Peter Whinnery and the PAC Shop

As my two kids head to and return to college campuses, this Fall, I have been thinking, on the 237th day of 2022, about my own college experience, at Penn, and thinking about student activities and the comfort they bring to student struggling to find where they belong.  My words of advice to Anna before she left were to get involved in something, does not have to be something she did in HS, but to be engaged (but not TOO engaged).  Speaking of TOO engaged, there I was as Penn Undergrad, who did not drink and did not party, but was in the Band and also ended up, somehow, doing tech for the Penn Glee Club.  Never having done tech in HS (was on stage), I often felt like an imposter.  On 8/25/2022, I learned of the passing of an amazing man.  Peter Whinnery passed away today.  Peter and his small, safe space office in Irvine were my place of respite.  Peter was a teacher, mentor, friend, confidant, everything a nervous pseudo-techie needed to get through the whole process of planning and putting on a show.  I have not seen Peter in a while, since he retired, but his kindness and advice helped me survive Penn and I will try even harder now to emulate him when I engage with students on campus.  Peter's smile will stay with me at all times.  He was a Penn Treasure and will be missed by many.