Michael Beschloss to Deliver Penn’s 2026 Commencement Address

Award-winning historian and author Michael Beschloss will deliver the 2026 University of Pennsylvania Commencement address on Monday, May 18, at Franklin Field. The announcement was made by University Secretary Medha Narvekar .

A Renowned Historian and Scholar

Penn President J. Larry Jameson expressed his pleasure in having Beschloss address the Class of 2026, noting his importance as a historian and his contributions to understanding leadership through his extensive work . Jameson highlighted Beschloss’s research, writing, and insights as invaluable for understanding the past and its influence on the present and future.

Beschloss’s Accomplishments and Works

Michael Beschloss is the author of ten books, including his most recent, Presidents of War, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller . His other works include Kennedy and Roosevelt, which originated as his senior honors thesis at Williams College, as well as Presidential Courage, The Conquerors, and two volumes on Lyndon Johnson’s White House tapes: Taking Charge: The Johnson White House Tapes, 1963–1964, and Reaching for Glory: Lyndon Johnson’s Secret White House Tapes, 1964–1965 .

Beschloss currently serves as the NBC News Presidential Historian and contributes to PBS NewsHour . He has also been a contributing columnist to The New York Times and has received an Emmy for his television work .

Honorary Degree Recipients

In addition to delivering the commencement address, Beschloss will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree . Other 2026 honorary degree recipients include:

• Carolyn Bertozzi (honorary doctor of sciences)
• James Corner (honorary doctor of arts)
• Claudia Goldin (honorary doctor of laws)
• Ann Hobson Pilot (honorary doctor of music)

About the University of Pennsylvania Commencement

The University of Pennsylvania’s 270th Commencement ceremony will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Franklin Field . The ceremony will include the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, and remarks from University officials and the Commencement speaker.