Penn’s traditional commencement on campus was not possible this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic but that didn’t stop the University from celebrating its graduating students. There was an online celebration for the Class of 2020 with interactive elements to allow viewers to chat and post selfies prior to the start of the webcast. Graduates shared memories and recollections about their years at the University of Pennsylvania. Thanks to the 21st century technology and Penn students’ ability to come together even when physically apart, the Penn Band played as the event began on Monday, May 18. The University’s  Chaplain gave an invocation and President Amy Gutmann welcomed the class. The Commencement speaker greeted the Class of 2020 and Provost Wendell Pritchett announced the many academic honors and awards. Commencement would not be complete without the conferral of degrees, which President Gutmann did before the conclusion of the ceremony.

To view the virtual commencement, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa-BJDCY-q0

Click here to read the Penn Commencement 2020 supplement as a pdf.

An Invocation for the Graduating Class of 2020
Twelve Schools. One University

Fifty States and more than one-hundred countries represented, but still One University. Dispersed all around the world, socially distant from one another, yet, still One University.

The University of Pennsylvania is more than Market, Chestnut, Walnut, Locust and Spruce, more than buildings, more than a place.

Even when in many different places—We are finding that we can still come together as One University.

Thus, I invite you, wherever you are, to pause and join me in the spirit of prayer for our invocation...

So many of our prayers and meditations, hopes, and wishes of the last several months have been for healing, for protection, for provision and for and end to this most painful chapter of our generation.

One of the gifts of our humanity is the ability to hold multiple emotions at the same time. Thus, even while grieving we can feel pride. While missing each other we can feel joy. While nervous, we can be full of gratitude.

And so during this commencement unlike any other, we celebrate a class unlike any other.

May these graduates see challenges not just as moments to survive, but as moments to serve.

May they see interruptions as opportunities.

May they—even through tears—see catastrophes as callings.

May what has been an unpredictable, uncomfortable, and in many ways disappointing ending to their collegiate journeys, somehow be redeemed.

What an auspicious time for them to graduate—indeed a season of tragedy and loss, yet also a new heroic age.

We will long tell stories of the unrelenting courage from healthcare professionals, researchers, grocery store employees, delivery drivers, trash collectors, custodial workers, educators, therapists, clergy, public safety officials, political leaders and every single individual who’s done their part in stemming the spread of the virus.

May these graduates always be counted among this heroic number who responds to the difficulties of life by seeking to serve and love others wherever their paths may lead them. Amen.

—Charles L. Howard, Chaplain

A Welcome from the President
A Common Bond

Hello Class of 2020: Congratulations! Not only for your academic accomplishments, which are amazing. But as Chaz’s stirring invocation and Duval’s beautiful singing remind us, you also have acted as one university to save lives—to serve the common good. Each and every one of you has summoned deep reserves of compassion, courage and creativity to fight this pandemic.
At the same time, you have united with the entire Penn community to complete your world-class education. You did it!

Right now, I want you to take a mental snapshot of what you have overcome, of where you are and—yes—of how you feel.

Your Class has shared a world-changing experience. Years from now, after your on-campus Commencement, whenever you get together—for Penn reunions, weddings or just reminiscing with a Penn friend—you will talk of these times not only as a challenge, but as a common bond. This will always be a touchstone for your Class.

I know it may not feel that way now. What we all had fervently hoped for this morning is for you to be marching down Locust Walk side by side by side with friends, waving to family, getting those selfies.

But we will reunite. You will have the unforgettable Commencement you and your families have earned.

In the meantime, campus holds a powerful message for you about the unique experiences shared by the Class of 2020. You have walked by a few special sites many times, but perhaps haven’t truly noticed.

Let’s visit them. Walk with me now.

Beside Houston Hall, an ornate gate bears the message, “We will find a way or we will make one.”

In great adversity, it can be all too easy to turn back. But your Class has marched forward. Joining with countless others at Penn and beyond, you have both found and made a way.

Penn has graduated hundreds of extraordinary Classes.

But yours now joins a very small group that have made a way through times of enormous challenge.

Looking south from the Gate, the Quad and the hospital fill your view.

When the 1918 Flu Pandemic hit Philadelphia, it was here at HUP that so many of the ill were treated.

Pandemics have tested Penn before. You have proven equal to the test.

Around the corner from the Gate, on the north wall of Houston Hall, there is a particular Ivy Stone.

Laid by the Class of 1944, this Stone transports us to another profoundly difficult time.

Even during the most intense period of World War II, Penn students and the Penn community showed their mettle.

Moving east past Fisher Fine Arts and through the Engineering Quad, it’s a path you could walk blindfolded.

Our path takes us near the All Wars Memorial by Shoemaker Green.

It offers testament to the service and sacrifices of generations of Penn students.

We especially remember when Penn mobilized for World War I.

The first time the world went to war, Penn students transformed their home into a mustering place.

Our walk ends where Commencement traditionally begins: At Franklin Field.

In the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt came here to deliver one of his most enduring speeches in those dark times.

I believe his words hold special meaning for your Class.

FDR sound clip plays: “To some generations, much is given. Of other generations, much is expected.”

Etched in stone, forged in iron, written on our hearts: the Penn story echoes across campus. It speaks of resilience, courage, and common cause, of dark storms chased by brighter days.

The story of the Class of 2020 speaks the same.

It is clear that of your generation, much is expected.

I am proud to say that, so far, you have done beautifully.

There is no monument on campus to this defining moment of yours…yet.

But to mark this occasion, as the Great Class of 2020 not only finds a way but makes a way, here is my special gift to you, with love.

Congratulations and enjoy!

—Amy Gutmann, Preident

Honorary Degree Recipients

No celebration of the Class of 2020 would be complete without naming this year’s Penn honorary degree recipients. Alongside our amazing graduates, we salute:

A transformational force in American jurisprudence, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy

Pulitzer-prize winning author and translator, Dr. Jhumpa Lahiri

American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow and celebrated historian, Dr. Jill Lepore

Penn Emeritus professor and renowned vaccine pioneer, Dr. Stanley Plotkin

Co-founder of Philadelphia’s Project HOME and champion for social justice, Sister Mary Scullion

Nobel Prize-winning physician and Penn alum, Dr. Gregg Semenza

Legendary jazz composer, Henry Threadgill

And last—but in no way least—is our Class of 2020 Commencement Speaker. An internationally acclaimed novelist and short story writer, her TED talks have inspired millions of viewers and her awards and accolades are voluminous. Writing on themes ranging from politics to religion to enduring mysteries of the heart, her words enrich our world. And she has a few words to share with you now.

I am very pleased and proud to introduce Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Address

Thank you, President Gutmann.

UPenn Class of 2020, congratulations. It’s such an honor for me to be your commencement speaker this year. It’s such a strange time to be graduating; it’s a strange time to be alive! And I can imagine that it must also be a difficult time, a confusing time, a disorienting time. But if there’s anything to be said for this strange time in which we find ourselves, it is this: That for you, graduating at this time is, among other things, an opportunity: An opportunity to start to think about the kind of world that we want to remake.

I’m looking forward very much to addressing you on Franklin Field sometime in the future. I’m looking forward very much to meeting you. I’ve learned quite a bit about your class, about all of your achievements. And there’s so much that’s impressive, of course. But I do have to say that I’m most moved by the sacrifices that you’ve made: the sacrifices that you’ve had to make. I think even that is an achievement.

Congratulations. And these may be strange times—they certainly are for me! But I want to urge you to remember that there’s so much to celebrate. You’ve done it! You’ve graduated!

Congratulations!

Senior Honors and Awards

Good morning. As Provost, it’s my pleasure to recognize the members of the Class of 2020 who have distinguished themselves in their academic studies, and in their service to the University.

Penn’s leadership awards—many of which date to the 19th Century—have been given in years of celebration, and in periods of great sacrifice. Today, as we celebrate the Class of 2020, we also recognize that leadership and service shine brightest when challenges are greatest. I know you join me in saluting these outstanding young people for all they have accomplished, and what they—and their classmates—will achieve in the years ahead.

The Senior Class Honor Awards are:

The Spoon: The tradition of awarding the “wooden spoon,” as it was known in the 19th century, is so old that its origins predate all student publications, including the class yearbook and Daily Pennsylvanian. The spoon’s significance has always been the same: it is symbolic of the first honor awarded to senior men.

The Bowl: This award dates to a 19th century class rivalry at Penn, a ritual called the “Bowl Fight” between freshmen and sophomores. If the sophomore class prevailed, the bowl was preserved by class officers and later awarded to an outstanding student.

The Cane: The use of a walking cane in the 19th century was a cultural symbol of high status. So-called cane fights were attempts by the sophomores to prevent any freshman from carrying a cane on campus. Once utilized as weapons, the canes were wisely converted by the senior class to a student award in 1891.

The Spade: This award is derived from the tradition of Ivy Day, which dates to 1872. On that day, departing seniors plant a sprig of ivy to signify the growth and spreading of the senior class. The spade was first awarded in 1896.

The Althea K. Hottel Shield Award: Established in 1959, the first women’s award is named for Penn’s first Dean of Women. Represented by the Shield, the University’s most recognizable physical symbol, this award honors intellectual competence, commitment to ideals, and loyalty to the University.

The Gaylord P. Harnwell Flag Award: The Harnwell Flag award, which dates to 1969, celebrates the University’s tremendous campus growth and diversification during the tenure of President Harnwell, who led Penn from 1953 to 1970. His commitment and selfless service to the University and the community would benefit generations to come.

The David R. Goddard Loving Cup Award: In 1908, when Class Day and Ivy Day were combined, a silver Loving Cup was presented to the Provost, etched with the names of class presidents. Today, the Loving Cup award recognizes one senior’s exemplary service to the University and to their class, and honors former Provost Goddard. The cup is etched with the iconic words of Penn’s most popular song—but not our official alma mater—“The Red and Blue.”

The R. Jean Brownlee Skimmer Hat Award: Since 1977, the Skimmer Hat Award has commemorated one of Penn’s most historic traditions, Hey Day. The award is named for Dean Brownlee, who oversaw the historic merger of the College and the College for Women into the School of Arts and Sciences—as well as the combining of the men’s and women’s Hey Day strolls into a unified class celebration.

The President’s Engagement and Innovation Prizes exemplify Penn’s highest mission: empowering ideas that truly transform lives and make a difference in the world. The proposals of our 2020 Prize Winners answer some of the most pressing and eminently worthwhile challenges, and they demonstrated immense creativity and leadership.

Other special honors and leadership awards for the class of 2020 include:

• Asian Alumni Network Student Leadership Award
• Association of Alumnae Fathers’ Trophy
• Association of Alumnae Robert J. Alig Senior Award
• Association of Latino Alumni Student Leadership Award
• Association of Native Alumni Student Leadership Award
• Black Alumni Society Student Leadership Award
• James Brister Society Student Leadership Award
• The James Howard Weiss Memorial Award
• James Brister Society Graduate Student Leadership Award
• Class of 1915 Award
• Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alumni Association Student Leadership Award
• William A. Levi Kite and Key Society Award for Service and Scholarship
• Penn Alumni Student Award of Merit
• Penn First Plus Alumni Student Leadership Award
• Penn Student Agencies Award
• The Trustees’ Council of Penn Women-Michele Huber and
• Bryan D. Giles Award
• The Trustees’ Council of Penn Women Student Leadership Award

The University honors these exceptional students, and is honored by their leadership and service. We salute them, and look forward to following their future success.

All students who have been elected to the principal undergraduate and graduate honor societies; all other prizes and awards granted by Penn Schools and Departments; and those who have earned scholarships for advanced study are listed in today’s virtual program on the Commencement web site.

Congratulations Class of 2020!

—Wendell Pritchett, Provost

Conferral of Degrees

Deans and Beth Winkelstein video recordings played. Then President Gutmann conferred the degrees.

Graduates: With the authority vested in me by the Trustees, I confer upon you the degrees recommended by your faculty, admitting you to all the rights, privileges and responsibilities pertaining to those degrees.

Congratulations and well done!

I speak for everyone when I say that we can’t wait to celebrate your achievements in person.

Please join me in applauding and thanking your parents, families, partners! Let us salute the amazing Penn faculty and staff! Let us cheer our remarkable global alumni family!

And let us honor our many heroes, Penn’s courageous doctors, nurses, first responders, researchers and all the essential staff members who keep Penn open and have made this event possible.

This celebration of the great Class of 2020 deserves a blockbuster finale. I want everybody, no matter where you are, to join me and some of Penn’s finest performers in singing “The Red and Blue”! Really put your hearts into it!

Special video played of many Penn student singers and a special surprise appearance by John Legend. Program concludedwith closing credits.

Above: The many musical moments during the virtual commencement included the Penn Band, and many students from Penn’s a cappella groups as well as a special appearance by a surprise guest: a former Commencement Speaker and Penn alumnus, John Legend (C’99, H’14).

Above: A video tribute to the class of 2020 included several memorable images and clips from this year’s graduating seniors’ time on campus.

Above: President Amy Gutmann drew comparisons between the current pandemic and other challenges, such as world wars, which also crucially affected Penn’s campus.