Commencement

Our 15 favorite stories from 2022

From interdisciplinary research and life-changing discoveries to a new University president and everything in between, this year at Penn has been one for the books.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

‘Abbott Elementary’s’ Quinta Brunson delivered Penn’s Graduate School of Education commencement speech with humor and candor

Award-winning writer, actress, and comedian Quinta Brunson delivered the Graduate School of Education’s commencement on Saturday, marking the end of Pam Grossman’s tenure as dean.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

A governor, ‘Abbott Elementary’ star and Dateline News anchor are among commencement speakers at Philly-area colleges this spring

Tony Award-winning actress and singer/songwriter Idina Menzel will speak at Penn’s commencement.

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Philadelphia Magazine

And the Philly region’s award-winning 2023 commencement speakers are…

Idina Menzel will deliver Penn’s main commencement address, while “Abbott Elementary’s” Quinta Brunson will speak to the graduating class of the Graduate School of Education.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

‘Abbott Elementary’s’ Quinta Brunson will speak at Penn education school’s commencement

Quinta Brunson, star and creator of “Abbot Elementary,” will speak at the Graduate School of Education commencement, while Tony award-winning actress and singer/songwriter Idina Menzel will serve as Penn’s main Commencement speaker.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Finally, the Class of 2020 gets its in-person commencement ceremonies at Penn, Haverford, and Penn State 

On Sunday, 3,500 members of the University of Pennsylvania’s undergraduate class of 2020 as well as 2021 master’s and doctoral graduates marched onto Franklin Field to whooping cheers from family and friends in the crowd of 12,000.

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The New York Times

14 excerpts from commencement speeches without the word C*VID

Alumna Laurene Powell Jobs’ commencement speech was excerpted. “We have to be prepared to walk through the door when it opens, or, by our own power and purpose, to open it ourselves,” she said.

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