In May, the Philadelphia City Council recognized Ira Harkavy, associate vice president and founding director of Penn’s Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships. A resolution introduced by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell honored Harkavy’s lifetime of accomplishments and the Netter Center’s dedication to community service, as well as their significant contributions to West Philadelphia.

Since 1992, Harkavy has led the Netter Center with a focus on academically based community service courses and university-assisted community school partnerships. T he Netter Center also has established partnerships with local schools, including Henry C. Lea, Samuel B. Huey, and Benjamin B. Comegys elementary schools, and Sayre and West Philadelphia high schools. In addition, the Netter Center works to integrate University-wide resources for mutually beneficial partnerships between Penn and the community.