Hola!
A while back I was curious about the school’s Coat of Arms, so I decided to investigate a little bit about it…
The arms memorialize two important influences in the founding of the University, Benjamin Franklin and the Penn family. This design includes the three plates of the Penn family arms and the dolphin of the Franklin shield. The open books denote an institution of learning.
Here are the 3 coat of arms for your reference:
As for the motto, here’s an interesting story about it:
Penn’s motto is based on a line from Horace’s Third Ode, “quid leges sine moribus vanae proficiunt?“—”of what avail empty laws without [good] mores?” From 1756 to 1898, the motto read “Sine Moribus Vanae.” When a wag pointed out that the motto could be translated as “Loose women without morals,” the university quickly changed the motto. In 1932, all elements of the seal were revised, and as part of the redesign it was decided that the motto “mutilated” Horace, and it was changed to its present wording, “Leges Sine Moribus Vanae“
So, at least 36% of the 2010 MBA Student class is glad that the school decided to change the motto (that is the female percentage)…
Also, here’s a picture of James, Akshay, and me in front of the giant coat of arms at school:
Bibi.