Also, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted her first rally as the Democratic presidential nominee at Temple University.
Thursday, August 8
Good morning, Penn.
Happy Thursday!
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to incoming domestic and international first-year students about their experiences applying to college in the United States and abroad, and a new Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania report found that Americans are losing trust in the federal judiciary.
But first, Penn’s Gene Therapy Program and its director, James Wilson, will depart the University as of Oct. 1 and transfer operations to external companies.
Penn Gene Therapy Program director James Wilson will depart the University and the GTP’s assets will be transferred to two external companies as of Oct. 1.
The spinout was approved in an executive committee meeting of Penn’s Board of Trustees on July 31. Wilson will step down from his position — and the GTP will be fully discontinued at Penn — when the spinout takes effect. The two new companies, GEMMA Biotherapeutics and and Franklin Biolabs, will both be based in Philadelphia and aim to translate GTP research into new therapeutic treatments. Wilson will serve in leadership roles for both companies.
Wilson first founded GTP in 1993 after being recruited to Penn, but he and the program have faced controversy throughout their history. However, they have managed to revitalize the program and Penn’s reputation in the gene therapy field. Wilson also led Penn’s Orphan Disease Center, which will continue operating under new leadership upon his departure from the University.
Vice President Kamala Harris introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, at a rally at Temple University on Tuesday that drew over 14,000 supporters.
The DP spoke with two domestic and two international incoming first-year students about their experiences with college applications and why they chose Penn.
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced $22.8 million in federal funding for Philadelphia Works, the City of Philadelphia’s workforce development board.
A new report from the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that Americans’ trust in the federal judiciary system has fallen by 25% in the last two decades.
See how DP photographers captured Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s first joint rally at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on Tuesday. The event drew 14,000 supporters and marked their first rally as the presumptive Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees.
TODAY IN DP HISTORY
Photo by Kylie Cooper
In 2020, the DP reported that some resident advisors and graduate associates were considering quitting their jobs over concerns about Penn’s dismissal of their concerns regarding their responsibilities and protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. RA activism has continued on campus since then, and earlier this summer, the Penn RA and GA union unanimously ratified their first contract.
Today’s newsletter was copy edited by Asha Chawla.
Are you enjoying DP Daybreak? Please share any ideas or concerns with us by emailing The Daily Pennsylvanian’s Summer Editor-in-Chief Emily Scolnick at scolnick@thedp.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, at a 
The DP spoke with two domestic and two international incoming first-year students about their experiences with college applications and 
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced 
A new report from the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that Americans’ trust in the federal judiciary system 
Penn alumna Nia Akins missed out on the 800-meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, 
