundera

had to work and teach in secret under Communist rule. These realities made me upset. They angered

me. They made me realize that learning meant so much to me. I’d always felt so lucky to be at Penn…

Without the financial means to stay, I would not only lose my Penn education, but also all of

the outside learning that came with it—the growing and the self-discovery.

Later that semester, I stopped worrying. Penn’s Student Financial Services, and in particular my

advisor Susan, made it their mission to keep me in school. The financial aid team who worked on my

file, and my Class of 1954 scholarship donors—these are the people I have to thank for everything

I’ve accomplished here.

To view video of Ali’s entire speech, go to www.unsp.upenn.edu/celebrations

EXCERPT FROM REMARKS BY Alixandra Kriegsman

10 11

87 9

C’13

7 Michelle K. Felman, WG’88 • Jean Chery, W’14 • Catalina Arango, W’14 • Wendy J. Finerman, W’82 8 Susan Drossman Sokoloff, C’84, PAR’17 • Angel Chapman, C’16 • Eliana Sokoloff, C’17 9 Marsha Roth, PAR’93, PAR’95 • Samantha Lawyer, C’14 • Steven L. Roth, W’66, PAR’93, PAR’95 10 Samaira A. Sirajee, W’15 • Melanie Smith, W’16 • James G. Dinan, W’81 • Kieran Koch-Laskowski, C’16 • Sally Mink, ENG’16 11 Matthew Gould, W’14 • Lee Spelman Doty, W’76

THE ANNUAL SCHOLA RSHIP CELEBRATIONSGIVING THANKS:

GOTHAM HALL, NEW YORK CITY


The Penn PriorityUndergraduate Financial Aid609 Franklin Building3451 Walnut StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6285

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 2563Philadelphia, PA

WELCOMEABOARD!

DESIGN: SWIVELSTUDIOS, INC.

We are grateful for the kindness of alumni, parents, and friends who contributed over $48 million to undergraduate financial aid in Fiscal Year 2013*. In addition to the many donors who supported our program by

either increasing an existing scholarship or establishing an additional scholarship, the following donors made first-time gifts to create new undergraduate named scholarships:

For more information contact Penn’s Office of Gift Planning 800.223.8236 or [email protected] or visit www.giving.upenn.edu/giftplanning.

THE POWER OF PLANNING

Anonymous (16)

Estate of Anne Polen Addicks, CW’68, G’71

Laura J. Alber, C’90

David W. Albert, C’92, W’92, WG’98

Lauren Albert

Annexstad Family Foundation

Jill J. Avery, C’88, WG’93

John Dalton Avery, WG’93

Gregory J. Barron, C’75, PAR’15

Jason A. Belinkie, W’04

Bender Foundation

Dr. Eric F. Bernstein, GEX’03, PAR’16

Lindsay Pio Blank, GED’07

Matthew S. Blank, C’03, L’08, WG’08

Samuel A. Blank, C’01

Jackie Bral, PAR’15, PAR’15

Kaveh Bral, PAR’15, PAR’15

Estate of Marian W.B. Butler

CastleOak Securities, LP

Lee Chaikin, W’95

Wendy Chaikin, C’98

Matthew L. Cherwin, W’96

Wendy Cherwin

David L. Cohen, L’81

Rhonda R. Cohen, L’80

Columbus Hill Capital Management, LP

Courtney Corleto

David N. Corleto, C’98

Laurie S. Corson, C’82, W’82, PAR’17

Charles D. Corson, PAR’17

“ We endowed the Griffiths Family Scholarship Fund to assist young men and women in acquiring the same sort of skills and inspiration that our Penn education gave to us.”

—Edith (“Peggy”) Griffiths Chisholm, CW’45, WG’46, & Frederick R. Griffiths, W’42

*July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013

Kevin D. Eng, W’93

Karen L. Finerman, W’87

Jordan Fishman, C’03

Scott M. Fishman, C’06, WG’12

Greg Geib, W’88

Kathy Geib, W’88

David I. Gluckman, WG’98

Gail Gluckman

Jeffrey L. Goldberg, W’83, WG’89

Lynny Goldberg Ravitz, OT’77

Carl H. Goldsmith, W’88

Lawrence Golub

F. Otto Haas Charitable Trust 2

Janet Haas, FEL’10

John O. Haas

Lewis J. Hart III, C’05

Brooke Hayes, W’93, WG’99

Hilary Hayes, C’93, GED’94

Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Robert K. Jackson, C’04, W’04

Jaffe Family Foundation

David R. Jaffe, C’81, W’81, PAR’14, PAR’16

Helen H. Jaffe, PAR’14, PAR’16

Lynette Jaffe

Richard E. Jaffe, C’79, G’79

David Roderick Jones, WG’93

Fay Jozoff, WG’90

Matthew J. Jozoff, WG’90

Hani Kalouti, PAR’14

Omar H. Kalouti, C’14

Ted K. Kang, W’97

Gaurav Kapadia, W’03

Sonia Jain Kapadia, C’02

Killam Canadian Funds

Daphne L. King-Yao, C’91

Geoffrey C.W. King, W’93

Anand Kinkhabwala, W’03

Mona Parikh Kinkhabwala, C’03

Ned Klingelhofer

Jonathan Koplovitz, C’90, WG’95

Kevin Kotler, W’93

Antonios N. Krontiras, G’83

Krish S. Krishnan, WG’96

Suma Krishnan

Geoffrey Lai, C’97, W’97

Linda Lewis, PAR’17

Maguire Foundation

Frances M. Maguire, PAR’94

James J. Maguire, PAR’94

Andrew William Mathias, W’95

Kristina E. Mathias, C’94, W’94

Louise F. McCready, C’07

Jimmy Miller

Scott M. Mills, W’90

Lee Scott Millstein, C’92, W’92

Sylvie Millstein

Alan K. Miyasaki, W’98

Sarah C. Murphy, PAR’15

Cheryl K. Nakao-Miller, W’81

Lauren E. Nijkerk-Bogen, C’84

Richard R. Nijkerk, ENG’86, W’86

Karen Oh

Sam Oh, W’92

Yao Hua Ooi, ENG’04, W’04

Midge Goldsmith Palley, WG’83, PAR’12

Simon D. Palley, WG’83, PAR’12

Julie Marcus Paul

Russell David Paul, C’86, W’86

Andrea Pilch, W’64

Douglas A. Present, WG’90

Susan Present

Jess M. Ravich, Esquire, W’79, WG’79, PAR’13

James A. Rotherham, W’86

Estate of Bessie M. Ruzian, CW’41, GED’64

Roberto Sallouti, W’94

Mindy Schuster, MD, C’83, FEL’92, GM’03, GR’10, PAR’16

Aydin Senkut, G’96, WG’96

Sonia Senkut

Joseph S. Sheetz, W’89

Wendy A. Sheetz

Jeffrey Marc Solomon, C’88, PAR’17

Un Hae Song

Lisa A. Tananbaum, PAR’17

Steven A. Tananbaum, PAR’17

Nicolai Tangen, W’92

Katja Tangen

David L. Tisch, C’03

Lacey A. Tisch, C’03

Bruce E. Toll, PAR’91, PAR’97, PAR’03

Robbi Toll, PAR’91, PAR’97, PAR’03

Michael K. Weaver, W’98

Adam F. Zimbler, C’03, W’03

Suzanne L. Zimbler, C’03

Jane Zenker

Richard J. Zenker, W’78

Like anything in life, a little time spent planning

can go a long way in realizing a dream. At Penn, the

need for undergraduate financial aid has never been

greater and funding a scholarship gift has never been

easier. A few words in your will or trust can offer a

student of exceptional talent the academic excel-

lence of a Penn education. There are many types of

assets that can be used to fund your scholarship gift,

including appreciated securities, IRAs and retirement plans,

life insurance, real estate, and personal property. A planned gift can

also maximize the financial and tax advantages of charitable giving.

Consider supporting a scholarship with a planned gift.

penn priority 2013

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