Across its history, Penn has worked to widen the circle of opportunity.
By President J. Larry Jameson
As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I have been reflecting on its profound opening words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Our history reminds us that the promise of those words has not always been fully realized. For many, the starting line is set back, and the path forward is uphill.
Education has long been one of the most powerful ways to create opportunity and improve society. Higher levels of education are associated with greater economic mobility, better health and longevity, and stronger civic engagement. Universities therefore advance not only individual success, but also the broader public good.
This belief animated Benjamin Franklin’s vision of a practical, open-minded, engaged university that would prepare students to apply knowledge in service to the world. That spirit guides us today.
Across its history, Penn has worked to widen the circle of opportunity. Penn has opened its doors to groups once excluded, welcomed students from across the nation and around the world, supported local investment and partnerships, and created campus organizations that foster community and belonging. Along Locust Walk, we see that legacy in the cultural and affinity groups established by prior generations—tangible reminders that people of different backgrounds, identities, and experiences belong here.
Today, Penn is more broadly diverse and connected than at any time in its history. Programs such as Penn First Plus support first-generation students and those from rural, urban, and lower-income backgrounds. The Quaker Commitment expands undergraduate financial aid by fully covering tuition for families earning $200,000 or less. These initiatives reflect a guiding principle: Talent is widely distributed, but opportunity is not.
Our commitment to excellence is inseparable from our commitment to access and inclusion. When people with diverse perspectives and experiences learn and work together, new questions emerge, assumptions are challenged, and stronger ideas follow. That synergy defines Penn, through interdisciplinary programs like the Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professorships, collaborative research centers, and our tightly interwoven campus that brings disciplines and people into close proximity.
That openness also shapes our global engagement. Penn proudly welcomes students and scholars from around the world. Earlier this semester, I visited Singapore and South Korea—home to our fifth-largest international alumni community. Walking on stage to the hit song “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters at an all-Penn constituent event in Seoul, I was reminded that our academic community is more vibrant and creative for this dynamic global exchange. In turn, our alumni shared with me their incredible stories about what they are doing in the world, underscoring how fortunate we are to be an academic home for thousands of international students and scholars representing more than 140 countries and territories.
During my time as president, I have been continually inspired by our faculty and students and their countless powerful, resonant stories and achievements: Nobel Prize–winning mRNA technology, prestigious global fellowships, Pulitzer Prize recipients, and international President’s Innovation and Engagement Prize winners like Ejun Hong C’25 who, together with Jack Roney C’25, created LensBright, which brings photography and filmmaking to West Philadelphia high school students.
The rich cultural mosaic of our campus has long been a wellspring of discovery and progress in numerous fields—from the arts and literature to agriculture, medicine, and science. Penn has always derived strength from welcoming people, ideas, and discoveries from wherever—and whomever—they might arise. Global engagement is not ancillary to our mission; it is central to who we are and who we aspire to be.
With Penn Forward, we are developing strategies to further strengthen access and affordability while expanding our global engagement. We are also exploring how Penn supports its community across every stage of life. For example, we are strengthening networks for mentoring, shadowing experiences, and internships, further leveling the playing field for students; considering new ways to increase affordability and cost transparency for students and families; and reimagining our national and global reach and relationships.
Opportunity, respect, intellectual openness, and the conviction that talent can come from anywhere have shaped Penn since its founding and remain essential to its future. For us, these ideas are not catchphrases—they are enduring elements of our culture. We will continue to foster a community in which every member feels welcomed, respected, and able to contribute fully to the life of the University.
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is an invitation to recommit ourselves to the country’s founding ideals. Through continued excellence in education, knowledge creation, and service, Penn will uphold its academic and civic responsibility to help make equality more than a promise.
