Rain moves Convocation indoors

Tuesday evening, over 2,500 freshmen and transfer students escaped the rain and huddled into the Palestra for the University’s 272nd Convocation.

The hour-long ceremony marked the beginning of the Class of 2015’s college career. Convocation is one of three occasions on which an entire class comes together — Hey Day and Commencement being the other two.

This year, Convocation was moved from College Green to the Palestra due to heavy rain, as was the Convocation for the Class of 2013 in 2009. Some students donned rain boots and jeans to stay dry while others wore formal attire.

The ceremony commenced with “Pomp and Circumstance,” following a rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Charles Howard, the University Chaplain, began the ceremony with an invocation. “For what do you wish, for what do you pray for individuals so gifted as these?” Howard said.

Dean of Admissions Eric Furda followed Howard with a shout-out to freshmen and transfers. This year, 12.3 percent, or 3,880 of 31,659 applicants were offered admission to Penn, of whom 2,410 matriculated.

President Amy Gutmann was the next to take the podium. “Let’s see how spirited you are,” Gutmann said, eliciting roars from the entire Palestra.

Gutmann followed through with an address in which she compared Penn to the universe and likened its students and faculty to stars. She encouraged students to find their own identities and develop their personalities at Penn. “The quest for meaningful knowledge and understanding lies at the heart of our university,” Gutmann said.

Gutmann also invited students to engage in service. “I trust that you will use the stars within you not only for your own development, but also for the Penn community, the West Philadelphia community and the global community.”

Provost Vincent Price advised students to spend their time wisely. Quoting Benjamin Franklin, he said “Do not squander time; that’s the stuff life is made of.”

College freshman David Britto said the Provost’s speech resonated with him. “I think the main thing is to grow a lot personally and be more mature,” he said.

Convocation also featured a performance by a cappella group Penny Loafers and a rendition of “The Red and the Blue” by the Penn Glee Club.

“I was impressed [by ‘The Red and the Blue’]. I really felt the spirit of the school,” Mari-Ana Narbon, an Engineering freshman, said. “There’s that sense of Penn tradition that you don’t get out of football and basketball games,” College junior and Penn Band member Jake Tolan said.

The ceremony was followed by a dessert reception complete with ice sculptures, chocolate fountains and pastries.

“This is incredible — the dessert,” College freshman Molly Markell said. Twenty minutes after convocation ended, just a few lone cookies remained on the dessert tables.

Check out a photo gallery of NSO 2011, including more shots from Convocation.

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