Get to Know Us
Gutmann College House Office is committed to creating an environment where students feel supported in a variety of ways. At the inception of Gutmann College House a group of students worked together to establish a shared vision for the future of the house. The guiding principles that came from that group were a community that valued Innovation, Sustainability, and a sense of Home.
Crest
Part of Gutmann's work in its first year was to coordinate a community effort to design a new crest for the House, to join the other twelve College House crests as part of the CHAS tradition. The House crest and its accompanying motto encapsulate Gutmann's unique point of view and the aspirations its inaugural band of residents have for the future of the House and the culture they are developing.
"The sun sets in the West, bringing a new day of opportunities. One of my favorite things to do at NCHW is to watch the sunset since our location on the west side of campus offers a spectacular view of the multicolored horizon every night. Over the past semester I’ve come to associate home with where the sun sets; therefore, the paths on the crest converge toward the sun. On the way the paths cut through green fields, which represent the grass lawn in the front of NCHW that visitors and residents alike know and love. At last, in the spirit of the new house motto, “Opportunity is Invented Together”, the wreath at the bottom represents the unity of the Penn residents. It is through the unity of the people that new opportunities are created and achieved. Therefore, bother the wreath of unity and those who walk down the path are reaching the opportunities emanating from the rays of the sun."
History
On November 2, 2017, the University of Pennsylvania announced the exciting news that the Board of Trustees approved plans for New College House West (NCHW), the most recent addition to the College House system. New College House West opened its doors to its inaugural community of residents in August for the 2021-22 academic year, and in the fall of 2022 it opens to its second class of residents with a permanent new name: Gutmann College House, a name honoring Penn's former President Amy Gutmann, who served in the position from 2004 until 2022 when she was appointed the United States' Ambassador to Germany. The building is designed by Bohlin-Cywinski Jackson Architects and features suite-style living spaces, large indoor and outdoor programming spaces, and amenities to support the sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will call it home. Penn Today covered the story of Penn's newest "home away from home."
Construction for the new House began in Spring of 2018 at the corner of Locust Walk, Walnut Street, and 40th Street and stayed on schedule throughout 2020, a year marked by the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
College Houses and Academic Services identified the house's senior staff team during the Spring semester of 2021. House Director at the time, Trina Sokoloski and Dr. Amy Stornaiuolo, Faculty Director, supported the staff and faculty representing CHAS in the development of a strong college house community. Dr. David Amponsah and Dr. Orkan Telhan were appointed House Fellows for the first year, and twelve undergraduate and graduate resident advisors were hired as the founding leaders for the House.
Trina talked with Penn Today about plans for the community and her enthusiasm for creating the house's identity with its students, faculty, and staff.