CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Indrayudh “Indy” Shome

The Citizen’s Educator of the Year is a four language-speaking, music-playing, digital media expert who also loves to share his passion for gardens. He’s inspiring students across the city to make their voices heard

By Courtney DuChene
Guest Commentary

Claudine Gay’s Enemies Are Not Our Friends

Just a month after Penn President Liz Magill stepped down, a rabbi and author reflects on how culture warriors weaponized Jewish grief and forced Harvard University’s president to resign

By Jay Michaelson

New Year’s Resolutions For Higher Ed

Could 2024 be the year our colleges and universities do more for Philadelphia students and for democracy? A long-time university president thinks it has to be

By Elaine Maimon

Donors Must Defend University Integrity

Autonomy from wealthy and powerful funders, a longtime college president warns, is fundamental to the work of universities — including Penn, whose president, Liz Magill, resigned this week.

By Elaine Maimon

MEET THE 2023 CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

Join us in honoring the most impactful Philadelphians of 2023 at a dinner featuring MSNBC’s Ali Velshi and actor and activist George Takei

By Jessica Blatt Press

Where is the Moral Clarity?

Neither Penn’s president nor her Congressional interrogators demonstrated the fundamental principle in House hearings about antisemitism on campus, a longtime university president laments

By Elaine Maimon

Improv to the Rescue

Philly’s robust improv community is using the comedy staple as an avenue for spreading life skills, connections and conversation for those who most need it (i.e., all of us)

By Daralyse Lyons

The [Insert Name Here] High School in Your Neighborhood

What would happen if middle class families in Philly embraced their local high schools the way they have their elementary schools?

By Lauren McCutcheon

Choosing College In Fraught Times

As high school seniors approach college decision time, a longtime university president offers guidelines for picking schools that value respect, freedom and choice

By Elaine Maimon
Guest Commentary

Rigor. Standards. Responsibility.

Marcus Foster was a visionary principal of Simon Gratz High School before his murder in 1973. A visionary principal of today on why his message still matters

By David P. Hardy