Harvard University Commencement

Harvard University Commencement
Name	Harvard University Commencement
Caption	Commencement exercises on the Tercentenary Theatre, with Memorial Hall in the background
Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Established	1642
Organizer	Harvard Corporation
Frequency	Annual

Harvard University Commencement is the annual graduation ceremony for Harvard University degree candidates, a centuries-old rite marked by academic procession, speeches, and degree conferral. The event unites members of the Harvard Corporation, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and affiliated Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study with graduates, families, and invited dignitaries. Traditionally held in late May or early June, the exercises combine long-standing rituals with contemporary addresses by political leaders, artists, scientists, and activists.

History

The roots reach back to colonial New England when Harvard College conferred early degrees and held exercises in the 17th century alongside institutions such as Yale University and College of William & Mary. In the 18th century, ceremonies involved figures from the First Great Awakening and attendees included colonial governors like Thomas Hutchinson and clergy influenced by Jonathan Edwards. During the 19th century, commencement evolved amid the careers of alumni such as Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau, intersecting with events like the American Civil War and reform movements led by Frederick Douglass. The 20th century brought addresses by statesmen including Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the university adjusted ceremonies during crises such as World War I, World War II, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The modern era has featured participants from Nobel Prize circles, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leaders from organizations including the United Nations, European Union, and World Bank.

Ceremonies and Traditions

Commencement begins with academic processions led by marshals from Harvard Yard across the Tercentenary Theatre toward Harvard Stadium or the Yard, depending on weather, accompanied by music from the Harvard Band and ensembles like the Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Society, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. Ritual elements include the conferral of degrees by the President of Harvard University, the reading of honors lists, and the awarding of distinctions named after benefactors such as John Harvard and institutions such as the Harvard Corporation. Traditions incorporate speeches, the wearing of distinctive academic hoods associated with graduate schools like Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, and established ceremonial roles held by deans from Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Academic Regalia and Symbols

Academic dress follows patterns rooted in the Cambridge University and Oxford University customs adopted in early American colleges like Princeton University and Yale University. Regalia include gowns and hoods denoting degrees from schools such as Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Medallions and maces carried during processions link to symbols used at institutions including Columbia University and Brown University, while honorary degree citations reference works by laureates such as Toni Morrison, Martin Luther King Jr., and Albert Einstein. Colors and styles echo those codified by organizations like the American Council on Education and display connections to donors like Widener Library benefactors and endowments named for families such as the Gates and Rockefeller lineages.

Speakers and Honorary Degrees

Commencement has hosted speakers from across public life: presidents like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush; heads of state such as Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher; jurists including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.; economists like Milton Friedman and Amartya Sen; authors including Toni Morrison, Seamus Heaney, and Salman Rushdie; scientists such as E. O. Wilson, Steven Chu, and Jennifer Doudna; and activists like Malala Yousafzai and Angela Davis. Honorary degrees have been conferred on figures from institutions including Nobel Committee laureates, recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, and leaders of organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organization.

Campus Locations and Processions

Primary locations include Harvard Yard, Memorial Church, Tercentenary Theatre, and occasionally Soldiers Field or Harvard Stadium for larger gatherings, with alternative indoor venues like Sanders Theatre and Fogg Art Museum for inclement weather or smaller convocations. Processions route through landmarks such as Widener Library, Lowell House, and University Hall, integrating campus sites tied to donors and historical figures including Charles W. Eliot and A. Lawrence Lowell. Logistical coordination involves campus police, municipal agencies like the Cambridge Police Department, and services from transportation hubs including Kendall/MIT station and nearby Boston Logan International Airport for visiting dignitaries.

Notable Moments and Controversies

Commencements have produced memorable events and disputes: controversial speeches that prompted protests involving groups such as Students for a Democratic Society, disputes over honorary degrees for figures linked to institutions like ExxonMobil and Siemens, and debates over campus policies during episodes tied to Vietnam War protests and movements influenced by Occupy Wall Street. Noteworthy moments include surprise appearances by alumni like Mark Zuckerberg and contentious honorary degree decisions involving figures such as Henry Kissinger and corporate leaders from Goldman Sachs. Security, free speech debates, and academic governance issues have engaged entities including the American Association of University Professors and civil liberties groups like the ACLU.

Attendance, Tickets, and Accessibility

Attendance is typically limited to degree candidates, faculty marshals, and ticketed guests, with policies set by the Registrar of Harvard College and offices such as the Office of Student Life. Ticket distribution, guest lists, and accommodations are coordinated with departments including Harvard University Housing and services like Disability Resources (DRC), while media coverage is managed by Harvard University Communications and outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and broadcasters like CBS and NBC. Accessibility measures have included captioning, sign language interpretation, and accommodations modeled on standards promoted by Americans with Disabilities Act advocates and disability rights organizations.

Category:Harvard University