Sept. 4, 2003

• Special Report: Service at Penn: A way of life
  How Penn has incorporated community service into every aspect of its operations.
• Service and learning go together across the campus
• Center helps big dreamers start small businesses
• Seeds of better health grow in U-City
• CCP spreads gospel of civic engagement
• Penn programs fill local needs
• Penn VIPS harness the impulse to do good

• Another summer of work
• Time once again to rebuild a nation
• Band of pioneers

• Research: Reheated blues: The thrill is gone
• Staff Q&A: Meet Joanne Spigonardo, who gives the term "legacy" new meaning.

• Ask Benny: "Employer-funded" health insurance? Huh?
• These days, it's all about Benjamin
• Secure your bike
• New cafes, retail options debut this fall
  

• Event Listings
• Editor's Pick: Four decades out front
• See the world for a few dollars more
• Talkin' justice at the NCC
• Admissions demystified
• Get out of line on payday
• People's Choice: Where do you park?

• News Briefs
• Bookquick from the University Press
• Quoted recently
• Awards & Honors
• At Work with...Francine Roscoe
• Campus Buzz

Office of University Communications home page

SPECIAL REPORT

Service at Penn: A way of life

Service runs deep in Penn’s blood.

The notion that service is an important part of education was part of founder Ben Franklin’s original vision, which saw “an Inclination joined with an Ability to serve Mankind” as “the great Aim and End of all Learning.”

In the past two decades, Penn has embraced this vision enthusiastically. Community service is now an integral part of life at Penn, and both the institution and the community are better for it.

Faculty and students have gained new insights by helping communities solve their problems. Institutional ventures have planted the seeds of future growth by assisting local entrepreneurs. And community residents now see the University as a valuable partner in achieving their goals.

Penn has given service its official seal of approval through several programs and offices, including Civic House, Penn VIPS and the Center for Community Partnerships.

If new school buildings, new shops and mortgage guarantees are the physical side of Penn’s involvement with its community, the programs we explore in this special report are the human side. The two work together to make Philadelphia a better place.

— Sandy Smith

Articles in this special report:

• Service and learning go together across the campus
• Center helps big dreamers start small businesses
• Seeds of better health grow in U-City
• CCP spreads gospel of civic engagement
• Penn programs fill local needs
• Penn VIPS harnesses the impulse to do good