The University of Pennsylvania officially welcomed its Class of 2030 and transfer students during the annual Convocation, marking the start of the institution's 287th academic year. The ceremony served as the formal ushering-in for new students embarking on their academic careers at Penn.
Penn President J. Larry Jameson addressed the incoming class, drawing a parallel to Homer's "The Odyssey" to describe their impending journey. He emphasized the supportive community awaiting them, stating, "As you chart your course, you will meet many fellow travelers: amazing Penn faculty, staff, coaches, mentors, alumni, and of course your peers. You are already off to a great start, and we are all here to help and ensure you succeed."
Beyond the Convocation, Penn highlighted other significant activities. Third-year student Renee Liu developed a prize-winning speech and debate program for West Philadelphia high schools through the Netter Center, aiming for long-term sustainability. Additionally, city and regional planning professor John Landis analyzed 25 years of state policies on sustainable development, identifying practical strategies for resource efficiency and opportunity expansion. Penn Engineering researchers also made strides in medical technology, developing a tiny inflatable device to observe the earliest moments of a stroke using advanced brain imaging.