Good afternoon, Penn community! It's Monday, August 18, 2025, and here's your latest campus news.
Currently in Philadelphia, it's cloudy with a temperature of 67°F (20°C). Expect cloudy skies throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high of 73°F (23°C) by mid-afternoon. There's a chance of showers later this morning, so keep an umbrella handy.
In a significant development, the University of Pennsylvania has announced an expansion of its financial aid program. Starting this fall, students from families earning up to $200,000 annually will be eligible for full-tuition scholarships. Additionally, the university will no longer consider home equity when calculating financial aid, making a Penn education more accessible to a broader range of students.
In leadership news, J. Larry Jameson has been appointed as the 10th president of the University of Pennsylvania, effective March 13, 2025. Jameson previously served as interim president since December 2023 and brings extensive experience from his tenure as Executive Vice President for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine.
Penn is set to lead the NSF Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry, known as NSF AIRFoundry, supported by an $18 million grant over six years. This initiative aims to accelerate RNA research using AI and educate the next generation of RNA researchers. The BioFoundry will focus on creating molecules and nanoparticles, with facilities in West Philadelphia and at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez.
The Penn Museum is hosting the "Ancient Alcohol Tour and Tasting" on Wednesday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m. This 45-minute tour explores ancient drinking games, hieroglyphs related to alcohol, and vessels from King Midas's feast. The event concludes with a tasting of Dogfish Head Brewery’s Midas Touch beer, brewed in collaboration with the Penn Museum.
The Penn Quakers football team participated in the Ivy League Football Media Day on August 11. Head Coach Ray Priore, along with senior defensive lineman Paul Jennings and quarterback Liam O'Brien, shared their insights on the upcoming season. The Quakers will kick off their 2025 season on Saturday, September 20, at 1 p.m. against Stonehill. They'll begin Ivy League play at Franklin Field on Saturday, October 4, against Dartmouth. Tickets are available now.
The Wharton School invites business journalists to apply for the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists, scheduled for October 20-22, 2025, on Penn's Philadelphia campus. Led by prominent Wharton professors, the program offers intensive lectures and hands-on exercises to enhance understanding of key business and economic issues. Applications are open until September 3, with several funding opportunities available.
That's all for today's update. Stay informed and engaged, and we'll be back with more news soon.