Hey Day Hopes


The irony is not lost on me that the tradition that I eschewed as as a student (I was nervous around a large crowd of very inebriated classmates) is now one of my (if not my absolute) favorite traditions at Penn.  As far as ceremonies go, I love Commencement first and then Convocation.  But, Hey Day has grown on me (like a fungus?) and, ignoring the inebriated and the years where it was "OK" to throw condiments, this march and gathering in front of College Hall is one of my favorite days on campus.  And, on the 286th day of 2021, the Class of 2022 finally got their Hey Day.  And, on 10/13/2021, the Band was there, the students marched over the Bridge (love this picture and love the shot from the crest of the Bridge, looking back to 40th street), the new VPUL participated in her first Hey Day and Dr. Gutmann presided over one of her last (if not the last, depends on her confirmation as Ambassador due soon).  And me, I was stuck in my office with my Hey Day Hopes.  I hope that, in April, the campus situation allows for the Class of 2023 to have their Hey Day at the traditional time.  I hope that my workload and project meetings allows me out of the office for a few hours to assume my usual position selling hats and canes and then marching with the Band.  I hope that the Class of 2023 enjoyed their day, even if 6 months late and during class time.  And I hope that today's event is another that inches us closer to getting back "on schedule" (if you will) for student life and celebrations on campus.  Happy Hey Day, Seniors!  Enjoy the rest of this year and see you at Commencement!

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