Penn’s 252nd Commencement on Monday, May 19 was an awe-inspiring moment for all ages, as the Old Guard led the Procession down Locust Walk. The Penn Band kept the Quaker spirit moving as faculty, friends, proud Penn parents and other well-wishers lined the route through campus, past the reviewing stand and on to Franklin Field where the Class of 2008 heard from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg as well as President Amy Gutmann. See supplement for speeches.

Provost Ron Daniels (top center) applauded as Secretary of the University Leslie Kruhly handed the University mace to Trustees’ Chairman James Riepe, as Interim Chaplain Charles Howard looked on.

Donna Pia Budica, C ’08, sang the National Anthem (top right) and at the end of the ceremony, she led the singing of The Red and Blue.

President Gutmann joined Ben on the Bench, (below) with the Commencement Speaker at her side, as the honorary degree recipients gathered with them and Chairman Riepe; (standing behind them from left to right) Dr. Lila Gleitman, Dr. Bert O’Malley, Dr. Drew Faust, Cyril Ramaphosa, Paquito D’Rivera, Dr. Neil de Grasse Tyson and James Riepe.

Click here for links to Almanac’s Commencement slideshow, the University’s Commencement webcast, audio-only downloads and podcasts.

Photo: Stuart Watson