Today, Harvard announced the creation of the new Academic Resource Center (ARC), which will launch in August and will provide a wide range of academic support services for students at Harvard College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Not lost amid Harvard’s definitive ritual of revelry and accomplishment were the 6,665 graduates and their families, whose years of labor and sacrifice led them to the day.
Commencement at Harvard is a day of formal ceremonies and poignant moments. Included are snippets of the latter, along with some context from celebrations past.
From the beginning of last summer to Commencement Day, Harvard University has been in constant motion. Here is a selection of events and milestones marking the academic year.
Christine Santiago couples her background in an economically struggling household with her medical and public health training to plot a course that aims to help others.
Former Vice President Al Gore warned about threats to American democracy and issued a call to arms to Harvard’s graduating seniors during a pre-graduation Class Day speech.
Mary Salcedo, who successfully defended her thesis on insect wings, talks about her love of bugs and mentoring and her strategy for a successful doctoral program at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences presented the Centennial Medal to five distinguished alumni — Carroll Bogert, Lael Branard, Roger Ferguson, Jane Lubchenco, and Joseph Nye — who have made fundamental and lasting contributions to knowledge, to their disciplines, to their colleagues, and to society.
Harvard President Larry Bacow addressed the Class of 2019 during the Baccalaureate Service, an annual tradition leading to Thursday’s Commencement. He suggests they live their lives to the fullest.
Eric Lander, president and founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and poet Dan Chiasson, poetry critic for The New Yorker and a professor at Wellesley College, spoke before honored students and faculty at the 229th Phi Beta Kappa literary exercises at Sanders Theatre on Tuesday morning.
Cynthia Luo, who’s concentrating in both molecular and cellular biology and English, was inspired by her time in Uganda to become a physician and improve global health.
In an interview, Harvard President Larry Bacow reflects on his first year in office, the importance of truth as a principle, his commitment to public service, and what he’s most looking forward to during his first Commencement as the University’s leader.