To the Penn community,
Throughout this year, Penn has marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with vibrant academic engagement and exhibitions. Now, as July 4th approaches, we have a unique opportunity both to celebrate our history and reaffirm a shared responsibility: to shape a bright future that advances our nation’s founding ideals.
No individual embodies the connection between Penn and the founding of the nation better than Benjamin Franklin. The principles that shaped Franklin’s public life, chiefly intellectual curiosity, practical innovation, civic engagement, and respect for differing perspectives, continue to define our University’s aspirations and enduring values.
When the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776, Franklin, then 70 years old, was its eldest member. Internationally renowned as a scientist, inventor, and statesman, he had also founded what would become the University of Pennsylvania.
Franklin’s generation confronted rapid political, social, and technological change. Like us, they wrestled with enduring questions: How do we forge unity amid deep differences? How do we realize the promise that all people are created equal? What knowledge matters most and how should it be taught?
In honor of Independence Day, I want to offer three observations drawn from Franklin’s life that may shed light and direction on our own moment in history.
Building Unity: Like democracies around the world, the U.S. has been an uncharted experiment in self-governance from the start, one that depends on cooperation across differences. Franklin reminded the Constitutional Convention here in Philadelphia of the importance of working together through principled compromise: “When a broad table is to be made, and the edges of the planks do not fit, the artist takes a little from both and makes a good joint. In like manner here, both sides must part with some of their demands, in order that they may join in some accommodating proposition.” Franklin’s counsel is as timely and urgent today. As I shared with our graduating Class of 2026, when in doubt, choose people. Our social connections and networks are powerful vehicles for the problem-solving championed by Franklin.
Self-improving in pursuit of excellence: On a draft of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin’s edits gave us words that have resonated across generations: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal …” Over the years, this country has moved closer to fulfilling its founding promise, though the path has been uneven. Our recent Juneteenth observances remind us that great progress has been made toward realizing this country’s founding promise for all, but the work of self-improvement, in both democratic society and higher education, is never finished.
Advancing useful knowledge: Franklin’s commitment to “useful knowledge” endures at Penn today. He wrote the phrase in Penn’s founding document, which offered a vision of education markedly different from other schools at the time. The goal was to cultivate an inclination joined with the ability to serve society and those around us, including friends and family.
This ethos thrives in the countless ways Penn scholars, students, alumni, and staff contribute to our collective knowledge and the common good. Their work spans revolutionary therapies and technologies, fundamental scientific breakthroughs, critically important endeavors across the humanities, social sciences, business, law, design, and the arts, service to our community and society. Together, through Penn Forward, we are extending Franklin’s vision of creating and disseminating useful knowledge for a changing world.
These observations were front of mind during a recent trip to Athens, Greece, where I was joined by student Fellows in Penn’s SNF Paideia program. While visiting this ancient democracy, I was struck by how young the United States is by comparison and how far the nation has come in a relatively short time. I reflected on the enduring lessons of our founder. I thought of the many Penn students and alumni I have met and the confidence they give me that future generations will carry the good work forward.
As we celebrate Independence Day and our nation’s 250th anniversary, Franklin’s timeless principles and vision continue to define Penn’s commitment to rigorous inquiry, useful knowledge, respectful dialogue across differences, and service to society. They guide our University’s efforts as we help shape a brighter future for our nation and the world. In that spirit, let us continue the good work, together.
Sincerely,
J. Larry Jameson, MD, Ph.D.
President