It is my pleasure to invite you to join the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees in celebrating the Inauguration of President Liz Magill. A series of wonderful events has been planned for Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22, to mark her official installation as the University’s ninth President.
As you may know, the Trustees are responsible for choosing the University President and I am very proud to say that in Liz Magill we have found a leader of proven strength and a person of unquestionable principle to lead Penn into the future. Her upcoming Inauguration will reflect both the solemnity of this historic moment for our centuries-old University, as well as the wonderfully festive spirit that we all have come to know and love about Penn.
Please plan to join us as we honor Penn’s new President, Liz Magill, at her Inaugural celebration.
Event details are as follows:
Friday, October 21
Academic Procession
9:30 a.m.
Inaugural festivities will begin with an Academic Procession down Locust Walk, starting from the Annenberg Center, continuing through the viewing tent on Penn Commons, and into Irvine Auditorium for the traditional ceremony.
Inauguration Ceremony
10:00 a.m.
This invitation-only ceremony at Irvine Auditorium will be live-streamed and can be viewed on the Inauguration website and on a big screen in a tent on Penn Commons, adjacent to Irvine.
Celebration on College Green
Noon – 2:00 p.m.
This Penn-wide party will feature special musical headliners Jeff Tweedy and Sheryl Crow, two of President Magill’s favorites! Come enjoy signature Philadelphia tastings from CookNSolo restaurants (Zahav, Federal Donuts, Goldie, and more), scrumptious picnic fare from Neuman’s Kitchen, plus fun give-aways. Be sure to get a scoop of Bassetts Ice Cream’s “Penn-augural Berry Chocolate Chunk”—custom-made for the occasion.
Academic Symposium
2:30 p.m.
President Magill will sit down for a conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. This invitation-only event will be live-streamed from Irvine Auditorium and can be viewed on the Inauguration website and on a big screen in a tent on Penn Commons.
Saturday, October 22
Walk with Olive
8:00 a.m.
Join President Magill and her beloved goldendoodle, Olive, along with members of the Penn Band and the Quaker mascot, for a morning walk across campus. All canine companions welcome! The stroll will begin on Locust Walk outside of Huntsman Hall and end at Franklin Field, where the Penn Relays 5K will kick off.
Penn Relays 5K
8:30 a.m.
Lace up your shoes and join us for an organized 5K around Penn Park. President Magill will serve as ceremonial starter for the race which will begin and end at iconic Franklin Field. There’s an optional one-mile fun run/walk, too. Registration is now open.
Events will continue throughout the weekend with Homecoming activities, including the football game against Yale, a variety of arts and cultural opportunities, and much, much more. For event details, visit the Homecoming Weekend website.