Mark Griffey
Rhonda and Gentry Klein first met as undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1997. More than 25 years later, they are still together, now married with five children. Rhonda (ENG’01, M’07) earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Penn, as well as a master’s degree in Public Health at Columbia, then completed her internal medicine training at Mount Sinai Medical Center and her dermatology residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut, where she sees patients and manages the practice. Gentry Klein (W’01) earned an undergraduate degree from Wharton in Economics and currently serves as a Managing Director of Littlejohn & Co., a private equity firm. In this Q&A, Rhonda recalls how her connection with Gentry evolved over time and what drives them to give back to Penn.
Tell us about your experience at Penn?
Reflecting on our time at the University of Pennsylvania, we can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the experiences that shaped us, both individually and together. Penn didn’t just provide us with an education; it opened doors to lifelong friendships, career opportunities and, most importantly, each other.
The relationships we formed during our time there weren’t just limited to friends — we also built a tight-knit network with fellow classmates, professors and advisors, who continue to inspire and support us today. Penn’s diverse and dynamic environment fostered countless connections, and we were fortunate to meet individuals from all walks of life, each bringing a unique perspective to our journey.
How has Penn most impacted your lives?
Our Penn network has been invaluable, both during and after our time there. The skills we developed, the mentors we met and the experiences we gained have all been instrumental in our professional growth. I was fortunate enough to be on campus for 8 years between my four years at Penn Engineering and my four years at Penn Medicine.
Looking back, Penn was more than just a place to learn; it was where we built the foundation of our future, personally, professionally and as a couple. The friendships we formed, the love we found, and the incredible opportunities that arose all contributed to making our time at Penn unforgettable.
What’s the most memorable part of your Penn journey?
Gentry and I both grew up having parents and/or siblings attend Penn so the “Red and Blue” was in our DNA. We both entered college at the age of 17, and were immediately enthralled by the vibrant energy of the Penn community.
Gentry and I met during orientation of our first year at Penn. We both lived in the upper quad (Gentry at Leidy, I at Franklin) and met at a social gathering hosted by a mutual friend. While we were fully immersed in the whirlwind of our first year, we hit it off immediately and quickly became great friends. And what started as a strong friendship evolved into an amazing life together, which now includes our five children.
What is a fun fact about you?
We have five kids (ages 14, 13, 11, 8, 3) and two dogs. We both grew up in families with 4 kids and both have one sibling who also attended Penn.
Which professor had the greatest impact on you and why?
For me, David Meaney: his was the most difficult class I ever took (Physical Chemistry, which was a required Bioengineering course), but he got me through it and continues to mentor me.
For Gentry it was William Laufer. While he focused his undergraduate efforts principally on finance, Gentry also had a passion for criminal law, and was fortunate to take a class with Professor Laufer. One very memorable experience was riding along with the Philadelphia police force in the field.
What inspires you to give to Penn?
Scholarships, fellowships and other forms of financial support can make Penn’s opportunities accessible to students from all backgrounds. We recognize our privilege in having attended Penn and giving back is a way to help those that may not have access to the same opportunities. We also feel strongly about supporting young faculty, particularly at the intersection of Penn Engineering and Medicine, to ensure that the world-class research that is taking place at Penn continues.