Commencement 2025 At Palestra

Congratulations Class of 2026!

SCHEDULE
accessibility
FAQs

SP2 Commencement

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Pre-Ceremony Reception

The Inn at Penn
3600 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA
4:00 – 6:00pm ET

Graduation Ceremony

The Palestra
223 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA
6:30 – 8:00pm ET

270th University Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 18, 2026

Franklin Field

235 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

10:15AM ET

Visit the University Commencement for more information 

https://commencement.upenn.edu/

2026 Graduation Speaker

Shadrack O. Frimpong

Dr. Shadrack O. Frimpong

Dr. Shadrack O. Frimpong is a global health leader and scholar whose work focuses on occupational neurology; the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neurological disorders caused by environmental and work exposures such as pesticides and heat. Specifically, he focuses on the world’s 860 million farming families, including his parents and siblings. He pioneered occupational neurology for smallholder farmers and built the Cocoa360 Center, the world’s first campus for occupational neurology care.

Fueled by his background growing up on a farm in rural Ghana, Frimpong is a triple threat to the problems his efforts address: he’s lived through them (from birth), studied them and taken them on. He grew up without running water and electricity and, as a child, his legs were nearly amputated after contracting a river infection. Yet he became the first person from his village to attend college in the US, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) with the $150,000 President’s Engagement Prize (PEP), one of Penn’s highest honors. With the PEP, he built the Cocoa360 Center. Cocoa360’s campus comprises a clinic, a school and a farm that restores brain health for farmers and their schoolchildren.

Frimpong holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and an Advanced Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Health from Yale, graduating from both with top academic prizes. He also pursued a Ph.D. in Public Health and Primary Care from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Beyond his peer-reviewed publications, he has provided expertise on community engagement in public health and medicine, working with UNICEF and WHO to co-author evidence-based frameworks on global health issues.

Graduation Schedule

4:00PM
SP2 Pre-Ceremony Reception begins at the Inn at Penn

4:15PM
Welcome remarks from Dean Bachman

5:00PM
Graduates will be escorted from the Inn at Penn to the Palestra

*Palestra doors open for Accessible Seating only*


5:15 PM
Graduate Registration and Class Photos begins at Tse Sports Center (inside the Palestra)

6:15PM
Pre-Ceremony Reception ends

Palestra doors open for all guests

Graduation line up begins

6:30PM
SP2 Graduation Ceremony begins

Presentation of Graduates:
PhD, DSW, Internal Dual Degree, MSNPL, MSSP, MSSP+DA, MSW

8:30PM
Closing Remarks / Recessional

Accessibility Information

The Palestra doors open at 5pm for ADA seating. Our accessibility team will be stationed at 33rd St. at the crosswalk between Franklin Field and Walnut St. near the Palestra entrance. A golf cart will transport those with accessibility needs from 33rd St. to the Palestra where staff will be available to guide them to the designated sections. For guests attending the Pre-Ceremony Reception at the Inn at Penn, there will be transportation from the Inn at Penn to the Palestra starting at 4:30PM.

Accessibility Map Route To The Palestra

Additional Information

Those who requested accessible seating in the Palestra will have reserved seats marked with their graduates’ names. Others in their party will be able to sit right behind them.

After graduation, there will be two golf carts assisting those in need from the Palestra back to the handicap sign on 33rd St. If requesting this service, we greatly appreciate your patience as our staff members work diligently to get everyone back and forth in a timely manner.

Seating Chart

Accessible seating is available in the following sections:
Section 202/203
Section 216-217
Section 218/219

Accessibility Hero Seating Map

FAQs

What is the difference between the SP2 Graduation Ceremony and the University Commencement Ceremony?

  • At the SP2 Graduation Ceremony, graduate names are called and students walk across the stage.
  • At the University Commencement Ceremony, schools are recognized by their Dean. Graduates do not walk across the stage.
  • Diplomas are not distributed at either ceremony.
  • Students are not required to attend either ceremony.
  • Tickets are not required for either ceremony.

What time should I arrive for the graduation ceremony?

Line up for the graduation ceremony starts at 5:15 pm but you should definitely consider joining us for SP2’s Pre-Ceremony Reception at 4:00pm.

2026 Student Prizes & Awards

HAL LEVIN AWARD

Tony Shaw

This award is presented to meritorious students in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare program who are continuing the process of completing coursework.

DR. RAM CNAAN AWARD

Jen Panhorst

This award is presented to a meritorious student in the Doctorate in Clinical Social Work program who has completed the third year of coursework.

WILSON SPIGNER AWARD FOR SOCIAL POLICY EXCELLENCE

Jaelyn Liu

This award is presented to a graduate student in the Master of Science in Social Policy program who has demonstrated a record of intellectual inquiry and academic excellence and who is committed to using research to analyze and shape socia plolicy locally, nationally, and/or globally. The award is named in honor of the Reverend Dr. Welford Robinson Willson II, and his daughter, Dr. Carol Wilson Spigner, the first faculty director of the MSSP Program, who are often forgotten, through research-based change in policy and organizations.

EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD

Krista Smith

This award is presented to a meritorious graduating student in the Nonprofit Leadership program who has a record of academic excellence and has shown promise in using their talents and knowledge to create positive social impact.

RICHARD J. ESTES GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AWARD

Sina Barzegar

This award is presented to a graduating international student in the Nonprofit Leadership program who embodies a commitment to social impact, who has a record of academic excellence and who is committed to using their talents and knowledge to make a difference in the world.

ROSA WESSEL AWARD

Jeanne Chang

This award is presented to a meritorious graduating student in the Master of Social Work program who is selected based on academic performance and one or more of the following: exemplary student leadership, innovative activities in the field practicum, and exceptional community service.

DR. RUTH E. SMALLEY AWARD IN INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE

Elizabeth McGuinn

This award is presented to a member of the Master of Social Work graduating class who, through their writing, participation in class discussions, and experience, has demonstrated an interest in, and a working knowledge of, the international and cultural dimensions of social work practice, and the application of practice to research.

SP2 STUDENT OF EXCELLENCE

Jeanne Chang

SP2 student who has had a positive impact on the SP2 community through their collegiality, service, and community engagement inside and outside of the classroom.

Full GRADUATION PROGRAM booklet (COMING SOON)

Excellence in Teaching Awards

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to members of the
standing and non-standing faculty in recognition of excellence in
teaching and mentoring.


Full Time Faculty Recipients

Allison Werner-Lin, PhD, LCSW
Kim McKay, PhD, LSW, MEd


Part Time Lecturer Recipients

Meredith Myers, PhD
Regina Jones

Contact the Office of Student Affairs for any graduation related inquiries

sp2studentlife@sp2.upenn.edu