The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Jenny Zhan | A more humble Huntsman program

Here in Philly, VIP treatment isn't just limited to the hottest nightclubs in town.

At the highly anticipated Republican Senator John McCain /Utah Governor Jon Huntsman event last Monday, while hundreds of students patiently waited outside Zellerbach Theater, my Huntsman colleagues and I effortlessly skipped the queues despite our late arrival.

"This venue has reached full capacity," the security guards announced as they pushed back the crowd, but gave us the go-ahead. Looks of confusion and jealousy began to circulate around us. I, too, was bothered by the unfairness, though I did feel somewhat special - sorry, but we're on the list.

Throughout the evening, Senator McCain repeatedly expressed his high regard for our Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, a joint-degree course of study appropriately named after the Utah Governor's philanthropist father.

The praise surely resonated well with us. Sitting together in a reserved front row section, we cheered and reveled in the extra attention.

Yet I wondered if others in the audience viewed our behavior as showcasing our elitist attitude.

Indeed, despite their best intentions to provide a unique interdisciplinary education, the Huntsman Program and similar creations can sometimes divide rather than unite our University.

Some students see the Huntsman label as an all-access pass to an exclusive club. Standing austerely across from Huntsman Hall, our program lounge remains an unknown realm whose modern conveniences like computers and printers are only enjoyed by the fortunate few. Except for a handful daring prospective freshmen and their equally eager parents, outsiders rarely venture into this foreign territory.

And to be fair, the perceived arrogance of "Huntsmanites" isn't entirely false. When making self-introductions, some never neglect to mention their affiliation with the program - in a seemingly casual manner as to not sound overtly ostentatious. The prestige factor usually works, producing the desired "wow" effect in making a good first impression.

But this is true only of an annoying few. Most Huntsman students are simply grateful to the program and the community it provides.

Sophomore Aditi Kumar revealed that she embraces her Huntsman heritage, since "the program offers us so much, it would almost seem ungrateful if we don't express our pride."

Aside from the ample amount of free food, most Program students truly treasure the lasting bonds of camaraderie they have formed with their fellow "Huntsmanites" since freshmen year, when everyone takes a small history class and lives on the same floor together.

Other bonding opportunities range from frequent guest-speaker lectures and welcoming receptions to ice-cream socials and holiday celebrations. The care and support from faculty members further foster a sense of community.

In fact, the program provides a home away from home, particularly for the 43 percent of international students. Jeongsoo Choi, a Huntsman sophomore originally from India, certainly agrees with this point. "I really wish that the program office is open 24/7," she said sincerely. "I would sleep here!"

Exclusivity and pride don't have to lead to elitism. Our strong Huntsman spirit simply highlights the importance of being a part of a tight-knit community at a large university like Penn.

I admit that the extra perks of being in the Huntsman program might not seem reasonable from an egalitarian point of view. After all, since we Penn students are all competent individuals whose parents pay the same amount of hefty Ivy League tuition, why should some of us receive more advantages than others?

Personally - as hypocritical as it sounds - I could do without those checkboxes for "special program status" (Huntsman, M&T;, Vagelos, etc.) on, say, finance-class applications. I just don't see any correlation between my being a Huntsman student and my ability to deal with financial modeling. But when it comes to securing these coveted spots, preferential treatment still plays a role. Well, I guess life isn't always fair.

Nevertheless, it is the strong ties within our community that defines the Huntsman experience and gives us reason to be proud; not the attractive material incentives that seem to allure some and upset others.

Still, there's no question that the advantages make for a slippery slope. Huntsman students should continue to take caution as we walk the fine line between displaying innocent pride and blatant haughtiness. A lesson or two in the virtue of humility perhaps isn't such a bad idea after all.

Jenny Zhan is a College and Wharton sophomore from Pleasanton, Calif. Her e-mail address is zhan@dailypennslyvanian.com. Jenny from the 'Burbs appears on Fridays.

Comments (27)

All I can say to this is, "Wow". As a rising Huntsman sophomore, I cannot suppress the wave of embarrassment and shame that is currently passing over me after having read this column. I have to agree with the previous responses and admit that very few people know exactly what the Huntsman program is, let alone have a strong bias towards its members. However, for those who do know, the reaction is usually a combination of raised eyebrows and a derisive follow-up related to elitism. I could never understand why this was the case, given that most Huntsman kids I know are decently modest, and many try to avoid the label, save during OCR or course registration. However, now I know why; the particularly vocal and particularly arrogant members of the program seem often to coincide. So, I guess I should thank you, Ms. Zhang, for garnering recognition for (or should I say, against) the program. People like yourself are the impeti for negative stereotypes everywhere.

in case anyone's still reading this, the author is expressing entirely her own views. I'm a huntsman student and still cringe at the mention of this godawful article two years on

1. This article is ostensibly about how non-elitist the Huntsman program is, but instead it�?s just a litany of all the reasons that the Huntsman program is actually better than non-Huntsman: - �?reserved front row section�? - �?ample amount of free food�? - �?all-access pass to an exclusive club�? - �?our program lounge remains an unknown realm�? - �?everyone takes a SMALL history class�? - �?frequent guest-speaker lectures�? - �?ice-cream socials and holiday celebrations�? It obviously says more about the author�?s elitism. Why else would she need to point out how great the program is? It is easier for a person to perceive elitism if they actually feel that they are better, and therefore the elitism is justified. Enjoy it while you feel it Jenny, cause it's only when you're at Penn that people will know and care what Huntsman is. 2. Even the column�?s title is semi-elitist: �?Jenny from the �?burbs�? (read: suburban, affluent) as a play on "Jenny from the block" (read: urban, poor)

her columns are always bad. did you expect more?

this article sucks

Tell the Saudi/Egyptian Huntsman kid who questioned McCain about America's "support" for terrorism that if it's so bad here, he should drop out of Penn and go back to his Middle Eastern shithole. Thanks.

She (the author) is fugly, in addition to being a shit writer.

McCain: "...the Huntsman program..." Huntsman Students: "WOO HOO! WOW WE ROCK!!! *whistles* YEAH!!!" Me: "Wow, what a bunch of arrogant morons."

has the author and the editor realized that her articles have very rarely gotten positive feedback?

This article is absolute crap. Really, I don't give a damn about your Huntsman program, and no, it's not impressive that you're in it. International students and business? Now that's challenging. I invite you to try real subjects like math and computer science.

In 4 years of reading DP editorials this is probably the worst I have ever read. Unless the author was writing it with a deliciously subversive irony--which I doubt unless she is in Philo or minoring in English or doing something else that encourages creativity--then it is a tragic testament to a complete lack of self-awareness. "Indeed, despite their best intentions to provide a unique interdisciplinary education, the Huntsman Program and similar creations can sometimes divide rather than unite our University." only in your self-important mind, champ. Get over yourself.

In all the years I've attended this school, this day marks the first time I've ever been ashamed of being an Asian-American on Penn's campus. We pride ourselves in humility and you have to go and ruin it. I officially disown you from the Asian race on behalf of well...all of us. I'm sure the other Huntsmanites share the same sentiment.

This article is complete crap. No one else cares about your warped sense of self-importance. Talk about delusions of grandeur...

What a self-indulgent article. I'm sure most people aren't thinking about how amazing or arrogant Huntsman students are. In fact, I'd even venture to say that most people aren't aware of Huntsman's existence at all. Good, shameless plug though.

Some women use sex to feel better about themselves- others write articles like this one. We shouldn't be too harsh- it's a great way to avoid STDs!

To "Great Article": Philo refers to the Philomathean Society, not the Philosophy department which is what I assume you meant. But of course, somebody who thought this was a great article probably wouldn't know what philo is...And even then, your comments about the TA serve no real point--their age/ after-class activities have no bearing on the strength of the department.

this is the most pompous, arrogant, elitist article. Jenny, you are an awful writer and suck at life. Wait 4 years till no one cares or even knows about your huntsman program. I expect writing like this to come from harvard or yalies, but I expect more from penn. DP-drop Jenny as a writer. An article like this is embarrasing for penn.

Yet I wondered if others in the audience viewed our behavior as showcasing our elitist attitude. Hmm, not at the time, probably, but I'd say yes now that you've published this.

Why would you write something like this? It's pretty obnoxious.

You almost did a good job of disguising your hauteur under a veil of humility. Obviously, no one bought it. I won't mention what program I'm in and I won't try to tell you if it�?s harder or easier, more exclusive or less. There's no point to that just like there was no point to this article. I will tell you that I certainly wouldn't write an article about the perks of being in the program and how exclusive it is and throw in 'oh a lesson in humility is good' at the end to make myself think I'm not being arrogant. You can't seriously think anybody believed that, can you? If you are truly humble like you claim you wouldn't have written this article. You need to learn to write a more convincing argument. That starts with not writing about how you enjoy your program's exclusivity when attempting to profess how humility is a good thing. Unless, of course, you wanted everyone to think you are just a stuck up B. In which case, congrats.

To those touting "Philo": Last time I checked, the Huntsman Program didn't accept 60 year old deadbeat teaching assistants who creepily lurk around the La Terrasse bar and refer to themselves as "The Colonel."

[QUOTE id="9074ba60-c4d2-4dc8-87c8-b7e40d0d4535"]In 4 years of reading DP editorials this is probably the worst I have ever read. Unless the author was writing it with a deliciously subversive irony--which I doubt unless she is in Philo or minoring in English or doing something else that encourages creativity--then it is a tragic testament to a complete lack of self-awareness. "Indeed, despite their best intentions to provide a unique interdisciplinary education, the Huntsman Program and similar creations can sometimes divide rather than unite our University." only in your self-important mind, champ. Get over yourself.[/QUOTE] She definetly gets a kick out of writing columns that piss people off. But isn�?t that the point of the DP? School newspapers are completely artificial: no one does any real investigative reporting, they just regurgitate what DPS and various clubs tell them. Likewise, the columnists write pieces to amuse themselves. I wouldn�?t call this literary, but I supose some irony exists above the columnists consciousness: isn�?t it funny that you think the way you do, Ms Zhan? You have an A plus, in my book. And since you�?re reading this�? I know you get a kick out of reading these comments�? I would really like to get to know you personally, Ms Zhan. I may stop by the lounge at some point. p.s. I am not the panty thief, in case you were wondering.

Here in Philly, VIP treatment isn't just limited to the hottest nightclubs in town. - i wonder if you even go out? and certainly not to the hottest clubs haha, because there the VIPs have more tact and grace than the you displayed in your article. also, I find it interesting that you try (admit fail) at portraying humility, yet when i facebook you, your "field" lists "International Studies/Business (Huntsman)" ... if you want to promote modesty, you should start with yourself. i was embarassed to read such an article coming from a penn student, and i recommend that you reconsider the logic in your argument.

[QUOTE id="410a9eec-ccdd-4e05-b676-5580cce6a5ed"]"Here in Philly, VIP treatment isn't just limited to the hottest nightclubs in town." - i wonder if you even go out? and certainly not to the hottest clubs haha, because there the VIPs have more tact and grace than the you displayed in your article. also, I find it interesting that you try (admit fail) at portraying humility, yet when i facebook you, your "field" lists "International Studies/Business (Huntsman)" ... if you want to promote modesty, you should start with yourself. i was embarassed to read such an article coming from a penn student, and i recommend that you reconsider the logic in your argument.[/QUOTE] Really, she lists herself as "International Studies/Business (Huntsman)" on facebook? That is hilarious.

...jeez...i am in the huntsman program, and please believe not all of us are howling pricks, despite the evidence you may see in the pages of the dp...in fact, i would have hoped we were less elitist/snobbish/stuck up than your average, er, philo member, but miss zhan is doing good work in the proving-me-wrong line...this article just makes me cringe