Michael Beschloss
Historian, scholar of leadership, author
News and Documentary Emmy Award, 2005
2026 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Doctor of Letters
Photo Credit: Stephen Voss
Commencement
The Office of the University Secretary coordinates the University's ceremonial activities including Convocation, and Commencement.
Please visit the Commencement web site for details regarding the ceremony.
For videos of recent Commencement ceremonies on Franklin Field, visit the Commencement Webcast and Multimedia Archives web site.
Visit a list of past honorary degree recipients.
Future Penn Commencement Dates
Dates of future Commencement ceremonies:
- Monday, May 18, 2026
- Monday, May 24, 2027
- 2028 - TBD
Penn Commencement Programs
Copies of the most recent Commencement programs are available through this office:
Office of the University Secretary
University of Pennsylvania
1 College Hall Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303
(215) 898-7005 Phone
(215) 898-0103 Fax
ofcsec@pobox.upenn.edu
Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients
The speaker and honorary degree recipients for The University of Pennsylvania's 270th Commencement ceremony include Michael Beschloss, Carolyn Bertozzi, James Corner, Claudia Goldin, and Ann Hobson Pilot (see slideshow.)
Carolyn Bertozzi
Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Chemical
and Systems Biology and Radiology (by courtesy), Stanford University
Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2022
Honorary Doctor of Sciences
Photo Credit: Christopher Michel
James Corner
Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, University of Pennsylvania
Founding Partner, Field Operations
Honorary Doctor of Arts
Photo Credit: Josh Chessum
Claudia Goldin
Samuel W. Morris University Professor and Henry Lee Professor of Economics, Harvard University
Nobel Prize in Economics, 2023
Honorary Doctor of Laws
Photo Credit: Martha Stewart
Ann Hobson Pilot
Classical harpist, educator, recording artist
Principal harpist, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1980-2009
Honorary Doctor of Music
Photo Credit: Michael Kinsey
Address
Office of the University Secretary
1 College Hall, Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303
Phone
Phone (215) 898-7005
Fax (215) 898-0103
Contact Us
Office of the University Secretary
Location
Campus Map