Campus & Community

Commencement: A day in pictures

5 min read

Anticipation gave way to celebration today in Harvard Yard as more than 7,000 students graduated during Commencement Day ceremonies. The day was marked with ancient rites and hallowed traditions, with memories and hope for the future. It was a day to spend with family and friends to thank those who supported them in good times and bad, and to finally savor achievements won through hard work and determination.

Winthrop House graduates Jonathan Steinman (from left), Laura Peterzan, and Laurel Macey march up Dunster Street toward Commencement Exercises. Rose Lincoln /Harvard Staff Photographer
Class of 1969 members Jonathan Hubbard of Chicago (left) and Hugh Kelley of Wellesley size up their regalia prior to the morning festivities. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Marshal Aaron Byrd reads in the yard before the exercises begin. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Yinka Adio (from left) and Abimbola Odutayo help Kayode Odutayo of the Harvard School of Public Health straighten his cap and gown. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter, an honorary degree recipient and the speaker for the Afternoon Exercises, talks with President Drew Faust inside Massachusetts Hall prior to the festivities. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Christoph Luschin and his father, Hanno, from the Ukraine, walk past a mural on Brattle Street of Charlie Chaplin doffing his hat. Luschin graduated from the Law School. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Sheriff of Middlesex County James DiPaola rides a white horse into Harvard Yard. He is responsible for officially declaring the start of Commencement, decreeing, “This meeting will be in order.” Kristyn Ulanday/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds waves to graduates from the steps of University Hall as they gather for the senior service inside the Memorial Church. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduates from the College pass the John Harvard Statue and University Hall on their way to the senior service. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Suveg Pandey (left) and Whitney Williams fit in a quick nap before the service begins in Memorial Church. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduates exit the Memorial Church following the morning service for seniors. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Honorary degree recipients Baroness Onora O’Neill of Bengarve (from left) and Meryl Streep listen to Harvard President Drew Faust just prior to the procession. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Tony Lam and his daughter, Eva Lam ’10, share a moment on the steps of University Hall. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Family members watch the graduates process in front of the steps of Widener Library. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard President Drew Faust walks through lines of graduating students in Harvard Yard. Kristyn Ulanday/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduates process into Tercentenary Theatre. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduates enjoy a picture-perfect blue sky as Morning Exercises commence. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Proud parent Caroline Kennedy celebrates her daughter’s graduation. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduates and their families fill Tercentenary Theatre. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Business School graduates wear hundred dollar bills pinned to their caps in celebration of Commencement. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Mohammad Chishti (left) and Katherine Chon celebrate the conferral of their degrees with Harvard Kennedy School classmates. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Members of the Harvard School of Public Health Class of 2010 celebrate. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Honorary degree recipients Meryl Streep and David H. Souter share a laugh. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduate School of Design students decorate their caps with lego designs representing green buildings. Kristyn Ulanday/Harvard Staff Photographer
Jason Aaron Katz (from left), Rebecca Hart, and Ricky Hart watch the Morning Exercises. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard awarded a total of 7,125 degrees and 89 certificates at its 359th Commencement. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Business School graduate Tong Chen celebrates by waving a dollar bill and the Chinese flag. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Comedian Jimmy Tingle, who delivered the Graduate English Address, bumps fists with University Marshal Jackie O’Neill. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Actress Meryl Streep blows a kiss to the audience after receiving her honorary degree. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Jihye Seo, Ph.D. ’10, took seven years to complete her degree. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Stephen Lwendo ’10 receives his diploma from Quincy House co-masters Lee and Deborah Gehrke. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Quincy House co-master Lee Gehrke (right) awards diplomas to undergraduates. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Quincy House resident David Rice ’10 (left) is congratulated by Zachary Stone, research assistant in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Shelly Mason (left) and her son, Russell Mason, the first Mason to graduate from college, both shed a tear after he receives his diploma at Winthrop House. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Family members line up to photograph the graduates receiving their degrees. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Anne Austin ’10 greets her friend and fellow Hasty Pudding crew member, Quinn Carson, who unexpectedly showed up to see her graduate. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Viktor Pokorny ’50, sitting outside Straus Hall, returned to Harvard to celebrate his 60th reunion. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Richard Griffin ’51 gives the photographer a taste of his own medicine. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graham Taylor ’49 (left) greets his fellow “jock club” friend, Bill Markus ’60 during the Alumni Parade. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Wallace Sisson of Milton, Mass., consults his phone while volunteering as a member of the Committee for the Happy Observation of Commencement. Kristyn Ulanday/Harvard Staff Photographer