Penn President Larry Jameson speaks at the 2025 Convocation ceremony on Aug. 25.
Credit: Grace Chen
Penn President Larry Jameson formally welcomed the Class of 2029 and transfer students and ushered in the new academic year during the 2025 Convocation ceremony Monday evening.
The hourlong event hosted at Franklin Field marked Jameson’s first Convocation since his appointment as Penn’s 10th president. During the ceremony’s remarks, multiple administrators recognized the turbulence of the past year on campus and stressed the importance of coming together under a shared purpose.
The ceremony opened with a performance from the Penn Band, followed by speeches from Jameson, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule, Provost John Jackson, and 2000 College graduate and University Chaplain Charles Howard. The event also featured performances by all-female identifying a cappella group Quaker Notes and the Penn Glee Club.
Jameson began by metaphorically “put[ting] on [his] white coat” and sharing a story of watching fireflies light up across national parks due to their bioluminescence. He noted the three qualities of their brilliance — illumination, connection, and purpose — and encouraged the Class of 2029 to draw inspiration from them.
“Each flash is a signal, an expression of identity and intent,” Jameson told assembled students and faculty members. “Each of you also brings your own identity and brilliance to this institution. A passion, a curiosity, a life experience and a perspective that no one else can replicate.”
He added that Penn offers “countless resources and opportunities to shine,” adding that new students can engage in on-campus research, showcase “talents on the stage,” and demonstrate “athletic prowess” at the University‘s facilities.
Jameson also noted that “fireflies do not glow alone,” encouraging students to stand up and meet someone new — and joining the class on the field to participate himself.
Howard similarly acknowledged the many volunteers and family members who helped “carry loads that were too heavy for one person to hold by themselves” while students were returning to campus.
“The best of the Penn community is something that these students experienced just days ago, the hospitality, the grace, the mutual help that happened subtly yet powerfully during the move-in season,” Howard said.
Jackson emphasized the “significant headwinds” that American colleges and universities are facing across the country.
“Many people are questioning the very purpose and mission of academic institutions, not only what we teach, our courses, our subjects, but also how we learn together as a community, the ways we consider different ideas, backgrounds, experiences, and how those differences shape us, create knowledge, and inform our worldview,” Jackson said.
Jackson urged students to engage with perspectives and opinions different from their own, adding that Penn “should have stood out because it attracts so many different kinds of learners and teachers and researchers from all over the country and the world.”
During the ceremony, messages and photos were displayed on a scoreboard behind the podium. Class of 2026 President and Wharton senior Vedika Jawa presented the official class flag of the Class of 2029, followed by the singing of “The Red and Blue.”
After the ceremony, students attended a dessert ceremony at Franklin Field.
“I thought it was very well-coordinated with the music clubs mixed in with the speeches,” College first year Sanya Dudeja told The Daily Pennsylvanian.
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College first year Shayla Luna also told the DP that she appreciated Jameson’s analogy to the life of fireflies.
“I liked the President’s speech and what he had to say,” Luna said. “Even though this chapter of our lives is over in four years, it’s pretty short, we have so much to come, which is why he said that Penn is like a gateway for us to be able to do anything or explore opportunities.”
“I personally thought it was very welcoming, and I think all of the dessert is super thoughtful and heartfelt,” College first year Hafsa Kanchwala told the DP. “I just thought the overall ambiance was very uplifting and very wholesome, and I’m very excited to be a Quaker.”
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