Aside from the Penn Reading Project on Graham Greene's novel, The Quiet American, the Class of 2007 has not been especially immersed in academics over the past week.
But as of 8 p.m. last night, President Judith Rodin officially initiated the new "brightest class" into Penn's community -- the first and last time the entire group will meet until graduation.
The Class of 2007 Convocation ceremonies held on College Green and in Blanche P. Levy Park concluded a weeklong series of events organized for New Student Orientation. The Penn Band, the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club and the Penny Loafers a cappella group all performed musical selections.
Rodin said that "convocation is a special, even a magical event," and the overwhelming crowd of over 2,000 wide-eyed, open-minded freshmen seemed to echo that sentiment.
"I feel a lot more inspired," Wharton freshman Josh Head said. "I feel ready for college."
College freshman Tracey Liebman agreed that "it was a powerful event, and it made you feel part of the University." She added that the ceremony "made us all feel good about being here."
Rodin laid out her high hopes for the 264th freshman class to immediately start composing a rich foundation for their future endeavors.
"We expect each of you to spend your time here writing the first draft of your own story," Rodin said. "College is a time to find out who you are, and Penn will offer you many opportunities and resources."
Rodin stressed the importance of "active learning" and the necessity of challenging the status quo in order to progress as leaders.
University Provost Robert Barchi also focused on students' need to use their college experience to seek out their own paths through questioning.
"The biggest difference between high school and college," Barchi said, "is that you will have to take the initiative, you will have to explore, you will have to reach out."
However, despite the motivating speeches and inspiring words of advice, some freshmen still find the start of classes a bit intimidating.
"I'm pretty nervous, because it is such a change," Wharton freshman Shuchi Kothari said. "I came from Bombay, so it is a completely different system."
Rodin and Barchi's addresses both emphasized the importance of exploring diversity on and around campus.
Rodin urged students "to draw upon Penn's rich diversity, because it reflects the world which you will be called upon to lead."
The ceremony wasn't all serious, though -- Rodin concluded her address to students by quoting the rock group Radiohead, saying, "If you try the best you can, the best you can is good enough," and then added that if years later they forgot what was said at their convocation, they would at least remember that their president quoted Radiohead.
College freshman Sarah Friedman said that the light tone of the speeches was comforting.
"It gave the message that college is about studying and having fun," Friedman said.
"College is an experience in the broadest sense of the word," Barchi said. And as he twice reminded the incoming class, "Don't miss the parties."
