Pennsylvania
Trustee resigns in protest over alleged antisemitism and lack of moral compass at the University of Pennsylvania
![Trustee resigns in protest over alleged antisemitism and lack of moral compass at the University of Pennsylvania](https://media.phillyvoice.com/media/images/quadrangle4.25.2e16d0ba.fill-1200x630-c0.jpg)
Vahan H. Gureghian, a longstanding Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, has resigned from his position, citing deep-seated concerns over the institution’s handling of antisemitism and its failure to uphold core principles of justice and student well-being.
Gureghian, who had served as a trustee since 2009, expressed his pride in Penn’s legacy of producing leaders in various fields, including business, government, medicine, social justice, and the arts. However, he voiced dismay over the current state of affairs, suggesting that the revered institution’s future is at risk.
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“We live in a world of deepening divisions with an ever-growing number of people expressing radical intolerance and advocating violence against religious and ethnic groups,” Gureghian wrote in his resignation letter obtained by PhillyVoice.
He highlighted that education has long been considered the best weapon against such intolerance, and historically, elite academic institutions were beacons of compassion, tolerance, and social progress.
Gureghian’s resignation was prompted by the recent hosting of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival at Penn, an event marred by speakers who endorsed violent efforts against Zionism.
He found the rhetoric at the festival abhorrent and fundamentally at odds with Penn’s values. As an appointee of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Gureghian emphasized his duty to the 13 million citizens of the Commonwealth who provide substantial state aid to the university each year.
He lamented that he can no longer assure these constituents that Penn is acting in their best interest, nor can he claim that it prioritizes the well-being of its students and community.
Gureghian expressed hope for the university’s future but urged its leadership to critically evaluate the direction the institution is headed and the ethical implications of its decisions. He stressed the urgent need for universities nationwide to reexamine the values they instill in the young minds they educate.
Gureghian’s resignation challenges not only the University of Pennsylvania but also prompts a broader conversation about the responsibility of elite academic institutions in shaping the moral compass of future leaders.
In an opinion editorial published by PhillyVoice, Marc Rowan, who is Chairman of the Board of Advisors of The Wharton School at Penn, criticized the school or its handling of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival held on its campus.
Rowan argued that the festival featured speakers who promoted hate, antisemitism, and violence against Jews and Israelis. He asserts that Penn’s failure to condemn this led to a normalization of violence, including attacks on Jewish students and spaces, and its handling of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival held on its campus.
Rowan contends that academic institutions, like Penn, have a responsibility to condemn all forms of hatred, including antisemitism. He believes that Penn’s reluctance to do so reflects a larger issue of selective tolerance within academia. He argues that this tolerance of hate undermines the institution’s commitment to intellectual rigor and moral leadership.
The op-ed calls for a change in Penn’s leadership, with Rowan specifically urging President Mary Elizabeth Magill and Chairman Scott Bok to resign. He suggests that alums and supporters withhold donations until this change occurs. Rowan emphasizes the need for unity and moral leadership within the university.
Prominent Jewish alums of Penn are pressuring university officials to take a stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict and a recent Palestinian literary conference held on campus, the NY Times reported.
Julie Platt, Vice Chair of Penn’s Board of Trustees at Penn, released a statement expressing solidarity with those affected by the recent assault on Israel by Hamas. She condemned the acts of terror and highlighted the university’s commitment to combat antisemitism while also showing support for Penn’s leadership.
In a joint statement from Magill and Provost John L. Jackson Jr., Penn’s leaders expressed devastation and condolences about the recent attack on Israel by Hamas. The university said it is prioritizing support for the Penn community, especially those directly affected, including on-campus resources.
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Pennsylvania
Pa. woman who drowned after being swept over waterfall in Glacier National Park is ID’d
![Pa. woman who drowned after being swept over waterfall in Glacier National Park is ID’d](https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/resizer/v2/ENNPVT7HEBAILPOJTGZWNTBSLM.jpg?auth=ae6ee71154605f3d0d14626ee27547b52589449aff7199c62704aa067d22f7ab&width=1280&quality=90)
A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned after being swept over a waterfall on the east side of Glacier National Park in Montana, park officials said.
National Park Service officials on Tuesday identified the victim as Gillian Tones from North Apollo in western Pennsylvania’s Armstrong County. She was remembered as caring and kind, triblive.com reported.
Tones fell into the water above St. Mary Falls at around 5:20 p.m. Sunday. She was washed over the 35-foot (11-meter) tall waterfall and trapped under water for several minutes, the park said in a statement.
Bystanders pulled Tones from the water and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived. She was declared dead at 7 p.m., park officials said.
The death is under investigation, and an autopsy was planned.
Her name was initially withheld until family members could be notified.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in Glacier National Park, according to the National Park Service.
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Pennsylvania
Conestoga Road Closing Weekdays For 2 Months In Radnor: PennDOT
![Conestoga Road Closing Weekdays For 2 Months In Radnor: PennDOT](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22896833/20240625/103022/styles/patch_image/public/roadclosed___25103005562.jpg)
RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Conestoga Road in Radnor Township will have a weekday closure due to Aqua Pennsylvania work for about two months, PennDOT said.
According to PennDOT, a weekday closure is scheduled on Conestoga Road between Lowrys Lane and Glenbrook Avenue in Radnor.
The closure will be in place weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, July 1 to Friday, Aug. 30,
During the closure, drivers will be detoured, using Sproul Road/Route 320, Lancaster Avenue/U.S. 30, and County Line Road.
Local access will be maintained up to the work zone.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through or near the work area because backups and delays will occur.
All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Police introduce autism ID cards
![Pennsylvania State Police introduce autism ID cards](https://fox56.com/resources/media/d4a3d773-14e6-408b-afad-7587e3f28a15-large16x9_Screenshot20240624201321.png)
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co. — After meeting with advocates, the Pennsylvania State Police has unveiled informational cards for people with autism to present to officers during any interactions like traffic stops to better help with communication.
The PSP has officially started to distribute an informational card that should be carried by people with autism and presented during any encounter with police.
The colorful and distinctive cards say “I Have Autism” and directs officers to be patient, use a calm and direct voice. The card also alerted the officers that they may be non-verbal, hypersensitive to noise and or touch.
Lindsay Dragon, the Executive Director of a local support group Parenting Autism United has a ten year old son who is greatly affected by autism.
She says that these cards being given out to people with autism will ease the mind of parents with children who have autism.
“As a parent our biggest fears as our boys get older are the risks of being misunderstood and possibly not following direction which could lead to arrests or potential death,” Dragon said.
As of last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 36 children in the United States have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is about 75 million people.
Dragon says that this is a great step towards the overall acceptance and inclusion of both children and adults with autism.
She believes that these ID cards will be especially beneficial for adults with autism as well who may not be aware of the harm they are or can cause in an interaction with police officers.
“If first responders are not in the know these types of cards would be extremely helpful in preventing a lot of unnecessary things,” Dragon added.
Individuals may print the card from the website and carry it in a wallet, or they can choose to save it on their phone. Troopers will distribute the cards at public community events.
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