He said yes Penn Trustee George Weiss (W'65) offered inner city students a free college education. They became his children, bringing him joy, pain and wisdom. Product designer scoots to success Student spotlight: Soccer and family fuel a winner Staff Q&A: Steven Capsuto, gay and lesbian television expert Research: Faith — the anti-drug Students' summer school stops the clock New secretary Penn gives Lea $1.5 mil. Snapshot: A reluctant speaker explains herself (briefly) Wax on, wax off For What It's Worth: Takeovers no fix for education Chillin' Event Listings Editor's Pick What's on WXPN Readers' Best News Briefs Bookquick Quoted Recently Awards & Honors Appointments Campus Buzz

Sept. 28, 2000 CAMPUS BUZZ BY SANDY SMITH Babs’s last backup: First it was “The Phantom of the Opera.” Now it’s something really huge. The producers of Barbra Streisand’s final live concerts have asked the University Choir, directed by William Parberry, to accompany La Barbra as she delivers her swan song at Madison Square Garden Sept. 27 and 28. JEG Productions had previously engaged the choir as backup to Michael Crawford (the original “Phantom”) on his East Coast tour two years ago and were majorly impressed. So they’ve been invited back for this once-in-a-lifetime event. They will be joined by the Central Baptist Choir of New York City for both sold-out concerts. Models wanted: Do you know an employee here who delivers for dear old Penn by thinking outside the box? Now’s the time to propose him or her as a Model of Excellence. Nominations are now being accepted for the second annual Models of Excellence Awards, to be given next spring. The cash awards recognize individual employees and teams who, through their efforts, further Penn’s mission creatively and deliver service or results beyond everyday expectations. Full details about the Models of Excellence Program can be found on the Web at www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/models or by contacting Quality of Worklife Programs Manager Marilyn Kraut (kraut@hr.upenn.edu; 215-898-0380). Deadline for nominations is Nov. 8. Feed your head: How’s this for brain food? If you’re hungry to get more out of your favorite Penn professor, it’s now as easy as saying, “Let’s meet for dinner.” Under the new Standing Invitation program, undergraduates can invite their teachers to a meal anytime in any of the college house dining halls. Faculty in Annenberg, Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Nursing and Wharton need only swipe their PennCards to join students for a meal; other faculty teaching undergraduate courses can eat with coupons available from the college house offices. Students interested in dining with their profs can visit www.upenn.edu/resliv/chas/invite.html for more information on Standing Invitation. Penn in ink: A team of scientists have found concrete evidence of the flood described in the Book of Genesis at the bottom of the Black Sea off the coast of Turkey. Assistant Professor of Archaeology Frederik Hiebert, the team’s archaeologist, said in The Irish Times Sept. 16 that the group’s discovery of 7,500-year-old dwellings and tools 550 feet beneath the surface of the sea was nothing short of incredible: “This is a major discovery that will rewrite the history of civilizations in this key area between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.”…In a Sept. 16 editorial urging Buffalo, N.Y., teachers to give a little on benefits to ensure enough money to educate the kids, The Buffalo News relied on Center for Greater Philadelphia Director Ted Hershberg for backup. “Don’t confuse the business of the union (with) the best interest of the kids or the citizens,” he said. What's the buzz? Tell us what's happening! Call us at 215-898-1426, send e-mail to current@ pobox.upenn.edu or drop a line to the Current at 200 Sansom East/6106.