Coat of Arms
Designed by Kei Yamamoto (College '01) the Harnwell College House coat of arms is a unique crest that features a "Tower of the East" in the foreground. The sun is rising behind it, referring to the fact that Harnwell was formerly known as "High Rise East." Here, the sun symbolizes glory, splendor and the fountain of life. The tower is a symbol both of grandeur and safety, the latter being very important to students. The 24 circles around the shield represent the 24 floors of the building. The House motto, "Monstrat Sol Viam" is a variation on a popular motto—"Monstrant Astra Viam" —which means "The stars will show us the way." Harnwell's motto translates as "The sun shows us the way."
Harnwell's History
Harnwell College House is the second of the three residential skyscrapers built in Hamilton Village during 1971-1972. All three High Rises were designed by G. Holmes Perkins, Dean of the Graduate School of Fine Arts from 1951-1971. Perkins is also noteworthy for having hired Louis I. Kahn, who propelled Penn to the top of the list of American Architecture Schools in the 1960s.
“High Rise East”, as the building was known before 1998, inaugurated the College House system as Harnwell College House and is now the home of 6 residential programs: Ancient Studies Program Community, Arts House, Asian & Asian American Program Community, International House, Latin American Residential Program, and the Muslim Life Residential Program.
Harnwell has a Resident Advisor, either undergraduate or graduate student, living on each of its floors, as well as a House Director, Faculty Director, and Faculty Fellows living in residence. The building is seasonally air-conditioned, and all rooms have private baths. Most have kitchens, as well, and there is a Harnwell dining area on the top floor of the Class of 1920 Commons, next door.
The focus of Harnwell’s residential programs is both international and cultural, giving the House a distinctive feel. Harnwell boasts a variety of performance and arts related facilities, and activities are frequently planned to bring artists and different cultural perspectives right to the residents here in the House.
Our Namesake
The name of the House honors Gaylord Probasco Harnwell, President of the University from 1953-1970. Harnwell led the University through one of its greatest periods of growth – erecting more than twenty new buildings, tripling the capacity of the dormitories, and turning Locust Street and Woodland Avenue into the quiet, beautiful pedestrian walkways we know today.
G. P. Harnwell came to the University in 1938 as a Professor of Physics, specializing in atomic and nuclear physics. He was offered the Presidency in 1953 and accepted on the condition that he remain an active Professor, teaching at least one freshman physics course each year.
Photos to the left appear courtesy of the University Records and Archive Center. For more information on Gaylord Probasco Harnwell, please visit the archives.