Penn welcomed over 2,400 members of the Class of 2028 to campus for the first time this week — and thousands of returning students back to West Philadelphia. 

This year’s New Student Orientation programming included more than 100 events, including an inaugural event at the National Constitution Center and a session focused on community relationships and discourse. Programming ran from Aug. 21-26.

As the Class of 2028 arrived to Penn, The Daily Pennsylvanian’s photographers captured the moments of excitement and joy that made the week. 

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Move in for the exchange, first-generation, low-income, international, and transfer students began on Aug. 19. Interim Penn President Larry Jameson, alongside the Penn Band and the Phillie Phanatic, welcomed the rest of the first-year students to campus on Aug. 20.

Jameson spent the week engaging with the Penn community, introducing himself in conversations with parents, faculty, students, and staff following his appointment in December 2023.

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Jameson also toured the recently renovated Riepe College House, alongside Engineering first year Pedro Sánchez-Gil and House Director Shalyssa Smith.

Jameson attended the New Student Resource Fair on Wednesday, meeting with representatives from various departments at Penn and stopping to take a selfie or two. 

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In the afternoon, Jameson spoke on the steps of College Hall alongside Provost John Jackson at the President and Provost’s Family Welcome, which featured a performance from the Penn Glee Club. 

In his remarks, Jackson told students that while at Penn, they will “gain wisdom, emotional intelligence, and an elevated awareness of the world, its people, and how you can make a positive contribution.”

Both Jackson and Jameson mingled with students and parents after their remarks. 

The very first Penn Spirit Day during NSO took place on Aug. 22, and students were encouraged to wear red and blue. First-year students took their class photo at Franklin Field, and attended a “Building the Penn Community” event in the Palestra. 

In the afternoon, Penn Traditions hosted the Highball to Hey Day Carnival on College Green, where students could earn prizes and learn about the traditions that comprise life at Penn. 

The evening included an event at the National Constitution Center, which looked to help introduce students to Philadelphia’s rich historical and cultural offerings and highlight civil dialogue.

New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives Director David Fox, wrote to the DP that this year the NSO team “rethought many of aspects of NSO,” adding that both the spirit day and NCC event “stood out” to him.

The signature NSO gala took place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the evening of Aug. 24, featuring tours of the museum and dinner. 

Convocation took place on Franklin Field for the second year in a row, as first-year and transfer students heard speeches from Jameson, Jackson, and Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule and musical performances from the Penn Band, Glee Club, and Penn Masala.

In his remarks, Jameson focused on four “insider tips” to Penn, telling students that Penn is “anchored, interwoven, inventive, and engaged,” encouraging students to take advantage of resources offered.