The Penn Clark Scholars Program gathered for its annual Senior Dinner to celebrate the graduating Class of 2026, bringing together scholars from all cohorts to recognize the achievements, leadership and growth of this year's seniors. Grounded in the pillars of service, philanthropy and entrepreneurship, the Clark Scholars Program challenges students to use their engineering education to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

The evening was made especially meaningful by the presence of Joakina Stone and Brandon Brown from the Clark Scholars Program Network (CSPN) and Professor Robert Ghrist, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. Their attendance highlighted the strong connections between Penn and the broader Clark Scholars community, which spans 11 engineering institutions nationwide.

Faculty, staff and fellow scholars joined in celebrating the graduates as they prepared for the next chapter of their journeys. Seniors were encouraged to remain active in the Clark Scholars Alumni Network and continue living out A. James Clark's vision of "serving others through their time, talent and treasure."

In December 2025, Clark Scholars gathered to celebrate a new chapter for the program following a transformative $11 million investment from the Clark Foundation. The gift will expand the program’s mission of developing engineers who combine technical excellence with a commitment to service.

The evening featured remarks from Penn President J. Larry Jameson, who reflected on A. James Clark’s belief that engineers should serve as well as build, and Penn Engineering Dean Vijay Kumar, who spoke about the investment’s role in advancing Penn Engineering’s values of innovation, leadership and community. The celebration concluded with an uplifting performance by the student a cappella group The Penny Loafers, which included first-year Clark Scholar Ross Richard!

The investment will strengthen scholarships, expand summer funding opportunities and connections in entrepreneurship, and introduce the Clark Scholars Philanthropy Challenge, further empowering students to make a meaningful impact in Philadelphia and beyond.

Read more about the Clark Foundation’s $11 million gift and its lasting impact on the future of the program.

This spring, Penn Clark Scholars Frankie Lin and Amehja Williams participated in the first-ever Alternative Spring Break hosted by the Clark Scholars Program Network. The week brought together scholars and alumni representing nearly all 11 Clark Scholars programs for an immersive experience centered on service, learning and community engagement in Houston. From addressing food insecurity and supporting environmental conservation efforts to exploring public health initiatives and community development projects, participants worked alongside local organizations while building meaningful connections with fellow Clark Scholars from across the country.

While the service projects were impactful, Lin and Williams reflected that the relationships formed throughout the week were equally transformative. The experience highlighted the power of bringing together students from diverse backgrounds who share a common commitment to leadership and service. Watch the full video to hear Lin and Williams share their reflections.

Building on the momentum created by the Clark Foundation's transformative investment and the program's continued growth, the Clark Scholars Program launched a new initiative in January 2026: the Clark Scholars Leadership Council.

The Council empowers students to play an active role in shaping the program's future while strengthening community, service and engagement among their fellow scholars. We are proud to recognize the inaugural Council members:

Sonia Bilal, Community Service Chair

Noah Hidalgo, Class of 2029 Cohort Leader

Emily Jiang, Class of 2028 Cohort Leader

Darren Lin, Conference Chair

Maria Ramos, Class of 2027 Cohort Leader

Jevin Ta, Communications Chair

These students embody the spirit of the Clark Scholars Program through their commitment to scholarship, leadership and service. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and look forward to the impact they will have on the Clark community in the years ahead.

A new initiative launched this year that empowered each Clark cohort to plan its own community-building cultural experience. From Broadway shows and escape rooms to dinner aboard Philadelphia’s iconic Moshulu and a Sixers game, these student-driven outings strengthened connections among scholars while encouraging them to explore the many opportunities available beyond the classroom. The program reflects the Clark Scholars Program’s commitment to fostering community, engagement and a well-rounded Penn experience.

Sonia Bilal exemplifies the many ways Clark Scholars engage both inside and outside the classroom. A Bioengineering undergraduate with interests at the intersection of neuroscience, medicine and engineering, she conducts research in Dr. Yale Cohen's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Penn Medicine, where she studies auditory decision-making through behavioral and neural data analysis. Her work has led to a presentation at Penn's Summer Research Symposium and an upcoming coauthorship on a research publication.

Bilal credits the Clark Scholars Program with supporting her research journey through summer funding, mentorship and a strong community that has encouraged her to pursue new opportunities. Beyond research, she serves as the Clark Scholars Community Service Chair and is a member of the inaugural Student Leadership Council, helping connect scholars with meaningful service opportunities and shape new student-led initiatives.

A highly engaged member of the Clark community, Bilal regularly participates in cohort meetings and program events and will play an important role in planning the 2026 Pre-Orientation program. Through her commitment to scholarship, service and leadership, while maintaining an exceptional academic record, Bilal embodies the values of the Clark Scholars Program.

For alumna Francesca Cimino, some of the best Penn memories happened both inside and outside the classroom. A favorite course, Biomechatronics with Dr. LeAnn Dourte, challenged her to design a robotic gripper capable of picking up a water bead without crushing it, an experience that sparked a deeper interest in mechatronics and robotics. An unexpected favorite, Introduction to Film Photography, inspired a creative hobby that continues today.

Beyond academics, Cimino encourages students to explore Philadelphia, from weekend farmers markets and walks along the Schuylkill River to cheering on a Philly sports team. She also credits Penn with helping her develop a problem-solving mindset that continues to guide her work in research and development.

Now at Johnson & Johnson, Cimino is excited to join the company's Changemakers program, where she will collaborate on social impact projects with community organizations. Her advice to current students: take full advantage of Penn's resources and connections. One career fair connection ultimately led to her current role!

Read the full interview to learn about Cimino's favorite Philly food spots, Clark Scholars memories, her career journey and goals for developing healthcare innovations that improve patients' lives.

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