You are cordially invited to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s 261st Commencement on Monday, May 15, 2017. I do hope that you will join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as we commemorate this year’s honorary degree recipients and graduates. For more information on this year’s honorees, please see last week’s issue (Almanac January 31, 2017) . US Senator Cory A. Booker (NJ) will deliver this year’s Commencement address and will receive an honorary degree.

Commencement will be held rain or shine. Additional information can be found on the Commencement website, www.upenn.edu/commencement or by calling (215) 573-GRAD.

You also are invited to attend one of the Baccalaureate Ceremonies which will take place in Irvine Auditorium on Sunday, May 14. The Baccalaureate Ceremony is a 50-minute interfaith program that includes music, readings and prayers. In order to accommodate all those who wish to attend, there will be two consecutive ceremonies at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Tickets and academic regalia are not required.

I hope you will join us in the pageantry and tradition as we honor this year’s graduating classes.

—Leslie Laird Kruhly, Vice President and University Secretary