Perennial events define life at Penn

Each year, a handful of campus events act as staples of the University's social calendar. The following is a list of annual events at Penn that no one should miss.

Convocation: Sept. 6,

7 p.m., College Green

This is one of the most important traditions of all, one at which members of the incoming freshman class are welcomed to the University community. It also offers the chance to see the faculty in full academic regalia and College Hall illuminated in red and blue, honoring the official integration of the incoming class.

Homecoming Weekend: Nov. 4-6

Homecoming brings to campus a great number of alumni, a smattering of barbecues and, this year, a football game against rival Princeton that promises to deck Franklin Field in red and blue.

Connaissance Speakers

The Social Planning and Events Committee of the University brings speakers every semester from diverse backgrounds who draw crowds of students to Irvine Auditorium and the Annenberg Center. Past speakers have included Madeleine Albright, Rudy Giuliani, Patch Adams and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

SPEC Concerts

Besides the Spring Fling concert, SPEC also organizes a number of concerts throughout the year for special events. In past years, Busta Rhymes, George Clinton and Wyclef have performed on campus. The SPEC Jazz & Grooves shows also promise to be attractive to jazz fans.

Spring Fling: April 7-8

During this weekend, students exchange their academic lives for three days in the Quadrangle with music, fried Oreos and funnel cakes. The event features a concert; last year, SPEC Concerts brought Sonic Youth, Cat Power and Citizen Cope. Since the 1960s, Spring Fling has been the ultimate student festival at Penn, and it is generally associated with an increased consumption of alcohol.

Penn Relays: April 27-29

This is your chance to see track-and-field stars both up and coming and well established. Started in 1895, the Penn Relays is the largest and oldest track meet in the world -- but it is more than just a track meet. The formal Penn Relay Carnival occurs in the Franklin Field parking lot and on the Lott Tennis Courts, where vendors can be found selling just about everything.

Commencement: May 15

Togas and tassels abound in Franklin Field on the day that Penn says farewell to its senior class. After years of work, seniors get to march onto the field and walk off with a diploma. If you are still in the Philadelphia area, be sure not to miss this event, which will showcase the Class of 2006 and its accomplishments. Last year's speaker was U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

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