Ceremony Information
Schedule of Events
To learn more about a particular event, click on one of the links below.
Baccalaureate Ceremony
252nd Commencement Ceremony
School Ceremonies
Baccalaureate Ceremony
Sunday, May 18, 2008, 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 Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Project H.O.M.E.
Commencement Ceremony
Monday, May 19, 2008, Franklin Field
The University of Pennsylvania's 252nd Commencement will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008, 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 8:45 a.m.
The gates to Franklin Field will open at 8:30 a.m. for guest seating. Guests will be seated in the southeast, east, and northeast stands of the stadium. Guests should enter at either the southeast gate (corner of South Street and Convention Avenue) or at the north stands entrance off of 33rd Street (between South and Walnut Streets). The procession of degree candidates will enter the field at about 9:30 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, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York. Tickets are not required for admission.
Candidates for degrees in May, as well as graduates who completed degree requirements in August or December of 2007, 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.
