| GAPSA’s Inaugural GradFest07 |
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April 10, 2007, Volume 53, No. 29
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The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) is pleased to announce GradFest07, to be held on Saturday, May 5, as an unprecedented day of fun and festive events for all graduate and professional students at the University of Pennsylvania. An effort led by GAPSA, the Graduate Student Center, and a planning committee comprised of students from all 12 schools at the University, GradFest07 has been designed to:
• Strengthen the students’ sense of connection with the University
• Celebrate and show appreciation for their academic achievements
• Start a unique post-undergraduate Penn tradition
Oftentimes, the busy lives of graduate and professional students at Penn go on without receiving the attention and recognition they deserve for their achievements. GradFest07 aims to increase the visibility of graduate and professional student presence at Penn in a fun and relaxing way.
“GradFest will cater to the diverse interests and lifestyles of all graduate and professional students at Penn,” said GAPSA Vice Chair Joung Lee. “We [at GAPSA] have been fortunate to receive the enthusiastic support of University administrators in our endeavor to build a stronger sense of community among our 11,000+ students.”
Vice Provost for University Life, Dr. Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum noted, “VPUL is absolutely delighted to support this inaugural celebration of the University life and contributions of Penn’s fabulous graduate and professional students!”
Events include a family-friendly carnival on College Green and picnic in Wynn Commons, rock climbing and dodgeball tournament at the Pottruck Center, themed campus tours hosted by the Graduate Student Center, book signing by Penn alumni authors at the Penn Bookstore, and a reception in Houston Hall. A special feature of GradFest07 will be “fun” shops hosted by each of the 12 schools so that graduate and professional students have the opportunity to display, demonstrate, or share a fun activity representing their intellectual pursuits and talents at Penn with other students. The evening concludes with the annual GAPSA boat cruise taking place aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. All events except the annual boat cruise will offer free admission for all graduate and professional students.
In addition to GAPSA and the University, GradFest07 is sponsored by Bank of America, Coca Cola, Southwest Airlines, and Aramark. “Penn’s Business Services division has been a tremendous help in securing corporate sponsorship to make GradFest07 a reality,” said Mr. Lee. “As a result, we will have great food, an array of fun activities, and lots of raffle prizes and free gifts for our GradFest participants.”
Interested graduate and professional students are encouraged to register early for a chance to win raffle prizes and secure tickets for the boat cruise. Registration information is available through the GradFest07 website at www.gsc.upenn.edu/gradfest.
“You wouldn’t want to miss the beginning of a lasting and uniquely Penn tradition,” said Mr. Lee. |
