Local hero Fortunately for his neighbors — and his city — Pedro Ramos hasn’t forgotten where he came from. And as president of the Board of Public Education, he’s in the thick of the fight over the future of Philadelphia’s public schools. HIV prevention goes to the barrio Student spotlight: Thouron Scholar builds a strong foundation Staff Q&A: Willie Glymph looks back at 35 years on the road for Penn Research: How the brain divides its labors Famous former inmate blasts prison system Asians emerge High anxiety? New center can help Six to receive honorary degrees Sing-along time Current gets gold medals Hip-hop meets Ivy League For What It's Worth: And now, managed learning! Academic All-Ivies Event Listings Editor's Pick What's on WXPN A primer for tomorrow's working women Learn the moves from the champs Readers' Best News Briefs Bookquick Quoted Recently Awards & Honors Appointments Conference Call Campus Buzz

April 20, 2000 CONFERENCE CALL “Transcending Traditions,” a two-day conference today and tomorrow at the Penn Tower Hotel, explores the intersections between African, Afro-American and African diaspora studies. The conference is free and open to the public; for registration and information visit www.africa.upenn.edu/africa/transc.html or call Lynette Loose at 215-898-3883.