Members of the Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) gathered in New York City on September 13, 2023 to celebrate the power of annual giving and their shared love of Penn during a lively reception at the Rubin Museum of Art.
Empowering Penn's Transformative Impact
Members of the Benjamin Franklin Society gather to celebrate a giving tradition
Kate O’Hern Lyons, C’86, University Trustee and BFS member, welcomed guests and thanked them for their leadership annual giving in the most recent fiscal year, which saw a record-breaking $102.9 million raised through annual giving across all of Penn’s schools and centers. She then introduced the evening’s featured speaker, Senior Executive Vice President Craig R. Carnaroli.
In his stirring remarks, Senior Executive Vice President Carnaroli detailed how Penn has served as a catalyst for change across the three core areas of “intellectual, physical, and social transformation”. He told the story of Emily Whitehead, a young cancer patient who in 2010 received the novel CAR T-cell therapy developed by Penn researchers and who this fall joins the Class of 2027 Penn Quakers.
Proud Penn alumni, parents, and friends filled the halls of the Rubin Museum in New York City during the September 2023 reception for members of the Benjamin Franklin Society.
Kate O’Hern Lyons, C’86, University Trustee (at center), joined fellow University Trustee Dhan Pai, W’83, PAR’12, PAR’15 (right), for a photo along with Craig Carnaroli, Senior Executive Vice President at Penn (left).
Judy Alpert Goffman Cutler, CW’63, GEd’64 (at left), and Jennifer Greenawalt, PAR’23, PAR’25 (right), shared a joyful moment in the Rubin Museum’s resplendent galleries.
Stephanie Lin (at left), Eugene Aaron, WG’73 (center), and William Marvin, C’92, enjoyed refreshments and conversation during the Benjamin Franklin Society reception.
Philip Chen, W’20, and Serena Miniter, C’20, paused for a photo alongside fellow Penn alumni Lira, C’90, W’90, and Jon Cohen, W’91.
Senior Executive Vice President Carnaroli also discussed how leadership annual support from BFS members enhances all aspects of the student experience at Penn, from supporting cutting-edge spaces on campus to strengthening the financial aid program. He closed by highlighting the impact Penn students, faculty, and alumni have on the greater Philadelphia community and inviting the audience to reflect on the transformations that BFS support makes possible. “The self-realization from the intellectual, physical, and social environment that you help create makes the current Penn citizen. Each future class will make a difference in the world.”
During the evening, members had the opportunity to mingle and explore the Rubin Museum’s exhibitions that showcase the diverse and inspiring art of the Himalayan region. More photographs from the reception at the Rubin Museum can be found in the BFS photo album and on the @PennBFS Instagram page.
