When you're not at Franklin Field decked out in red and blue, cheering for Penn and throwing toast, you can check out the other events planned for Homecoming Weekend.
Penn Alumni, the alumni organization that arranges Homecoming festivities, has something planned for every minute from Friday morning through the late hours of Saturday night. Most events are free and open to the entire Penn community.
The Penn in Print series runs throughout the weekend, kicking off Friday morning with a discussion entitled Public Discourse in America led by Stephen Steinberg. The topic will be a collection of essays he co-edited with University President Judith Rodin.
Other highlights of Penn in Print include a forum with Penn alumni authors, a literary open house at the Penn Women's Center -- featuring books by female faculty and alumnae -- and a reception and book signing.
In conjunction with its 30th anniversary celebration, the Penn Women's Center will host a number of special events for Homecoming. In addition to the literary open house, the center is holding a Women's Sculpture Presentation on Friday afternoon, followed by a reception. The Women's Sculpture is on the renovated Hill Field.
The Women's Center anniversary brunch on Saturday will include a panel discussion led by distinguished female alumnae.
Homecoming also offers more opportunities for art enthusiasts. All Penn galleries and museums are offering free admission for the weekend, and the Annenberg Center will provide discounted tickets to Saturday's show for Penn alumni.
Friday night's main event is the 69th Alumni Award of Merit Gala at the National Constitution Center. Tickets can be purchased for the cocktail reception, dinner and program, or the reception alone. The gala will honor five outstanding alumni, the classes of 1943 and 1993 and the Penn Alumni Club of Boston.
On Saturday, before the much-anticipated Penn-Princeton football game, everyone is invited to join the "Tailgate on the Green," featuring the Penn Band and other student performing groups, as well as arts and crafts and food and drinks for sale.
There will also be various open houses around campus, at locations ranging from the Quadrangle to the new Weiss Tech House.
Various post-game receptions will be held all over campus as well. Engineering alumni can participate in a free celebration in Levine Hall, hosted by the Engineering Alumni Society. Daily Pennsylvanian alumni can head to the DP office at 40th and Walnut streets. A reception at Penn's new Hillel building, Steinhardt Hall, will also be held after the game.
Saturday night brings many more opportunities to continue the Homecoming celebration. The "Taste of Penn Diversity Celebration" will be held at Huntsman Hall. Penn's alumni Diversity Affinity and Interest Groups have joined to plan an evening with food and music.
At the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, the fifth annual "Red and Blue Rendezvous" will showcase live music by young alumni. The party will also feature a magician and a beer and wine bar.
Believe it or not, this is only a sampling of Homecoming Weekend's festivities. For the full schedule of event times and locations, visit Penn Alumni's Web site at www.alumni.upenn.edu.
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