Theodore Roosevelt was the coolest-ever American president. He went skinny dipping in the Potomac, was the first President to leave the country while in office, had a killer moustache, and inspired the teddy bear. Also, he once got shot in the chest while giving a speech, and FINISHED THE SPEECH before seeking medical aid. No wonder we put that gangsta on Mount Rushmore.
Today is Presidents’ Day, and while none of us will get a chance to meet Teddy himself, we’ve got the next best thing. Kermit Roosevelt III is a Penn Law professor and T.R’s great-great-great-grandson. He specializes in constitutional law, has represented a Guantanamo detainee, and is also a novelist. (Dreamy!) K.R. has quite the legacy to live up to, but we’re predicting big things. Though let’s be honest—he could really stand to grow a moustache.
We don’t usually bring you grad news, but we’d like to nevertheless announce the completion of Golkin Hall on Sansom Street. This new building is the capstone on a 10-year project renovating the Penn Law campus.
That’s all well and good, and while we’re very happy for the University, we’d like to especially congratulate the residents of Kings Court and the patrons of Baby Blue’s for essentially staying in the labor room throughout the entire noisy and painful birth of this new building. (Metaphors. Live ‘em. Love ‘em.)
Click here for the official press release as well as some adorable baby pictures.
Remember what we said about the Quakers being in the clear? Well…just kidding. In a scandalous (but FASHIONABLE) plot twist, turns out Penn’s now in a fight with Louis Vuitton. The fashion house’s Director of Civil Enforcement for North America (really though?) is in a haut-couture rage over Penn Law’s take on the logo they’re using for their Fashion Law and Copyright Symposium this month.
Surprise! The fashionistas at Louis V are being dramatic, claiming that the university’s appropriation of their signature is a “dilution” of their trademark, as the Awl reports. Insert lots of snappy legal jargon here.
Oooh, cool. According to a Penn press release, alum Arlen Specter will teach a class in the fall on “the relationship between Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court, focusing on separation of powers and the confirmation process.” Which he is pretty qualified to do, given that he chaired the committee that does that.
He joins a formidable club of PA politicians-turned-professors that includes Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter.
Law prof Tobias Barrington Wolff is making his media rounds as a newly-minted “icon of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal.” This Daily Intel article features tears falling down his face, while the official White House press release on the matter simply has him looking… something. Sad? Incredulous? Awesome? Not sure.
This is not Professor Wolff’s first time in the DADT spotlight; he appeared on the Rachel Maddow show in October to discuss it and has been an outspoken proponent of the policy’s repeal. Keep at it, Toby (can we call you that?)– we love that you’re representing our school for a good cause!
Ever wonder what’s going on in the real world? You know, the one that exits after college with jobs and grown-ups and the like. Believe it or not, Penn affiliates have more going for them than their style or romantic lives. On occassion, we like to burst the Penn bubble and take a peek.
First, we heard via Penn Current that Penn Museum Curator Joyce C. White is leading an excavation in Laos from now until January 17. And the best part? You can follow the project on a daily blog written by Penn Museum’s Amy Elisworth. We dig it! (Get it? Like archaeology?)
But that’s not all! The Office of University Communications reports that Penn Law Prof Stephanos Bibas and lecturer Stephen Kinnaird are assisting in Supreme Court Case Abott v. Abott on January 12. The case involves a parent taking a child out of the country without the other parent’s consent. Bibas’ students have assisted with his researching, strategizing and writing briefs.
See folks? There is hope for us after graduation!
