$3.5 billion involved, but free food and beer the biggest hit

College Green was transformed on Saturday night with tents, ice sculptures and more ethnic food than a United Nations potluck dinner.

With free beer, performances by student groups and large crowds of students, the event gave the impression that Spring Fling had moved to fall.

But this party was different - it kicked off Penn's $3.5 billion capital campaign.

Although a separate black-tie event on the recently acquired postal lands was closed to most students, the Celebration on the Green welcomed all students and alumni.

At one point, a line two blocks long stretched across Locust Walk as students waited to show their Penn IDs in order to gain access to the festivities.

Students and alumni munched on a variety of cuisines including Mexican,

Chinese and Southern food and took advantage of an open bar with Yuengling Lager, Miller Lite and Woodchuck Cider.

As attendees mingled, University President Amy Gutmann took the stage in front of College Hall to officially announce the kickoff of Penn's capital campaign.

"I want to thank all of you," Gutmann announced to the crowd assembled around her podium. "Penn's star has never been brighter."

In her speech, Gutmann announced the official target of $3.5 billion and discussed some of the goals for which the money will be used.

"We will succeed above all because we are Penn," Gutmann said.

After playing a video highlighting the goals of the campaign, students and alumni returned to eating, drinking and socializing as student performers took to the stage where Gutmann had spoken.

The University seemed to pull out all the stops for one of the biggest events in its history, including a laser-light show.

Even the Cira Centre, one of the city's most distinctive buildings, was lit up with the Penn logo to commemorate the event.

The enthusiasm that Gutmann emanated also seemed palpable among the crowd, even if not everyone was sure what they were celebrating.

Michelle Ablamsky and Dori Matheidesz, who both graduated from Penn last spring, said they were visiting campus for homecoming when they "stumbled upon" the celebration.

Students seemed to enjoy the festival-like atmosphere as they gathered under tents and over food.

The "lines are long, but the food is good," said Engineering freshman Sami Nazif, who thought the event was "a good thing."

"The school needs money from somewhere," he said.

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