Good afternoon, Penn community. It's Monday, August 4, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus.
Currently, it's sunny and 72 degrees in Philadelphia. Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the day, reaching a high of 90 degrees by 4 PM. Be sure to stay hydrated and take precautions if you're spending time outdoors.
Effective July 1, Russell Composto and Kelly Jordan-Sciutto have been appointed as Penn's new vice provosts for undergraduate and graduate education, respectively. Both are longtime educators and first-generation college graduates, recognized for their leadership and commitment to student success.
The Lurie family has generously donated $50 million to establish the Lurie Autism Institute, a joint initiative between Penn Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The institute will focus on groundbreaking autism research and treatment across the lifespan, aiming to develop advanced lab models and study autism-related genes as potential therapeutic targets.
A naming gift from Stephanie and Dan Zilberman has established the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections at Penn Libraries. The center will transform the fifth floor of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library into a hub for global engagement, featuring galleries, seminar rooms, and spaces for study and collaboration. This project is part of a broader effort to modernize library spaces by 2026.
A new study led by Penn climate scientist Michael Mann reveals that extreme summer weather patterns—such as heat domes, floods, and wildfires—have nearly tripled since the 1950s. This increase is attributed to a phenomenon called quasi-resonant amplification, where large, slow-moving planetary waves in the jet stream intensify and become stalled. The study underscores the growing impact of climate change on global weather patterns.
On July 1, Penn and the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights resolved an investigation into the university's compliance with Title IX for women's athletics. The resolution addresses complex issues surrounding gender inclusion in sports, and the university is committed to adhering to federal guidelines while fostering an inclusive environment for all students.
In March, reports emerged suggesting a suspension of $175 million in federal funding to Penn. The university has stated that it has not received official notification or details regarding this suspension. Penn emphasizes its compliance with NCAA and Ivy League policies concerning student participation in athletic teams and is actively seeking solutions to minimize potential impacts on faculty, staff, and ongoing research initiatives.
The Institute of Contemporary Art is hosting "Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses," an in-depth survey of Cheng's work from the 1960s to the present. The exhibition runs from January 18 to April 6, 2025, and features artworks that intersect identity, technology, and ecology.
Additionally, "A Selection of Mexican Ex-Votos" is on display at the Holman Biotech Commons through February 2025. This exhibition offers insight into Mexican religious folk practices through selections from the Dr. William H. Helfand collection of ex-votos and devotional paintings on medical subjects.
That's all for today's update. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy your day.