Amy Gutmann

Voting is a simple act of civic duty, but it is also a transformative one. Each of us joins with millions of individuals across the country to enact something--the democratic choice of our representatives--that none of us can or should do alone. Voting in a constitutional democracy not only expresses our citizenship; it also enables us together to continually re-establish something much mightier than any of us could otherwise be: a democratic republic that aspires to recognize the liberty and equality of all persons.

A warm welcome to all at the start of a new academic year. This week marks the landfall ten years ago of Hurricane Katrina.

This summer, we created and I announced the President’s Engagement Prizes. These are annual, competitively-awarded prizes for Penn seniors to design and undertake fully-funded local, national or global engagement projects during the first year after they graduate from Penn. Prize recipients will receive $50,000 for one year of living expenses after graduation and up to $100,000 in project expenses.

Student input is essential to the work of the Task Force, and we anticipate that it will establish two working groups to carry out its charge, both of which will include students, faculty, and staff.

Penn Compact 2020 renews Penn’s fundamental priorities — increasing access, integrating knowledge and engaging locally, nationally and globally.

Increasing diversity and inclusion at every level — student, faculty and staff — is one of Penn’s highest institutional priorities.

Increasing diversity at every level of our university has always been and remains one of my highest priorities.

Democracy works, but only when one key ingredient is added: you and your fellow citizens.

An Olympic medal is wonderful, but the real gold at Penn can be found in all this great University has to offer.

Penn President Amy Gutmann and Chair of the Board of Trustees David L. Cohen address the upcoming Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions conference.