President’s Corner

If you are part of the great Class of 2012, then you are probably just as  baffled as I am at where the past three years have flown. Time has        been moving incredibly fast over our collegiate careers and this year    will undoubtedly zoom by faster than ever. It’s because of this that I    strongly emphasize taking as much advantage of this final year at  Penn as possible. Penn, college, and the school environment we are   in now will all be over before we know it.

Check out some new clubs for this year, trying out activities you would  have never thought of doing before. Or, heck, make your own club –  after all, once you’ve landed that job/grad school/research grant/etc,  what are you going to do with that new free time? If you’re trying to l  learn outside of classes, there are some great preceptorials you should check out on PennPortal. Maybe your more interested in seeing what your fellow peers have been up to in their respective involvements. Hit up as many sporting games (in the process, check out the new Penn Park!), performing arts events, and other campus on-goings as possible. With so many things going on all the time, there’s no excuse to ever find yourself bored this year.

In addition to pursuing more on-campus events, definitely take advantage of the everything Philadelphia has to offer this year. If you’re into the arts then definitely check out a Symphony or the Philadelphia Film Festival this year. If you’re a sports fan, there’s no better time to be rooting on the Phillies. Most of you are 21 now, so why not check out the Sugar House Casino some night? And let’s not forget the endless dining adventures to be had in the City of Brotherly Love.

All in all, really push yourself to make the most of this year. It will probably be, for most of us, the last opportunity to freely explore and learn without being constrained by work, family, and other obligations. We as the Senior Class Board are working to do as much as possible to maximize your ultimate college year experience and hope you really do maximize this year. Get amped, 2012!

Best,

Jibran Khan

President, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2012

Isn’t it great to be back on campus again? The hectic hustle and bustle of Locust Walk brings back fond memories of last year and excitement for a fresh new start. Thankfully, this time around we’ve become much more accustomed to the inner workings of Penn and college in general. Nevertheless, junior year beckons much more learning – not just education-wise, but in every aspect of our lives. Learning about what truly interests us, where we belong, and who we ultimately want to see ourselves become. And with all these areas, there’s no better place for learning than here at the University of Pennsylvania.

As one of the Benjamin Franklin quotes on 37th street tells us, “He that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master.” Thankfully, however, at Penn we never have to rely on teaching ourselves. On the contrary, with the multitude world-renowned professors and highly-acclaimed administrators guiding us for our four years, there’s no question that the amount of learning one can achieve here at Penn is endless. But in no way is our learning limited to the classroom – we learn just as much (if not more) from the peers who surround us. Within our Graduating Class of 2012 are among the world’s most outstanding scholars, artists, and athletes of our age. Individually, all of us contribute something unique to Penn’s campus. But as an aggregate Class of 2012, we are an absolute powerhouse force to be reckoned with. Come 50 years from now, and it is undoubtedly certain that the Class of 2012 will leave immense footprints in every part of the world, in every possible area of advancement.

This may be our third year year, but as we realized at the end of last year, time flies at Penn like no other. Take advantage of every opportunity Penn throws at you this year. Try something you’d never imagine yourself doing. Study a subject you’d never see yourself studying. Meet and make new friends from places you’d never think you would visit. This is what Penn is all about – endless opportunity. I truly hope you have a phenomenal and memorable junior year. You’re only a Penn student for one more year after this one, so make the most of all endeavors you may pursue.

Best,
Jibran Khan
President, Class of 2012