As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I have been reflecting on its profound opening words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Our history reminds us that the promise of those words has not always been fully realized. For many, the starting line is set back and the path forward is uphill.
Education has long been one of the most powerful ways to create opportunity. Higher levels of education are associated with greater economic mobility, better health and longevity, and stronger civic engagement. Universities therefore advance not only individual success, but also the broader public good.
This belief was central to Benjamin Franklin’s vision when he founded the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin imagined an institution that would prepare students to apply knowledge in service to society—practical, open-minded, and engaged with the wider world. That spirit continues to guide Penn today.
Across its history, Penn has widened the circle of opportunity by opening its doors to groups once excluded, welcoming students from across the nation and around the world, supporting local investments and partnerships, and creating campus organizations that foster community and belonging. Along Locust Walk, we see the cultural and affinity groups established by prior generations—visible reminders that people of different backgrounds, identities, and experiences belong here.
Today, our University is more connected to our city, our nation, and the world, and more demographically diverse, than at any time in its history. Programs such as Penn First Plus support first-generation students and those from rural, urban, and lower-income communities as they navigate and succeed at Penn. The Quaker Commitment expands financial aid by fully covering tuition for families earning $200,000 or less. These initiatives reflect a guiding principle: talent is widely distributed, but opportunity is not. Penn Forward explores how to strengthen networks for mentoring, shadowing experiences, and internships, further leveling the playing field for students.
Our commitment to excellence is inseparable from our commitment to access and inclusion. New questions emerge, assumptions are challenged, and stronger ideas follow. We welcome debate, inquiry, and different points of view. It is often said that diversity and excellence go hand in hand. I would go further: they are synergistic—each strengthens the other.
Penn has long embraced this belief—through interdisciplinary programs such as the Penn Integrates Knowledge Professorships, through collaborative research centers, and through a campus that brings disciplines and people into close proximity. We encourage open expression, civil discourse, and respect for different points of view. These guiding principles have been the foundation for many of our most important discoveries and contributions to society.
During my time as President, I have been continually inspired by the experiences, aspirations, and achievements of Penn students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Their stories remind me that universities are dynamic ecosystems of learning and discovery, where we grow through engagement with one another.
Opportunity, respect, intellectual openness, and the conviction that talent can come from anywhere have shaped Penn since its founding and remain essential to its future. At Penn, these ideas are not catchphrases—they are enduring elements of our culture. We will continue to foster a community in which every member feels welcomed, respected, and able to contribute fully to the life of the University.
Universities have a responsibility to help bring the promise of the Declaration—that all are created equal—closer to reality. Through education, discovery, and service, we can expand opportunity, strengthen our democracy, and help ensure that the ideals expressed at our founding—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—are within reach for more people in every generation. Together, we will continue this work with purpose and with confidence in the values that define Penn.