Commencement
Class of 2021 to Receive Commemorative NFTs During Commencement Festivities
When the Class of 2021 returns to campus this month, they will receive more than a long-awaited on-campus Commencement — for the first time in Harvard’s history, they will also have the opportunity to claim a commemorative non-fungible token, or NFT.
Nearly 90 Percent of Classes of 2020 and 2021 Plan to Attend Joint Commencement Ceremony, Khurana Says
Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana said in a Thursday interview that nearly 90 percent of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 said they plan to return to Harvard and attend their delayed Commencement ceremony later this month.
Ashton Kutcher to Address Harvard College Class of 2020 at Class Day Dinner
Actor and producer Ashton Kutcher will address the Harvard College Class of 2020 at its Class Day Dinner later this month.
Duke Senior’s Commencement Speech Appears to Plagiarize 2014 Address by Harvard Student
Duke University’s 2022 undergraduate commencement speaker, Priya Parkash, appears to have plagiarized a 2014 student commencement address at Harvard given by Sarah F. Abushaar ’14.
Harvard Affiliates Praise HKS Commencement Speaker Pick Amid War in Ukraine
As war continues to rage in Ukraine, Harvard affiliates praised the selection of Moldovan President Maia Sandu to deliver the Harvard Kennedy School’s graduation address in May.
Attorney General Merrick Garland ’74 to Speak at Harvard’s Joint Commencement for Classes of 2020, 2021
United States Attorney General Merrick B. Garland ’74 will speak at Harvard's joint Commencement ceremony for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 this spring.
Tracy K. Smith ’94 to Speak at Harvard Alumni Day
Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Tracy K. Smith ’94 will serve as the Harvard Class of 2022's Alumni Day speaker, the University announced Wednesday.
Civil Rights Lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill Chosen for 2022 Radcliffe Medal
Sherrilyn Ifill, an influential civil rights lawyer who leads the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, will receive the 2022 Radcliffe Medal, Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study announced last Friday.
Harvard Alumni Split Over Move to Separate Commencement from Reunion Events
After learning in-person annual alumni events will be separated from Commencement for the first time, some Harvard alumni mourned the loss of intergenerational connections, even as many acknowledged the practical reasons behind the change.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Speak at Harvard Class of ’22 Commencement
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will speak at Harvard’s 369th Commencement ceremony this spring. She is set to address Harvard’s Class of 2022 at the first of two Commencement ceremonies the school will hold in May.
New Zealand Prime Minister to Speak at Harvard Commencement, Report Says
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be one of Harvard’s Commencement speakers in May, according to a report in a Kiwi news outlet.
Unconcerned by Crowds, Bacow Says He Hopes Commencement Will Help Local Businesses
As Harvard prepares to host two Commencement ceremonies in four days this spring, University President Lawrence S. Bacow said he is unconcerned about the hordes of people who will be traveling to campus for the events.
Harvard to Host Joint Commencement Ceremony for Classes of 2020, 2021 This Spring
Harvard will host a joint Commencement ceremony for its last two graduating classes this spring, allowing the Classes of 2020 and 2021 to celebrate graduation in person after their exercises were postponed due to the pandemic.
Bacow ‘Very Pleased’ By Response to Covid Guidelines on Campus
Despite an initial spike in cases on campus, Bacow said in an interview Tuesday he was “very pleased” with adherence to indoor mask requirements, noting the University has avoided any severe outbreaks.
Harvard Hosts Ceremonies Celebrating Black and Latinx Graduates
Harvard’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging hosted Latinx and Black graduations for students across the University’s schools on Tuesday afternoon.
Bacow Confers 1,292 College Degrees in Harvard’s Second Virtual Graduation; Speaker Ruth Simmons Urges Grads to ‘Be a Force for Inclusion’
Harvard awarded 2,440 degrees across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at its second consecutive virtual Commencement ceremony Thursday, including 1,292 degrees to the College’s Class of 2021.
Podcast: The River Rundown
The River Rundown is a podcast about Harvard Athletics amidst the pandemic — focusing on alumni and undergraduates alike, and how the pandemic has impacted their careers. Hosted by Amir Mamdani, this six-part series incorporates a variety of perspectives and athletic experiences, tying together some complementary views on life across the Charles River.
BGLTQ Students Celebrated in Lavender Graduation Ceremonies
Harvard College’s Office of BGLTQ Student Life hosted its annual Lavender Graduation — a ceremony to honor the achievements of BGLTQ students — for more than 40 graduating seniors Sunday evening
Jeremy Lin ’10 Named 2021 College Class Day Speaker
Professional basketball player Jeremy Lin ’10 will address the College’s Class of 2021 at this year’s virtual Class Day on May 26, the University announced Monday.
Bacow Hopes for ‘As Close to a Traditional’ Post-Covid Commencement As Possible for Classes of ’20, ’21
University President Lawrence S. Bacow said in an interview Thursday that Harvard intends for future in-person celebrations for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 to closely mirror traditional Commencement Exercises with just “as much pomp and circumstance.”
‘Doesn’t Cut It’: College Seniors React to Commencement Announcement
Harvard’s decision Friday to postpone its in-person Commencement Exercises in favor of a May virtual ceremony for the second year in a row was met with dismay but expectation from some seniors.
Harvard Postpones 370th Commencement, Ruth J. Simmons To Speak at Virtual Ceremony
Harvard will postpone its Commencement Exercises and hold a virtual ceremony in May for the second consecutive year to heed public health guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced Friday.
Comedian Conan O’Brien Addresses College Class of 2020
In Harvard College’s first-ever virtual graduation ceremony, the Class of 2020 celebrated its achievements and commemorated its losses on Thursday with a colorful address from comedian Conan C. O’Brien ’85.
Bacow Confers 1,542 College Degrees in Harvard’s First Virtual Graduation
In Harvard’s first online commencement ceremony, University President Lawrence S. Bacow conferred 1,542 bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees to the Class of 2020.