On the first and second levels of the Penn Museum Library, visitors can view a collection of photographs by Penn students that reflect key themes from their fieldwork experiences in the past year. Contributing student photographers are from Penn's departments of Anthropology, Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World, Classics/Ancient History, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and History of Art. Free with Penn ID.
Penn Libraries and the Penn Museum present materials held in their collections that reflect upon the creators, modes, and influences of the Ainu, Indigenous peoples connected to the northern islands of Japan and parts of Russia. This exhibit is co-curated by Stephen A. Lang, Eri Mizukane, Rebecca Mendelson, and Deborah Stewart.
A new exhibition curated by students in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences will explore the deep human history associated with the color blue. Into the Blue will span 4,000 years—displaying 20 objects from across the Penn Museum’s collections, including select artifacts from the Middle East, China, Africa, ancient Egypt, and Central America. The exhibition will examine three themes: Obtaining Blue, Making Blue, and Synthesizing Blue. On view through spring 2026. Included with Museum admission.
The Philadelphia Children's Festival celebrates its 40th birthday. This year's festival features a supercharged circus of extreme sports, a refugee's powerful memoir brought to life onstage, and a story of friendship and plucky determination told through vibrant visuals and puppetry.
Dispossessions in the Americas (DIA), led by faculty at Penn, will celebrate the launch of its educational website. DIA combines research, teaching, and community engagement, bringing together participants from Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. The project explores the multifaceted histories of dispossession experienced by vulnerable populations across the Americas.
This conversation will focus on the long-term effects of gun violence in local communities beyond the crime scene. Serving as the launch event for a new Grid magazine podcast, the program will aim to raise awareness about gun violence in and beyond the Philadelphia region and to promote empathy for those affected.
This session, sponsored by the Division of Human Resources, will celebrate differences by exploring ways to practice self-acceptance, self-compassion, and build a supportive community. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for neurodiversity across Penn and practical ideas for fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance both personally and within their communities.
This panel of Penn faculty and staff, moderated by Duncan Watts, the Stevens University Professor and 23rd Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor at Penn, explores the balance between cutting-edge AI advancements and responsible development, with a focus on the broader societal impact of artificial intelligence.
This full-day course will teach skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes or risky topics. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), participants will practice effective decision-making, as well as acting on such decisions with unity and commitment.
William Glasgall, Penn IUR Fellow and Volcker Alliance Public Finance Advisor, and Susan Wachter, co-director of Penn IUR and a Wharton professor, along with an expert panel, will address the current outlook for state and local budgets and what this means for policymakers, taxpayers, and investors.
Experts at the Steven Miller Conservation Laboratory have uncovered new insights into several artifacts, including the ashes of a burned Shakespeare folio. As part of the Global Discovery Lecture Series and co-sponsored by The Penn Libraries, this panel will feature English professors Whitney Trettien and Zachary Lesser, and Head of Conservation Sarah Reidell, for a talk about these mysterious relics and what this means for the present and future of libraries and conservation. Register to attend.
This timely conversation between Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and current director of Chicago CRED, and Katharine O. Strunk, dean of Penn GSE, will focus on the evolving role of the federal government in education. The purpose will be to foster productive dialogue about innovative approaches to education policy.
This seminar will feature the authors of “In Covid’s Wake: The Global Impact of the Pandemic,” a collection of essays that examine the pandemic’s multifaceted effects. Topics will include public health interventions, the rise of misinformation, systemic strains on health care infrastructure, and disparities in health outcomes across populations. The aim will be to promote conversations on preparedness and resilience in the context of future global health emergencies.
Organized by the Penn Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics in partnership with the Penn Philosophy, Politics & Economics Program, NoBeC (Norms and Behavioral Change) Talks provide a platform for interdisciplinary early career and senior researchers who are working on norms and behavioral change around the world.
This symposium will feature authors from The Future of AI in Education, a special edition of the Social Innovations Journal, exploring the promise, challenges, and ethics of AI in learning—from K-12 to higher education. Contributors will examine the role of AI in education from multiple perspectives—including research, policy, technology development, and classroom practice—to better understand how AI is shaping the future of learning.
This conversation with Magnum photographer Alex Webb will focus on the intersection of cultures and the complexity of human emotions. Presented in partnership with Magnum Photos, the talk will include Sean Corcoran, curator of photography at the Museum of the City of New York, as well as poet and photographer Rebecca Norris Webb, Alex’s wife and creative partner.
This kid-friendly guided tour will explore the real-world artifacts and cultures behind the “Minecraft” game’s most iconic elements. Participants will unearth ancient tools from Africa, journey through the vibrant cities of Mesoamerica, check out the battle-ready armor worn by Greek hoplites, and be immersed in a mosaic-making workshop.
Visitors will celebrate the joys of spring as the garden and trees bloom. The vibrant flowers change on a weekly basis as the season unfolds, bringing bursts of color and fragrance. Free with Penn ID.
This exploration of the Revolution at Penn? exhibit will examine the formation of the University, the debates that divided the school during the American Revolution, and the compromises that reorganized it as the University of Pennsylvania in 1791. Free and open to the Penn community, this Alumni Weekend session will offer an insider’s look at rare documents and new insights on Penn’s history.
The 2025 Quattrone Center Spring Symposium will span two days of solution-focused discussions on the future of criminal justice reform. Sessions will be led by policymakers, academics, and legal practitioners, offering a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and build connections that drive tangible change for a fairer future.
The Baccalaureate ceremony and celebration for graduating students will comprise an interfaith program that includes student musical performances, readings, prayers, a special event for the graduates, the unveiling of the new class Ivy Stone, and distribution of a commemorative class pin. Tickets and academic regalia are not required.
Participants will kick off Senior Week at the New Alumni Orientation and Senior Carnival, hosted by Alumni Relations and the Office of the President. The event will include games, food, and information about how to stay involved with Penn after graduation.
Penn’s Association of Alumnae will present their annual awards: the Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Scholars Awards, the Continuing Education Award, the Fathers’ Trophy, and the Robert J. Alig Student Leadership Award, including a dinner and meet and greet.
In this workshop, the Office of Clinical Research will explore the ethical and privacy considerations involved with clinical research recruitment, as well as related strategies and resources at Penn. The event will include a Q&A where attendees can talk about experiences around recruitment for research studies or trials.
Juneteenth—commemorating the end of slavery in the United States—is a day to celebrate freedom, heritage, and community. Ahead of June 19, this festival will feature live performances, DJ sets, immersive storytelling, and hands-on activities for all ages. Participants can support Black-owned businesses at a community marketplace and attend the Juneteenth Honors Program. Free and open to the public.
This two-day symposium, co-sponsored by the Center for Global Genomics and Health Equity and the Center for Computational Biomedicine, will explore themes like population genomics and health risk, precision medicine, and global health, among other topics.
This annual ceremony and reception will celebrate graduating student leaders who are receiving awards this year. Awards include the President & Provost’s Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life and the Dr. Andy Binns Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate & Professional Student Life. Open to all members of the Penn community.
Penn Alumni will reunite with classmates at events like Franklin Fest, will stroll down Locust Walk during the Parade of Classes, enjoy the Alumni Picnic, attend panel discussions, raise a toast to Dear Old Penn at reunion celebrations, and attend an all-alumni brunch and memorial service, among numerous other activities.
During this annual showcase, graduating students will present final projects spanning a wide range of topics, from educational leadership and policy to technology, literacy, and learning design. Attendees can explore poster sessions, presentations, and interactive exhibits, engage directly with student researchers, and learn about the forward-thinking approach that defines the Penn GSE experience.
This edition of the Penn Alumni Water Forum’s Speaker Spotlight series will examine why drinking water system structures and governance are getting so much attention in popular media, the pros and cons of different organizational models like regional structures and cooperatives, and what the future of water systems might look like, followed by a discussion with practical takeaways for communities and system managers.
Penn Nursing’s annual awards program will celebrate the recipients of this year’s Student, Alumni & Faculty Awards. Attendees will hear about the achievements of Penn Nursing alumni, graduating students, and faculty.
The Weitzman School of Design's Year End Show brings together work from the Class of 2025 in architecture, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, historic preservation, and urban spatial analytics. The gallery opens on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterwards, regular visiting hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Alumni Weekend participants can stop by the Penn Arts & Sciences Tent for an opportunity to reconnect with other College alumni, take pictures at our fun photobooth, pick up some unique Penn swag, and discover opportunities to get involved.
Alumni are invited to explore the Fisher Fine Arts Library, including guided tours of the building and a chance to check out the Penn Fine Arts MFA Thesis Exhibition at the Arthur Ross Gallery. Light fare will be served.
During Alumni Weekend, attendees will reacquaint themselves with Kelly Writers House (KWH) or get to know this lively and innovative home for writers of all ages and genres. This open house will convene members of the KWH community for informal conversation, coffee, and light refreshments.
This event will feature “Discourse and Democracy: The Classroom as a Catalyst for Bridging Differences,” a panel discussion with Professor Sigal Ben-Porath and Associate Professor Abby Resiman, moderated by Dean Katharine Strunk. The event will also honor Penn GSE alumni teachers who are celebrating at least their fifth year in the classroom, ending with a reception to connect with members of the Penn and Penn GSE communities.
This panel discussion will focus on food writing in its many forms—recipes, journalism, cultural history, memoir, reviews, and more. Experts will include seasoned editors, journalists, authors, novelists, and cookbook writers.
The Penn alumni procession to Franklin Field for the 269th Commencement Ceremony will celebrate graduating seniors. Attendees must register in advance and wear their regalia (provided or their own) to participate.
This four-day training event is designed to help humanists develop new digital skills to assist with their research, teaching, and learning. Participants select one of nine classes, each constructed with graduate students and early career professionals in mind. No previous digital humanities experience is assumed or required for most classes.
This annual symposium provides attendees with an opportunity to connect with peers, discuss emerging research, and explore the latest advancements in structural biology. Register to attend.
This 90-minute training will help situate the setting and maintenance of personal and professional boundaries within the Restorative Practices framework. Participants will learn to define what boundaries are and practice strategies to communicate them effectively.
Participants will learn the different types of conflict and how to use several tools to help address conflict in healthy and productive ways, among other best practices. Attendees will practice using these tools to increase confidence in managing professional and interpersonal conflict.
Morris Arboretum staff will kick off the “Bees, Butterflies, and Blooms” summer-long exhibition at the Hummingbird Hut. Participants will learn about the connections between plants and pollinators, including the hummingbird, as well as how they pollinate and how to attract them to homes. Free with Penn ID.
This tour will focus on evergreen and deciduous shrubs for home gardeners. Shrubs provide showy foliage, vibrant blooms to attract pollinators, and structures to be used as natural screens. Participants can discover new and old-time favorite shrubs. Free with Penn ID.
Noor Toraif, an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Policy and Practice, will discuss her research examining the nexus of the child welfare, juvenile, and criminal legal systems. The conversation will focus on youth and young adults’ experiences within these systems, the systemic causes and consequences of carceral contact, and community-based strategies for disrupting youth criminalization.
Penn Farm is a campus farm and educational program that uses regenerative practices to grow produce in support of food access initiatives across the Penn community. Volunteers will convene for a hands-on learning experience. There will be an optional tour of Penn Farm from 1-1:30 p.m. Registration required for the tour.