Ceremony Information
Baccalaureate Ceremony
Sunday, May 12, 2013, 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Irvine Auditorium, 34th and Spruce Streets
The Baccalaureate Ceremony is a 50-minute interfaith program that includes music, readings, prayers, and a guest speaker. Two consecutive ceremonies will be held in Irvine Auditorium, in order to accommodate all those who wish to attend. Students whose last names begin with A through K are invited to attend the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. Students whose last names begin with L through Z are invited to attend the 3:00 p.m. ceremony. Tickets and academic regalia are not required. The Baccalaureate speaker is The Rev. Dr. Deborah Little Wyman, Founder and Missioner, common cathedral and Ecclesia Ministries.
Commencement Ceremony
Monday, May 13, 2013, Franklin Field
The University of Pennsylvania's 257th Commencement will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, in Franklin Field, located at 33rd and South Streets. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Students should report to Hamilton Village (Superblock), 39th and Locust Walk, no later than 7:45 a.m.
Due to heightened security at Penn’s Commencement ceremony, the gates to Franklin Field will open at 7:00 a.m., and it is recommended that attendees plan on arriving as early as possible. Every guest will be required to go through airport-style magnetometers, and certain items will be prohibited from Franklin Field, including but not limited to oversized bags, bottles, tripods and umbrellas. Guests should enter through the southeast gates (intersection of South St. and Convention Ave.) to Franklin Field and will be seated in the southeast, east, and northeast stands of the stadium. The procession of degree candidates will start to enter the field at about 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. upon the arrival of the academic procession (the President's party and the faculty) and will conclude at approximately 12:00 noon. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and our Commencement speaker, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Tickets are not required for admission.
Candidates for degrees in May, as well as graduates who completed degree requirements in August or December of 2012, are encouraged to attend Commencement and to march in the student procession. Academic regalia is required.
Family members and friends who are unable to attend the Commencement ceremony may view the ceremony live over the internet. Please visit www.upenn.edu/commencement/webcast.html to learn more about the webcast.
Tips for those planning to attend the Commencement ceremony can be found on The Penn Current’s website.
