Campus & Community

Celebrating Commencement 2012

3 min read

All over campus, graduates toasted their hard work and great accomplishment on this perfect New England day as they also looked toward the hope of what tomorrow will bring. Today’s 361st Commencement marks the end of Harvard University’s yearlong 375th anniversary celebration, in which we as a university looked back and ahead, much like our graduates did today.

Joy Choi ’12 celebrates Harvard’s 361st Commencement in Tercentenary Theatre. Photographer Kris Snibbe documented the moment through a fish-eye lens. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Colorful bagpipers lead the Lowell House procession through Harvard Square. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Four Harvard presidents led the procession, which began in the Old Yard. They are (from left) President Drew Faust, Derek Bok, Neil Rudenstine, and Larry Summers. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard seniors came together to reflect at the traditional morning Memorial Church service. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Honorand John Lewis replied to his standing ovation by placing his hand on his heart. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
A sea of colors and dappled light as viewed from Sever Hall. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Flags and graduates seen through the leaded glass of University Hall. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Family members including Maite Garcia de Albeniz (center) crowd onto the steps of Widener during the ceremony in Tercentenary Theatre. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Miranda Shugars ’14 (from left), Steph Hadley ’15, Kathryn Reed ’13, Leonie Oostrom ’15, and Christine Mansour ’15, all members of dorm crew, take a break to watch Commencement from the windows of Sever Hall. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Next to a hat featuring a room with a view, Matt Aucoin ’12 watches the ceremony. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
A sea of boat hats worn by the 50th Class Reunion guests in Tercentenary Theatre. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Kennedy School graduates Matthew Stolhandske (from left), Mari A. Oltra, and Zhen Liu celebrate their degree conferment. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard President Drew Faust congratulates Phi Beta Kappa undergraduates as they approach the stage during their degree conferment. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students Lambert and Severine Williams exult. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Eliot House graduate Oscar Zarate (right) is congratulated by a friend after he receives his degree. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Seamus Heaney (left) recites the poem “Villanelle for an Anniversary.” Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
During Morning Exercises, Evan Covington ’12 (center) celebrates with fellow summa cum magnum graduates. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Lin Wang, Harvard Extension School A.L.M. ‘12, rests before processing at the beginning of the day. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Zachary Stone (left), of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, receives his degree. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
George Barner ’29, who represents the oldest class year but is younger than Donald Brown ’30 by 24 days, attends the afternoon Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Eliot House graduate Oscar Zarate is congratulated by his family after he receives his degree. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Patti Gwynne and Robert Ross, who are engaged to be married in July, watch from the steps of Widener Library as Ross’ son, Kayvon Ross, graduates. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer