While incoming undergraduate students raved about the chocolate fountains and eclairs after Tuesday’s convocation, graduate students were served wine and beer at yesterday’s Graduate Student Reception.
The annual welcome reception for new graduate and professional students was held at the Annenberg Center lobby. The two-hour reception was organized by the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, the Office of the President and the Graduate Student Center.
“Since each graduate school at Penn starts on slightly different days, this is a great opportunity for the new graduate school student community to meet new people and find out different resources available at this school,” said third-year Law School student and the chairman of GAPSA Joseph Friedman.
New students not only enjoyed their food and drinks provided at the reception, but also took advantage of booths and tables set up by over 30 organizations including cultural groups and libraries to provide information on resources at Penn.
Students found them helpful to get adjusted a new environment. “It was helpful to know where resources are on campus, especially because I am in a new school,” said first-year Liberal and Professional Studies student Natalie Hsiao.
“I could get whatever information I needed,” added first-year Engineering graduate student Priyankan Choudhury. “It is also pretty nice to meet new people.”
The reception and resource fair was followed by the welcoming remarks. Friedman welcomed all new graduate students and introduced Penn President Amy Gutmann and the Provost Vincent Price.
Price congratulated students for choosing Penn, adding that the “graduate schools are the hearts and souls of the University.”
He advised them to balance graduate school studies, family life, teaching and even other jobs they might have.
He also encouraged students to dig deep, challenge themselves to think in new ways and to find new perspectives through their interaction with their peers and professors.
Gutmann encouraged new graduate students to cultivate a love of “lifelong learning for lifelong success.”
In advising students to connect, be open and have fun, Gutmann noted, “Everything at Penn is walkable, so take advantage of it. Everything you need is all across the University.”
She concluded her speech by telling students to delve into the West Philadelphia community and the global community while having fun at the same time.
The reception ended with more food and drinks. Graduate students were able to enjoy tacos, cheese platters and alcoholic beverages, among other treats.
“This is lovely. The food is amazing,” Choudhury said.
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