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Wharton 125
First-ever Wharton West Events
Celebrates Five Years in San Francisco
and 125 Years of Wharton
In 2001 The Wharton School committed its resources to an expansion of its
programming through a West Coast campus located in San Francisco. That com-
mitment has been matched by the loyal cohort of Wharton West and regional
graduates who showed up in November to reconnect and celebrate the School
at a reunion and Benjamin Franklin Society Event.
A Reunion to Remember
On November 4-5. 2006, Wharton West alumni from the MBA
classes of 2003 through 2007 gathered at the San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art. Dean Patrick Harker, Howie Kaufold,
Director of the Wharton MBA Program for Executives, and
Mori Taheripour, WG'03, welcomed the alumni, students,
and guests to the celebration. Joining in the festivities were
professors Ziv Katalan, John Percival, Eric Bradlow, Kenneth L.
Shropshire, Chris Geczy, and school administrators.
The exceptional turnout was a major factor in the excitement
and energy that prevailed throughout the evening, with
299 guests at the gala. WG'03, the first Wharton West graduating
class, was represented by 51% of its graduates, while the
2005 and 2007 came in close behind, with 47% and 46% respectively.
Alumni and students came from as far as Shanghai
(Alex Chan, WG'03) and New York and all points in between.
Laura Calaway, WG'03, said, "All I kept thinking the
next day was why after only four hours, the lights came on so
early and it was time to go home—there were still so many
people for me to say hello to and catch up with. I'm really
glad I had the chance to see so many of my classmates."
The reunion celebration continued the next morning with
the family brunch at Le Meridien Hotel. Alumni and students
recapped the previous evening and made plans to connect
while the children were entertained with a clown, face
painting, and balloon making.
Honoring Friends of the School
Two days earlier on November 3, Le Meridien was the site
of another Wharton event. For the first time ever, Benjamin
Franklin Society donors were honored on the West Coast.
The event recognized some of the School's most loyal supporters
by bringing Wharton to them.
In addition to the opportunity for guests to "talk
Wharton," Dean Patrick T. Harker shared his unique vision
of Wharton's direction in this 125th anniversary year. Keynote
speaker Professor Ken Shropshire, the David W. Hauck
Professor; Professor of Legal Studies and Business, discussed
his work as the director of the Wharton Sports Business
Initiative, a research and executive education focused "think
tank" that works with athletes and team owners alike.
The Benjamin Franklin Society level supporters are some
of the School's more loyal and generous supporters. A similar
event for the East Coast will be held in 2007. For more
information about becoming a member of the Benjamin
Franklin Society please visit www.wharton.upenn.edu/development/wf_leadership.html#bfs.
   
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