The Graduate Student Center was established in 2001 to meet the unique needs of graduate and professional students at Penn. The Center's mission is to: Empower graduate and professional students to create and participate in a graduate community at Penn. Create intellectual, social, and professional development programs to bring together the wide range of graduate and professional students at Penn for cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural exchanges. Provide resources and services to support graduate and professional students at Penn and in Philadelphia. Provide graduate and professional students with a centrally-located home that includes a lounge, computer lab, and meeting and event space. Core Values/Core Purpose: The Graduate Student Center's core purpose is to encourage the development of Penn's graduate and professional student community through academic and social initiatives.