Amanda Alexander
As part of Penn Libraries’ Strategic Communications team, Amanda works closely with the Libraries Advancement and Leadership teams to raise visibility of the impact of the Penn Libraries and its centrality to the University of Pennsylvania community. Amanda drafts leadership communications, creative impact stories, and donor stewardship reports, among other written materials, to raise visibility of the Penn Libraries’ strategic priorities and build a positive public image.
Amanda's work at Penn includes two previous roles: as a Staff Writer for Wharton External Relations, where she supported stewardship for Wharton’s donors by writing acknowledgements and reports; and as Associate Editor for Almanac, Penn's publication of record. She has worked as a reporter and editor for local/regional and national publications. She holds a bachelor's degree in communication media and English literature from Lock Haven University and an MBA concentrated in marketing from Capella University. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys taking courses at Penn, most recently completing "MLA Proseminar: The Science Fiction of Octavia E. Butler." She loves talking about books!
The University of Pennsylvania Libraries will launch a lecture series to amplify its global impact thanks to a generous gift from William C. Park ('89) and Jung Choi.
The newly endowed Park-Choi Lecture Series supports the Penn Libraries’ ongoing commitment to meaningful engagement with individuals, institutions, and communities through scholarship support and programming, as outlined in the Libraries’ Strategic Plan 2020-2025.
“This new annual lecture will bring distinguished scholars to campus to engage with our distinctive collections in ways that advance scholarship across the field of global studies,” says Constantia Constantinou, H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost and Director of the Penn Libraries. “Bill Park, along with his wife Jung Choi, has been a devoted champion for the Libraries and our strategic initiatives in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility. With this gift, they further amplify their philanthropic impact on critical issues in global diversity. I am deeply grateful for their continuing support elevating the Penn Libraries values related to global awareness.”
“The Park-Choi Lecture Series will reflect the diversity of our world, featuring speakers on topics in line with the focus of the Penn Libraries’ Center for Global Collections,” says Brigitte Weinsteiger, the Gershwind & Bennett Family Associate Vice Provost for Collections and Scholarly Communications. The Center concentrates broadly on the histories, perspectives, personal narratives, and cultural contributions of populations around the world, many of whom have historically been overlooked or underrepresented.
“The lecture series will expand on the strengths of our global collections model, which brings together students, faculty, scholars, and members of the community with library experts and our rich collections. I look forward to this new opportunity to amplify global voices and cross borders both physical and metaphorical,” Weinsteiger says.
Park, who along with his wife established a related lecture series focused on topics pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, says support is more important than ever for both DEIA-specific topics as well as all topics that help people better understand those they see as “other”: “People are becoming more divided. We need a better understanding of other cultures, societies, and other constituents. That scholarship starts with the library.” He also looks forward to the new series “being able to reach people beyond the boundaries of the traditional Penn campus.”
The gift also includes a contribution to the Penn Libraries Fund, which supports all aspects of the Libraries’ world-class offerings, from collections to programming to expertise. The Fund is a key source of unrestricted income that allows the Libraries the flexibility to rise to the occasion when unforeseen challenges and exciting opportunities arise.
Park and Choi’s generosity positions the Penn Libraries for success in achieving its ambitious goals for global impact and global diversity. The upcoming academic year will bring exciting developments to the Libraries’ global collections — including new staff positions and renovated spaces for collaboration — all made possible by the continued support of generous donors and friends.
The newly endowed Park-Choi Lecture Series supports the Penn Libraries’ ongoing commitment to meaningful engagement with individuals, institutions, and communities through scholarship support and programming.