For many years, the History Department honored graduating History Majors at a reception on the afternoon before the College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Ceremony. Held in College Hall 200, where some of the largest and most popular History courses are offered at Penn, the reception typically features a program to recognize student achievements and time for students and their guests to talk to the faculty. This year, the History Department moved the reception online and introduced some new elements. The History faculty offered advice and good wishes to the graduates in short videos filmed at their homes, sometimes with assistance from their small children. One graduate, Archana Upadhyay, gave a thoughtful and moving graduation speech on the importance of studying history right now. The event culminated in the Presentation of Graduates, consisting primarily of videos made by the graduates themselves.
We invite you to view a recording of the reception, which is now available on our Class of 2020 Graduation Page.