As I begin my term as Chairman of the Penn Board of Overseers, I am constantly reminded of what it means to be on a college campus. The excitement of new classes, the reconnection with friends, and the anticipation of what the year will bring all are in evidence. The students at Penn are full of youthful enthusiasm and seem to be constantly “running” to the next thing on their to-do lists. At an early move in reception for students and families, I was privileged to have the opportunity to welcome the Class of 2012 to Penn Hillel. I was moved by the excitement and the stories I heard as a new group of extraordinary students prepared to begin their studies at the University of Pennsylvania. I also marveled at how so many of them had already formed social networks with each other primarily through Facebook. Before they even arrived on campus, these motivated students were already immersed into the fold of campus life. I credit the staff and student leaders of Hillel for their diligent work at creating this strong and vibrant community – both online and within the campus walls. The leaves are beginning to turn on campus and Rosh Hashanah is behind us. Soon we will welcome hundreds of parents and siblings to campus for Family Weekend and reconnect with alumni during Homecoming. Our board is gearing up throughout the fall to work with the Penn Hillel staff to create a vibrant Jewish community and provide activities that all of Penn’s college community will find intellectually rewarding and exciting. I am pleased to say that our annual campaign is moving ahead as planned and we are constantly identifying new funding sources. However, I would be less than candid with you if I didn’t note that the nation’s economic woes are affecting some of our donors. We will need to redouble our efforts to be sure that we have the funds necessary to maintain the excellence of our programming. To those of you who continue to help us in this let me offer a sincere “Thank you.” As friends, alumni and parents hear about Jewish life at Penn, the word we hear most often is “WOW.” I invite you all to come and experience Penn – whether as a reunion participant, Shabbat dinner at Family Weekend, or just because you are in the neighborhood – I hope you will stop in and have the opportunity to say “WOW” to all of us. Marty Lautman
Chair, Penn Hillel Board of Overseers
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