Penn is obviously the inspiration for the new American Hogwarts

It’s been a little over a week since JK Rowling graced us with the name of the infamous North American School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Ilvermorny.

AKA Penn

We Potter-frenzied Quakers, who have memorized just about every spell in the book and can recite the names of all wizards and witches (including the most obscure ones – Hannah Abbott, I’m looking at you) are certain Penn is the most dedicated wizarding community out there. Thus, Penn is Ilvermorny.

Our very own castle, The Quad.
Photo Credit: Ilona Jileaeva

A sophomore at Penn put it best: “Penn has such a wildly different array of people, but we all fall under the same umbrella, and that is WIZARDRY. [It’s] like we’re all in different Hogwarts houses or schools, but we’re all part of the same (wizarding) community.”

If that quote alone doesn’t eradicate your doubts, here are some more concrete examples.

We have the prestige — and the academics

Rowling claims that her wizarding schools are prestigious, and what school is more prestigious than Penn?

Our students – or more accurately, wizards – are granted opportunities to take courses that often refer to Harry Potter. Let’s take WRIT 088, better known as The Sociology of Harry Potter, where students question the sociological issues present within the Muggle World.

Or perhaps, for all of the Annenberg wizards, COMM 225 is a better example. In this class, our wizarding nerds contemplate child development through a Harry Potter Lens.

The Prince…or the Half-Blood Prince?

Our Quidditch team is on point

As if our academic excellence in all things Potter isn’t enough, our sports-loving Quaker wizards have also dedicated hours to training a passionate Quidditch team, The Penn Pygmy Puffs.

2014 Inaugural Winter Wonderpuff Cup
PC: Isabella Gong

Our social scene

Let’s briefly touch upon Penn’s social scene. This past November, the Class of 2018 Board took it upon themselves to design Hogwarts-themed class shirts. These shirts were in such high demand that the board set up an electronic waiting list prior to placing a second order of Hogwarts attire.

In more recent news, a Phi Delta social event adopted a Harry Potter theme in which participants were encouraged to dress up as their favorite character (or at least easiest to imitate because we’re lazy and that’s why no one really resembles any well known character).

It’s butter beer

There you have it. The Wizarding World has infiltrated the academic, athletic and social scenes here at Penn. Now, you, me and the whole Penn community can join in revealing Rowling’s newest mystery: Penn is Ilvermorny.

So seek out an owl, get in contact with  the International Confederation of Wizards and come to Penn via Kings Cross Station. I guarantee that no one can rock an enchanted robe, a crooked wand and enormous glasses like us Quaker Wizards.

Harry in his invisibility cloak