In Photos: President

Joe Biden visits Philadelphia

Amid controversy involving the Penn Biden Center, The Daily Pennsylvanian followed Biden and Harris as they spoke in Philadelphia on Friday

JONAH MILLER AND ABHIRAM JUVVADI

Senior Reporter and News Photo Editor

President Joe Biden visited Philadelphia for the first time since the controversy involving the Penn Biden Center to speak at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting reception. Biden — who was accompanied by newly elected Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) — landed at 2:01 p.m. at Philadelphia International Airport.

In back-to-back speeches, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Biden touted Democratic midterm victories and legislative successes ahead of the president’s State of the Union Address on Feb. 7 and a potential announcement of a 2024 re-election campaign.

Harris began by highlighting recent investments in Philadelphia infrastructure, such as new lanes and sidewalks on Roosevelt Boulevard, and policies that have defined the Biden-Harris administration, such as maintaining welfare programs, addressing the climate crisis, and protecting reproductive rights.

“When someone asked me a few weeks ago for my one word to describe the new year, I said, ‘momentum,’” Harris said, adding that Democrats are “delivering big-time.”

“To our college Dems, let’s remind people that because you organized — because you voted — we made the largest investment in the climate crisis in history,” Harris said. Following Harris’ speech, Biden began his own by referencing his previous visit to Philadelphia in November 2022, during which he campaigned with former President Barack Obama in advance of the midterm elections.

“Remember how our friends in the press and pundits alike, and even some in our own party, were predicting a giant red wave? Well, guess what? It never happened,” Biden said to laughter and applause from the crowd.

Biden went on to flaunt recent policy victories, ranging from investments in infrastructure, reduced health care costs, and the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the court.

“So let me ask you a simple question: Are you with me?” Biden said, to which numerous members of the crowd chanted, “Four more years! Four more years!”

Biden referenced younger generations when talking about historic investments in alleviating the climate crisis.

“We carry a heavy responsibility, and it means we have an extraordinary opportunity as well — an extraordinary opportunity to build the future we want for our children and grandchildren," Biden said. "It hadn’t been available to us in the past."

The visit to Philadelphia comes after the FBI discovered classified documents at the Center on Nov. 2, a University think tank in Washington. The discovery prompted the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to send a letter to Penn President Liz Magill inquiring about foreign donations and visitors to the center.

The president did not comment on the situation, although he spoke just over one mile away from Penn’s campus. In response to the Oversight letter, Penn repeated its denial of allegations of foreign influence.

Since the November searches, the FBI searched Biden’s home in Wilmington, Del. on Dec. 20, where they found six additional classified documents. All documents are currently under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Hur.

Testing the Reward-Drinker Hypothesis of Naltrexone Using an Extended-Release Formulation

University of Pennsylvania

This study is being conducted to compare the effects of a medication (extended-release naltrexone or XRNTX) or placebo (an inactive substance) together with brief counseling on reducing or stopping drinking.

To participate in this study, you must be:

• 18-65 years old

• Express a desire to reduce or stop drinking

• Able to complete all study visits and willing to receive 2 injections of study medication over 8 weeks of treatment.

This is a 7 visit study to occur over 12 weeks. This includes an initial screening visit, an 8-week treatment phase (during which time you will receive 2 injections at 4-week intervals of XR-NTX or a placebo), and a follow-up visit 4 weeks after the treatment phase. Participants may be compensated up to $345 if they are eligible to participate and complete all study visits.

Arthur Ross Gallery features rediscovered painting unseen for a century

Gustave Courbet’s rediscovered painting was found in storage at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine in 2016

Penn’s Arthur Ross Gallery unveiled a new exhibition last Friday, which features a recently rediscovered Gustave Courbet landscape painting that has been unseen for almost 100 years.

Courbet’s painting was found in storage at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine in 2016, according to the Arthur Ross Gallery. The painting, entitled “The Source of the Lison,” depicts the source of the Lison River in France. It was completed in 1864 using oil on canvas. Courbet was a French realist painter active in the 19th century.

The exhibition, “At the Source: A Courbet Landscape Rediscovered,” will feature Courbet’s painting and other 19th-century landscape paintings from Feb. 4 to May 28.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog featuring leading Courbet scholarship, as well as the podcast Big Art Energy, which will tell the journey of the painting’s rediscovery. Special programs and events are planned for the remainder of the exhibit, including lectures, short talks, and conversations with the Courbet scholars and experts.

“Focusing on the motifs of grottos and waterfalls in his art of the 1850s and 1860s, the exhibition highlights

and security is what we do’: New chief of Penn Police shares priorities

the newly re-discovered Courbet painting, not shown in public for close to 100 years, emphasizing the process of authenticating and conserving this historic work,” the Arthur Ross Gallery said in a press release.

Penn President Liz Magill toured the exhibition on Feb. 3, according to the Office of the President.

The exhibition was curated by Lynn Marsden-Atlass, executive director of the Arthur Ross Gallery and University curator, and André Dombrowski, Frances Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer associate professor of 19th-century European art at Penn.

Following the discovery in 2016, the painting was conserved, and in 2018 it was scientifically examined.

In April 2022, the painting was officially authenticated by the Institut Courbet in Ornans, France, according to the Arthur Ross Gallery.

The painting was a 1912 bequest of Thomas Evans, who was a Philadelphia-born surgeon dentist to Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie. After Evans’ death in 1897, he gave most of his fortune to The Thomas W. Evans Museum and Institute Society in Philadelphia.

In 1912, the society and Penn signed an agreement to establish the Thomas W. Evans Museum and Dental Institute, which is now part of Penn Dental Medicine.

New Chief of Penn Police Gary Williams told The Daily Pennsylvanian that he will prioritize “safety and security” and re-engaging the University and West Philadelphia communities.

Williams — who was appointed as the interim chief of police in May 2022 — was announced as the new chief of police on Jan. 17. Williams has previously served with Penn Police for 21 years, joining in 2001 after working as an officer for the Philadelphia Police Department.

Throughout his time at Penn, he has been promoted to sergeant patrol, executive lieutenant, liaison to student groups on campus, captain of patrol, and now chief of police. Williams said that his years of experience in a variety of roles with Penn Police have made him “well-rounded” and prepared him for his new leadership role.

“As I worked my way up the department, my scope of responsibility got a lot larger,” Williams said. “I was able to learn throughout my time here.”

During his time at Penn, he has helped develop the Strategic Crime Prevention west end Grid Patrol, as well as spending time as an emergency response team leader and a negotiation team member for the Division of Public Safety Union. Williams has also been involved with community outreach programs, specifically the Police Athletic League, which aims to engage with local children.

Williams reflected on his six months as interim chief of police by emphasizing how he gained important skills, especially since he maintained the responsibilities of captain of patrol — a role that has yet to be filled since Williams’ appointment — while serving in the interim role.

“I respect anyone who has served in an interim role,” Williams said, adding that he became better at multitasking while in the role.

The opening for a new chief of police came about following the retirement of former Vice President for Public Safety and Superintendent of Penn Police Maureen Rush in 2021. Rush’s responsibilities have since been divided into two roles: vice president for public safety and chief of police. Kathleen Shields Anderson became vice president of DPS in 2022 after previously serving in that role in an interim capacity.

Anderson shared excitement for Williams’ appointment to his new role, highlighting his previous contributions to Penn Police, such as his “integral part” in bringing the body camera program to Penn before most places in the country.

Anderson added that Williams plans to focus on re-engagement of the community. Williams highlighted his participation in a recent panel at the African American Resource Center in which he discussed how Penn Police can take steps to avoid incidents like the recent police violence in Memphis, Tenn.

“I had the opportunity to discuss how we can prevent something similar from happening at Penn,” Williams said, adding that Penn Police officers are equipped with de-escalation and bystander training.

Williams told the DP that his biggest goals for Penn Police are to ensure the safety and security of its constituents.

“Safety and security is what we do,” Williams said. “That is my main priority for the students, faculty, staff, and West Philadelphia community.”

As a father of two college-aged children, Williams said he hopes to take care of the student body. He added that while he understands students work hard and want to enjoy socializing, he hopes to prioritize that they do so safely.

“We are here for you, and we take care of you,” Williams said.

The awards keep rolling in for Penn men’s lacrosse as five members of the team were named by Inside Lacrosse as Preseason All-Americans. Voted on by the media, athletes could either be selected first team, second team, or honorable mention.

Most notably, senior midfielder Sam Handley was unanimously named first-team All-American. He was one of three players to receive a unanimous first-team selection. Earlier this month, Handley was also voted Preseason Player and Midfielder of the Year by USA Lacrosse Magazine.

Following Handley’s lead, senior midfielder Piper Bond was named to the second team.

Senior attacker Dylan Gergar, senior long-stick midfielder BJ Farrare, and junior defender Brendan Lavelle all received honorable mentions.

Last season, Handley served as both a powerhouse and team captain for his team, winning Ivy League Player of the Year, being the second Quaker in the program’s history to receive the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association’s Top Division I Midfielder award, and being one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the most outstanding college lacrosse player in the nation.

Bond also had a very successful season last year, forcing 11 turnovers and adding 29 ground balls. The Baltimore native was also named third-team USILA All-American, first-team All-Ivy, and served as the team captain.

Gergar had an incredible season in 2022 as well, etching his name in Penn record books. He scored the second most goals in a single season, he is eighth in career goals, and third in points scored in a single season. He was named All-Ivy second team and was on the Tewaaraton Award Preseason Watch List.

Last season, both Farrare and Lavelle received honorable mentions for USILA All-America and Inside Lacrosse Media

All-America. Farrare received an All-Ivy honorable mention and Lavelle was named second-team All-Ivy and was on the Tewaaraton Award Midseason Watch List. Farrare led the team with 19 caused turnovers and added 55 ground balls.

Looking forward to the 2023 season, the Quakers were picked fourth in the Ivy League preseason media poll announced Tuesday. The squad is also ranked ninth by USA Lacrosse Magazine and 10th by Inside Lacrosse in the country. To kickoff the season, the team will travel to Georgetown on Feb. 18 — a tough open to an even tougher schedule that follows.