Guest Column | A welcome back message from President Jameson
19 minutes ago
Penn President Larry Jameson poses with the Quaker (Photo by Eric Sucar).
Credit: Photo By Eric Sucar | Courtesy of University Communications
There is nothing quite like the first days of a new school year. I have felt it walking along Locust Walk, listening to laughter spill out from College Green, watching students reunite with friends and mentors in College Houses, and settling into favorite campus spots. It is good to be back. I am so glad you are here.
Whether you are arriving at Penn for the first time or returning with a well-worn PennCard and full calendar, this moment belongs to all of us. I have already had the chance to meet new students who are eager to dive into research, launch new ventures, and make their mark in the arts and on the field. I have spoken with families who are beaming with pride, and faculty and staff who cannot wait to support you every step of the way.
This year, I am thinking about what it means to begin again. Not just to start fresh, but to build on what came before: to scaffold original ideas, new friendships, and fresh goals (yes, I have noticed the literal scaffolding around Fisher Fine Arts too). It is a fitting reminder that progress takes protection and preservation. Growth happens in stages, sometimes slowly — and the strongest structures rise from solid foundations.
Penn is a place where we build together. We build knowledge, community, and character. We challenge each other to think deeply and act boldly. We support each other through setbacks and celebrate each other’s successes. We do all of this in a city that has a history of invention, imagination, and at times, a motivational underdog mentality. And we do it at a university founded by one of history’s greatest innovators, Benjamin Franklin.
As we begin this new semester, I encourage you to take care of yourselves and each other. Prioritize your well-being. Explore the extensive array of health and wellness resources — from fitness classes and intramural sports to rock climbing, the newly renovated Sheerr Pool, and the recovery room. These spaces and programs are thoughtfully designed to support your physical and mental health while you are here.
New beginnings are also a fantastic time for trying new things. Opportunities abound at Penn, and you never know what might spark your interest. Maybe it is joining a club you had not considered, going to a performance or athletic competition, or signing up for a lecture or symposium on a topic you are unfamiliar with. You might find yourself at an SNF Paideia event, in conversation with someone whose perspective opens your own. Or, you might happen upon a food truck with smells so tantalizing that you cannot resist stopping by. I hope you find the time to visit a Cultural Resource Center or attend a reading by a world-renowned author at the Kelly Writers House. As you explore, do not hesitate to ask for help — and offer it when you can.
Most of all, remember that you belong here. Not just because of what you have already accomplished, but because of everything you are still becoming.
It is going to be a productive and rewarding year. It’s great to have you back, Quakers.
J. LARRY JAMESON is the 10th President of the University of Pennsylvania. His email is president@upenn.edu.
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