‘26 for the Class of 2026’

In a video, President Liz Magill gathered insight from students on their favorite activities to do on and around campus.

penn president liz magill interviews students on college green
New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives interns Samantha Turner, Ava Cima, and Rina Nagatani share their recommendations for the Class of 2026 with President Magill.

Like many students who moved into College Houses last week, Liz Magill is new to the area. She officially moved to Philadelphia and assumed her duties as Penn’s ninth president in July. 

Marking her first official Move-In experience at Penn, Magill visited with students and family members across campus as they unloaded their carts, unpacked their rooms, and got acquainted with new friends. Pen and paper in hand, Magill asked new students what they were most looking forward to doing at Penn and in Philadelphia, and asked returning students what their No. 1 recommendation would be. A list of “26 for the Class of 2026” to post on social media ensued.  

“I’ve done about three or four of the recommendations that they had on their list,” Magill said, chatting after-the-fact. “So I have many more to do.”


Fresh from President Magill’s notebook:

1. Throw toast at a Penn Football game

2. Cheer on the Penn Band

3. Visit the BioPond

4. Indulge in the arts on campus (student performances, Penn Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, Arthur Ross Gallery, and Penn Live Arts)

5. Take a selfie with the Quaker

6. Check out the Penn Relays

7. Go on a Mural Arts tour

8. Sample the campus food trucks

9. Attend a student activities fair and join clubs

10. Visit Morris Arboretum

11. Get involved in service

12. Go ice skating at the Penn Ice Rink

13. Volunteer with Penn Leads the Vote

14. Visit Penn Park

15. Eat at the Quaker Kitchen at Gutmann College House

16. Participate in a University City District walking tour

17. Become a Philly “Phan” (cheer on the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, Union, and Flyers)

18. Visit the Liberty Bell

19. Check out local farmers’ markets

20. Experience Philly on foot (walk from Old City to University City, or walk the Schuylkill River Trail)

21. Get a SEPTA keycard

22. Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art (run up the Rocky Steps to get there)

23. Check out Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

24. Lounge at Cira Green

25. See a glimpse of ENIAC in-person

26. Attend a guest author event at Kelly Writers House