Hooray! 100 days until New Students move-in! We can’t wait!
Philadelphia University Class of 2013
Posted by Abbey Carr on May 14, 2013
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Congratulations to the Philadelphia University Class of 2013 graduates! We are excited to add you to our extensive list of alumni! To read more about our graduation speakers, the accomplishments of our graduates, and details of the ceremony, click here (http://wordpress NULL.philau NULL.edu/today/2013/05/11/philau-celebrates-the-class-of-2013-at-commencement).
Check out some photos taken by WHYY of the ceremony and celebration…
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/54657-2013-philadelphia-university-commencement-in-photos-/ (http://www NULL.newsworks NULL.org/index NULL.php/local/item/54657-2013-philadelphia-university-commencement-in-photos-/)
Exciting News from Philadelphia University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment
Posted by Abbey Carr on May 3, 2013
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Philadelphia University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment has released its April 2013 Newsletter, and it highlights a number of wonderful happenings in the college! To read the full newsletter, click here (http://philaucollegeofarchitectureandthebuiltenvironment NULL.cmail5 NULL.com/t/ViewEmail/t/41B284C8A2B55323/252014BB94D936332540EF23F30FEDED).
Here are some of the highlights we thought you might be interested in…
Accepted Student Day
- On March 2, 40 high school seniors who were accepted into the College of Architecture and the Built Environment programs for the fall 2013 semester visited campus for a preview of academic life at PhilaU. The event featured a design competition where students were paired up and challenged to design new playground equipment. Given kits of parts including wooden sticks, cardboard, fabric and hot glue, the soon-to-be students had two hours to design and produce a model of their idea. The top three designs were selected by a jury of College of Architecture and the Built Environment professors. First prize went to Jeff Sroka and Khristian Bochage. Congratulations!
Distinguished Professors and Lecturers
- Lauren Baumbach, associate professor and director of the interior design program was recently honored with a national teaching award from the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) for innovative teaching methods. The award is granted to only one or two professors each year from all CIDA-accredited design programs in the United States and Canada.
- As a part of the College of Architecture and the Built Environment’s Spring Lecture series, Philadelphia University hosted Laurie Olin, one of the most renowned landscape architects practicing today.
Award-winning Student Work
Philadelphia University interior design students continued their impressive run of success in awards competitions this year with a clean sweep of first, second and third place at the 2013 International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Student Design Competition for the tri-state chapter. Congratulations to Tia Ryan ’13, Melissa Nemeth ’13, and Patricia Oliveira ’13. Ryan also was one of six PhilaU interior design students to receive top awards at the annual KlingStubbins design competition in the fall.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently challenged young innovators to repurpose New York City’s 11,000 payphones in a way that would promote a safer, healthier, more sustainable and informed city. Architecture student, Christian Kaulius ’15 has been named as a finalist in this challenge with his proposal for a radically redesigned network of payphones that would provide total wi-fi coverage of New York City. These payphones would feature a touchscreen interface, bike share program, crime alert system and wi-fi enabled augmented reality.
- PhilaU Architecture students Stephanie Leigh Ziegler ’13 and Scott Murphy ’13 have been named finalists in the 112th John Stewardson Memorial Scholarship in Architecture, which seeks to explore the issues of spirituality, environmental stewardship, energy neutrality, and architectural excellence via the design of a Monastery for the Order of the Cistercians in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Fifth-year Architecture students represented Philadelphia University at “Green, Urban, Glocal: Student Work from Philadelphia Architecture + Design Schools,” an annual event sponsored by the Philadelphia Center for Architecture. The exhibit featured innovative projects from five Philadelphia architecture and design schools, including Philadelphia University, Drexel University, Temple University, the University of the Arts and the University of Pennsylvania.
- College of Architecture and the Built Environment landscape architecture and architecture students have been participating in documenting historic landscapes through the HALS Historic Landscape Survey developed by ASLA and the National Park Service. Through documenting these historic sites, the students involved developed a better understanding of historic documentation standards developed by the National Park Service, and several documents produced have been submitted to the Library of Congress.
- Upper level construction management students are fully engaged in the pursuit of a safer workplace through a new course offering called Construction Safety and Risk Management. . Students are now able to learn the techniques of hazard awareness, avoidance, and protection in the workplace.
Interested in learning more about Architecture, Interior Design, Historic Preservation, Landscape Architecture, and Construction Management? Join us this summer for PhilaU’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment’s Career Discover Workshop.
PhilaU Offers College of Architecture and the Built Environment Career Discover Program
Posted by Abbey Carr on April 16, 2013
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Philadelphia University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment will host a two-week Summer Career Discover Workshop from July 8-July 18.
This career discovery workshop is open to rising high school juniors, high school seniors, college students, individuals considering a career change, and those returning to the workforce in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design or interior architecture.
If you have a passion for design and have been considering a career in one of the professions that contribute to the making of the built environment including architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and interior architecture, this will be the perfect opportunity for you to explore these career options. You will experience what education and work is like in these highly creative and rewarding professions.
This intensive two-week workshop will help you help you to make your decision and prepare you for admission to a degree program. The workshop will include lectures from advanced professionals and educators, an individually tutored design studio, drafting and computer aided design demonstrations, and field trips. Workshop fee includes course registration, materials, and any local transportation for site visits. Lunch on campus is provided.
For more information about this wonderful opportunity to explore career options, click here (http://www NULL.philau NULL.edu/architectureandthebuiltenvironment/summerworkshop NULL.html).
The City of Brotherly Love: PhilaU’s Extended Campus
Posted by Abbey Carr on April 1, 2013
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PhilaU Blogger, Casey Dougan shares one of the BIG reasons she chose Philadelphia University for college…
One of the many reasons why I chose to attend Philadelphia University (http://www NULL.philau NULL.edu/) was the prime location. I wanted the typical college experience of a tree-lined campus with beautiful buildings and big quads, but I couldn’t shake the idea that life in a city would be a fun and exhilarating way to spend my college years. I’ve found PhilaU to be the perfect combination of residential seclusion and city excitement.
If you are looking for something to do, Center City is one of your best options. You can take the SEPTA (http://www NULL.septa NULL.org/) bus directly from campus into the heart of Philadelphia to explore Reading Terminal Market (http://www NULL.readingterminalmarket NULL.org/), visit LOVE Park (http://www NULL.visitphilly NULL.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/love-park/), have a cheesesteak on South Street, or attend one of the many concerts that take place at venues like the Electric Factory (http://www NULL.electricfactory NULL.info/), the Theatre of Living Arts (http://tlaphilly NULL.com/), and World Café Live (http://philly NULL.worldcafelive NULL.com/). For those design majors seeking inspiration, you can pop in on one of the many Mural Arts Tours (http://muralarts NULL.org/) or show your PhilaU ID card to get free or discounted admission to some of the city’s best museums.
Sometimes we all just need someplace to go and spend an afternoon and unwind. Manayunk (http://manayunk NULL.com/) is a great area to visit, as it offers many boutiques, thrift shops, and restaurants. Whirled Peace (http://whirledpeacefroyo NULL.com/manayunk/), a local frozen yogurt shop, is a definitely a student favorite that I highly recommend everyone check out! They also run a variety of events throughout the year such as Fashion’s Night Out, the “Manayunk on Ice” Winter Festival, and First Friday’s. The neighborhood is located about two miles off campus and can be easily accessed by walking, driving, or the SEPTA bus or train system (http://www NULL.septa NULL.org/).
Philadelphia is definitely an amazing city for young people today. Each person has a different experience with the city, and it will give back to you whatever you put into it. It is continuing to develop and emerge in the national spotlight. Philly offers everything from low-key cafés to study in, to high-energy concerts and exciting events for students to take advantage of! Campus Philly (http://campusphilly NULL.org/) is a non-profit organization that will help keep you in the loop on what is going on around town for young people. Sign up for their newsletter and discounts today!
My advice to the next generation of Rams: take every opportunity to explore the city of Philadelphia. It will become your home. You will learn, experience, and discover things here that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Enjoy all that the “City of Brotherly Love” has to offer you!
Casey Dougan
Class of 2015
PhilaU Students Compete in the Philadelphia Design Challenge
Posted by Abbey Carr on March 20, 2013
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Here’s another wonderful blog post from Casey Dougan. Thanks Casey!
On Tuesday February 19th, I had an amazing opportunity to work with 120 Philadelphia area students for the third annual Philadelphia Design Challenge. The challenge was a collaborative effort between Temple University, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia University, and various local high schools to tackle the citywide problem of “Broad Access.”
Through implementing the design process, we set out to identify opportunities and discover creative ways to approach them. We explored the city to observe the areas of North Philly, South Philly, and Germantown and then met with panels of experts such as city planners, community group leaders, and local business people to help us better understand the spaces.
On Tuesday, we split into groups and came together at Temple University to combine our research and observations. I was placed in a group with two Temple University MBA students, an industrial design junior from The University of the Arts, and a junior in high school. Together, we identified underdeveloped space and gentrification as the issue to tackle and spent the day researching, brainstorming, prototyping, and modeling our system to address it. We decided to target specific neighborhoods and create an easily accessible website and storefront to provide small business information about demographics, loans, government subsidies, and partnerships available to entrepreneurs who want to create business in the area.
In the end our idea did not win the challenge, but I learned a lot about collaboration and enjoyed the opportunity to use the skills I have learned in the Design, Engineering and Commerce Program (http://www NULL.philau NULL.edu/designengineeringandcommerce/index NULL.html) here at PhilaU in the real world.
Casey Dougan
Class of 2015
Show Me the Money!
Posted by Abbey Carr on March 8, 2013
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Have you filed the FAFSA yet? If not, get started this weekend! In order for Philadelphia University to consider you for additional scholarships and grants, you must first be accepted to the university and you must file the FAFSA. Here are some tips and pointers from Greg Potts, PhilaU’s Director of Admissions. If you have any questions about filing the FAFSA, please email Financial Aid ( FinancialAid null@null philau NULL.edu).
Congratulations on your acceptance! Now comes the least glamorous part of the college selection process, but what this time of year lacks in fun and glamor, it makes up for in importance. Financial Aid season is upon us!
You have probably spent hours on the internet looking at college websites, toured several campuses, met students and faculty members, and sampled the good and the bad offerings of campus dining—only good at PhilaU though! This time of year is critical in determining your ability to afford the school that is the perfect fit for your daughter or son.
It is important to start your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early. The sooner you submit the FAFSA, the sooner colleges will, “show you the money!” You will have time to correct any mistakes that you make if you file before your taxes are complete.
Here are a few quick reminders:
The FAFSA has the word “free” in it, so make sure you visit www.fafsa.ed.gov (http://www NULL.fafsa NULL.ed NULL.gov) to complete your FAFSA. Do not use a .com site. If the site wants to charge you to file, leave fast.
Over 80% of the FAFSA answers can be found on the 1040 form. So, you should file or estimate your taxes before starting the FAFSA.
Don’t think you will qualify—file anyway. Even if you only receive Federal Student Loans, these loans often carry lower interest rates than private loans.
Don’t forget to add PhilaU as a FAFSA recipient. Philadelphia University’s school code is 003354.
Here is a list of materials that will help you complete the FAFSA:
Student’s Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
Student’s driver’s license (if any)
Both parent(s) and student’s W-2 forms for the previous year and other records of money earned
Both parent(s) and student’s (and student’s spouse’s, if applicable) most recent Federal Income Tax Return – IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040Telefile, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
Both parent(s) and student’s current bank statements
Both parent(s) and student’s current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
Documentation that the student is a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen
Click here (http://www NULL.nasfaa NULL.org/EntrancePDF NULL.aspx?id=3783) to review a list of common mistakes made while completing the FAFSA
Happy number crunching!
Greg Potts
Director of Admissions
Philadelphia University Study Abroad Opportunities: London Edition
Posted by Abbey Carr on February 26, 2013
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Have you been thinking about where you would like to study abroad when you are in college? Maybe you’ve had your heart set on a particular city or maybe you haven’t narrowed down a location yet. Philadelphia University can help you find the right program in the right city for you.
Today, I’d like to share another study abroad story. This one comes from Kevin Templin, a PhilaU senior and University Rambassador, who studied abroad in London…
One of the best things about college is that you can try things you might not be able to do otherwise, like studying in another country. Philadelphia University offered me the chance to do just that. In Spring 2012, I spent a semester abroad in London, England. So far this has been my best experience at PhilaU. Like most people, I had some initial concerns: Who would I hang out with? Would I like living abroad? I’m glad to say these concerns were very short lived. My time in London was so amazing that I hope to return after graduation.
I took classes within my major and in liberal arts allowing me to stay track for graduation. I studied with other college students from around the world. The best class experience I had was in an art history course. Going to museums in London and seeing the art firsthand really brought the power of these works to life more than any book ever could. As a student, I was also able to experience Frank’s House, a building associated with the London Museum that is not able to be accessed by the general public. I had the rare opportunity to see numerous prehistoric pieces of art and to speak with some of the top historians and preservationists in the world. These are experiences I would have missed if I didn’t take the opportunity to study abroad.
While you learn about different cultures in the classroom, studying abroad gives you the opportunity to experience these cultures in person. I travelled to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, and Rome—which was actually for my birthday! I got to do and see things I never thought possible. Being atop the Eiffel Tower, in the Roman Colosseum, and taking a gondola ride in Amsterdam are experiences that I was able to share with new friends. This was the trip of a lifetime.
My experience has helped shape who I am today, and I long to return as soon as I can. As a business major—in an age that requires a global perspective—the variety of my cultural experiences will only benefit me down the road.
I wish you the best of luck with your college search. I highly recommend that every Philadelphia University student look in to the study abroad programs offered and take advantage of them to maximize your college experience. It is a decision you will not regret.
Sincerely,
Kevin Templin
Philadelphia University Management ’13
Philadelphia University MBA ’14
Philadelphia University Men’s Lacrosse
Philadelphia University Rambassador
Avoiding the “Freshman 15” and Staying Healthy at PhilaU
Posted by Abbey Carr on February 22, 2013
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Many students who will be joining us this fall have probably heard of the dreaded “Freshman 15.” While the danger to your waistline of an all-you-can-eat dining hall is something some students may struggle with, Philadelphia University offers a lot of fun, healthy options to help keep students fit and happy during their time here. PhilaU has 4 dining options on campus, each with their own style and selections. Here are some of my healthy meal ideas and tips for each one!
Ted’s, an A-La-Carte and quick service option on the main floor of Kanbar. Order a Tazo tea with an egg and cheese sandwich before class to start your morning off right! Be cautious of the high-calorie Starbucks options such as a macchiato or latte.
Tuttleman Café, an A-la-carte option on the second floor of the Tuttleman building. Pick up a cup of grapes, yogurt and your favorite flavor of coffee to kick start your morning on a high note.
Common Thread, an A-La-Carte dining hall located on the bottom floor of Kanbar. Order a turkey wrap from the sandwich station and add a bag of “baked” potato chips or a fruit cup and some water with lemon to create a healthy and filling lunch to keep you going through your afternoon.
Ravenhill Dining Hall, an all-you-can-eat venue on the freshman side of campus. Stop by the grill and grab a piece of grilled chicken to pair with a side salad from the salad bar and fill up on fresh fruit and an oatmeal cookie. Save the self-serve ice cream station for special treats!
After your academic classes, pick a group exercise class to attend with some friends, or choose one of PhilaU’s swimming nights and head over to Penn Charter (located next to campus) to do some laps in the pool. The gym is open daily for cardio activities and weightlifting, and personal trainers are available free of charge to all students to help keep you on track!
Check out this semester’s Group Exercise Schedule and class descriptions at the link below and find one that interests you!
http://static.psbin.com/f/i/sac0xarjftcosu/group_ex_2013.pdf (http://static NULL.psbin NULL.com/f/i/sac0xarjftcosu/group_ex_2013 NULL.pdf)
Casey Dougan
Class of 2015
Casey Dougan is a contributing blogger for Philadelphia University’s Office of Admissions. To learn more about Casey, click here (http://bit NULL.ly/ThEuFI).
Philadelphia University’s Honors Program
Posted by Abbey Carr on February 18, 2013
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If you are a smart cookie, the Honors Program at Philadelphia University has lively learning, fun, and adventure to offer you! The Honors program is a combination of enriched courses and co-curricular activities.
Students with outstanding high school records are invited to join the Honors Program when they are accepted to Philadelphia University. First year and transfer students who make the Dean’s List during their first semester are invited to pursue the honors certificate and first year students who earn over a 3.2 grade point average may apply and join on the recommendation of a faculty member or consultation with the Director of the Honors program. Honors curriculum is both challenging and supportive. The focus is on independent thought, critical analysis, and discussion. The Honors program helps prepare a student for a lifetime of learning and a personal growth.
Honors students are required to take 7 courses at honors level in the College Studies (liberal arts) area of a student’s curriculum. These classes are not additional courses, but rather classes that are already built into your schedule. Students can also earn honors credit for completing a project or honors course during a semester abroad, co-op and internships, community service, independent study, graduate courses, or conducting guided research. Honors students receive the option of honors housing.
At graduation, Honors students with a 3.4 or higher GPA wear the honors medallion and receive the honors certificate as well as their Philadelphia University diploma.
HONORS STUDENTS SAY:
Nicole V. – Physician Assistant – Class of 2015
Nicole is President of the Honor Student Association which helps plan the co-curricular aspects of the Honors program. “We have gone on ice skating trips at Penn’s Landing, to see plays in Center City Philadelphia, and on a trip to Washington, D.C. to the Presidential Inauguration for President Obama’s second term!” Nicole also really enjoys the online Summer Reading course which gave her the opportunity to read several interesting books. She is currently taking an Honors course about gender and LGBT issues in American History and in current events which is all discussion-based and she loves it!
Christine M. – Fashion Design – Class of 2013
Christine enjoys having projects that “involve field trips exploring Philadelphia and learning through more in depth discussions rather than just writing papers.” She also upgraded some of her fashion design courses to the honors level; this allowed her to further explore advanced topics in things that she enjoys like Jewelry Design. Christine also enjoys meeting students from other majors and feels they push each other to think and see things in different ways.
Beverly W. – Physician Assistant – Class of 2014
Beverly appreciates the dedication and work ethic of her Honors peers. “I like the discussions that happen in my Honors classes between student and teachers. The professors are interested in what you have to say! I enjoy that everyone in the class is there to learn and is interested in the class.”
Explore a list of Spring 2013 Honors Events: http://www.philau.edu/honorsprogram/Events.html (http://www NULL.philau NULL.edu/honorsprogram/Events NULL.html)
An honors curriculum on a student’s resume and transcript verifies that the student strived for the best education possible!
For more information you may contact the Honors program Director, Marcella McCoy at McCoyM@PhilaU.edu (McCoyM null@null PhilaU NULL.edu) or 215-951-5367.
Deborah Kaminski
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions