ABOUT ORACLE

Purpose

To recognize Senior undergraduate students of Asian Pacific descent who have demonstrated passion, leadership, commitment, and achievement at the University of Pennsylvania as well as to establish the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group.

Goals

• To promote diversity within the Asian Pacific American (APA) community
• To provide a broad network for APA students through facilitating communication between these student leaders
• To create a greater sense of a "Pan-Asian Community"
• To elevate the profile of APAs on campus and beyond

History

Oracle Senior Society was founded at the University of Pennsylvania by Sandeep Acharya, Earl Lee, Julia Lee, Eugena Oh, and Sylvia Srisinthorn. They came together with the common goal of bringing together Senior Asian/Pacific Islander student leaders from all facets of university life, for the purposes of networking as well as exchanging experiences and ideas. In the Fall of 2002, they initiated their first class.

Selection

Oracle is a self-perpetuating Senior Society, where current members invite outstanding members of Asian descent from the Junior class during the Spring to meet the current members at an informal smoker and apply for membership. The Seniors select from the applicant pool based on their fit to Oracle's purpose of demonstrating passion, leadership, commitment, and achievement at the University of Pennsylvania. This new class of members may then conduct a similar process the following fall, as long as this membership does not exceed 25.

Oracle Class Project

Each class will decide on a project to complete that will serve the university and/or surrounding community. This project's purpose is twofold: (a) To build the strength, presence and reputation of Oracle Senior Society and (b) To fulfill the Society's purpose while contributing to the university and greater Philadelphia community.