Gutmann's Halloween bash is 'Wicked'

President Amy Gutmann hobnobbed with impersonator Cliff Jones and other costumed students at her annual Halloween Party.

When University President Amy Gutmann throws a party, she draws a crowd.

Gutmann's house at 3812 Walnut St. was open to students last night for a Halloween party with a theme inspired by the Broadway musical "Wicked." A pavilion was set up in her backyard, and after walking through the house to reach it, students could get their picture taken with Gutmann.

The party was full of candy and beverages and was, at times, so full it was difficult to walk around. There was a line of about 100 people waiting to get in when doors opened at 7.

"The turnout is the best we've ever had," Gutmann said.

Many Penn characters showed up for the opportunity to take a picture with Gutmann, or, more accurately, "Glinda, the Good Witch," as Penn's president styled herself for the evening.

Sam Tell, a Wharton and Engineering sophomore, dressed as Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby-winning racehorse that broke its leg and is being treated at a Penn School of Veterinary Medicine facility in the suburbs. He wore a horse mask and was in a wheel chair with his leg in a cast, pushed by his "trainer," College sophomore Andy Ogden.

Gutmann "was very gentle and very loving to the horse," Ogden said after posing for a picture.

Also in attendance was a more masculine version of Amy Gutmann, Wharton and Engineering fifth-year senior Cliff Jones in a wig.

"I was so glad to have Glinda the Good Witch in my home," said the hairier Gutmann, who then gave a nervous giggle.

Some more infamous figures were also in attendance.

There was, for instance, an impersonator of Scott Ward, the ex-Wharton professor who is awaiting trial for importing child pornography earlier this year. The costume was complete with a fake boy whose head was at the level of the impersonator's crotch.

Engineering senior Saad Saadi came dressed as a suicide bomber, or, as he alternately titled the costume, a "freedom martyr."

Gutmann said she dressed as Glinda this year because she wanted to be something that was connected to Penn.

"Wicked" was produced in part by Penn graduates Mark Platt, Class of '79, and David Stone, '88.

She said she was also happy to see a "record number" of students in costumes.

She said her favorites were Barbaro and the Amy Gutmann impersonator.

"The Good Witch and the good president - what can I say?" she said of her photo with Jones.

Comments (2)

I earned a bachelor's and a Ph.D. degree from Penn over 40 years ago; however, I have since severed all sentimental and charitable ties. What I read by chance, from time-to-time, about student and faculty activities at Penn not only sickens me but convinces me I was justified in disrupting my association with the University. The so-called Halloween party in Ms. Gutmann's back yard--who paid for it?--was juvenile; the affair reflected negatively on the Institution. What is next, a fun recruitment drive for campus Freedom Fighters? Mr. Saadi, if he wouldn't volunteer to fight, ought to be encouraged to complete his indoctrination somewhere else in the world. Ms. Gutmann should be viewed by all reasonable alumni as reflecting discredit on Pennsylvania.

I am absolutely horrified by the picture of Amy Gutman and that piece of trash Saad Saadi How can the president of one of the most prestigious schools in the world happily pose for a photograph with a symbol of hate? My thoughts go out to those who lost relatives and friends in the 9/11 attacks and to our courageous men and women who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and to all of the Israelis who deal with suicide bombers on a daily basis. Amy Ð your excuse was insulting and for the first time, I can say that I am ashamed to be a part of the Penn community. If I ever see that piece of trash on the street, I will make it a point to slap the living shit of out him all of the way back to Syria where he belongs.

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