Faculty and Administration Commencement Information

academic procession on franklin field

Penn's 269th Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Franklin Field at 10:15 a.m., and is preceded by student and academic processions to the stadium. The ceremony will end at approximately 12:15 p.m. and will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker, who will be announced in the spring.

Participating in Commencement

Invitations to participate in the Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025 are sent to faculty and select administration in early spring.

The academic procession will begin at 9:00 a.m. and proceed to Franklin Field. Please arrive at the line-up location no later than 8:45 a.m. Upon arriving at Franklin Field, the procession will stop to cheer on the students as they walk through. Please do not shake hands with the students, as this slows down the procession. After all the students have passed, the academic procession will fall in line behind the students and continue to their seats. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m., and end at approximately noon.

academic procession at Franklin Field gate

Commencement Webcast and Multimedia Archives

If you are unable to attend the University Commencement ceremony, you may view the livestream. Coverage from Franklin Field will begin at 9:00 a.m. EST on Monday, May 19, 2025.  The ceremony will be recorded and remain available for later viewing as well.  

Commencement Webcast and Multimedia Archives
ceremony on Franklin Field

PHILADELPHIA WEATHER

Inclement and Severe Weather Plans

Commencement will be held rain or shine. However, for the safety of graduates and guests, severe weather conditions may require the cancellation of the student procession across campus or the delay of the ceremony.

In dangerous weather conditions, the ceremony may be relocated indoors to the Palestra, where seating would be limited to the academic procession and graduating students. In the case of this relocation, students should report to the Palestra no later than 9:30 a.m. Please know that the decision to move the Commencement ceremony indoors would be made in only extreme conditions.

If weather requires changes to the Commencement ceremony schedule, information will be found on:

  • A notice on this website
  • Announcements on (215) 898-MELT and radio station KYW (1060 AM)
  • Signs posted around campus

Volunteering at Commencement

If you are interested in volunteering at the Commencement ceremony, please email seccoor@pobox.upenn.edu.

Address & Phone

1 College Hall, Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7006