On Friday, Oct. 31, Penn students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are invited to honor the University’s culture of innovation at “Celebrating Innovation at Penn,” a University-wide gathering at the future home of the Pennovation Center from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the South Bank, 3401 Grays Ferry Ave.

Penn has several transportation options in place for individuals on campus to join in the celebration.

 University shuttle buses will be available to transport attendees to and from the event with stops at 33rd and Walnut streets, 34th and Walnut streets in front of the food court, 36th and Walnut streets, 40th and Locust Walk, 37th and Spruce streets, 38th and Locust Walk, and 34th and Spruce streets in front of Gates Pavilion. 

Penn Transit Services will be available to provide transportation for individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 214-898-RIDE. Parking will also be offered on site.

In addition to tours, networking, and student spotlights, the afternoon will feature the 2014 David and Lyn Silfen University Forum, hosted by Penn President Amy Gutmann and featuring acclaimed author Walter Isaacson. Isaacson will discuss his new book, “The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution.”

Throughout the day, faculty members will give brief “Pennovation Talks” on leading-edge research projects. Presenters, including the School of Arts & Sciences’ A.T. Charlie Johnson, the School of Engineering and Applied Science’s Katherine Kuchenbecker, the Perelman School of Medicine’s John Trojanowski, and the Wharton School’s Karl Ulrich, will discuss topics such as robotic surgery, Alzheimer’s as an infectious disease, and the importance of innovation.

The celebration will also include a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Pennovation Center, a three-story, 52,000-square-foot building that will serve as a touchstone for innovation at Penn.

For individuals unable to attend the festivities in person, the event will be broadcast online at www.upenn.edu/innovation.

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets will be required for entry. To register for a single event or for the entire day, visit www.upenn.edu/silfenforum/event.html.

Individual program times and more information about the event can be viewed at www.upenn.edu/innovation.