Students find plenty to celebrate in House assignments
Despite the lingering snow in the Yard, Housing Day was in full effect on Thursday as freshmen learned where among the 12 undergraduate House communities they will live, study, and form friendships over the next three years. A celebration steeped in pride and camaraderie, Housing Day kicked off with the traditional race to the Yard, where current residents showed off the unique cultures, personalities, and even mascots of their Houses. Colorful T-shirts with House-specific slogans, moose ears, penguin costumes, stuffed lions, banners, and flags were just a few pieces of House spirit on display.
“I didn’t know much about Housing Day before coming to Harvard,” said Lorna Kagecha ’18, excited to be destined for Currier House. “You are huddled in your room with your blocking mates just waiting for the upperclassmen to come knocking on your door and shouting whatever House you go into. It’s really exciting. There is so much energy all over the place.”
According to Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana, “Our Houses are a key aspect of the College experience. They reflect the diverse nature of our community and are places for integrating the intellectual, social, and personal transformation that is central to our educational mission.”
Spirited upperclassmen from Kirkland House were up before 7 a.m. and, like last year, were first to claim the John Harvard Statue on Harvard’s Housing Day. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Over at Adams House, students got revved up by chanting in the stairwell before heading to the Yard. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Lowell House revelers cross Massachusetts Avenue heading for Harvard Yard. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Lowell House is in the house! Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer One of Pforzheimer’s biggest “pfans”! Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Snow is no problem for these celebrants. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Harvard College Dean and Cabot House co-Master Rakesh Khurana was best-dressed and brought the music! Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Lowell House residents deliver House assignments to freshmen. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer These freshmen were given their new antlers as they looked toward their future as Dunster House residents. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer The Leverett House bunny delivered housing assignments to eager freshmen. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Eliot House upperclassmen greet a group of freshmen who will reside in Eliot next year. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Freshmen rejoice after receiving their assignments on Housing Day. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer Erik Olsen ’15 of Adams House waves a flag outside Memorial Hall. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer In Annenberg Hall, Lelaina Vogel ’15 (left) from Cabot House dances with Chris Willis ’17, who was dressed as the Cabot House mascot, a fish. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Cabot House students pose for a framed photograph. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer A Leverett House student dines in his bunny ears. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Alex Tesfamicael ’15 (center) from Adams House chats with the Cabot House mascot. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Shori Hijikata ’16 from Eliot House grooves to the music. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Winthrop House co-Masters Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. and Stephanie Robinson (center) celebrate the day with their students. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer Stephanie Ferrarie ’18, a newly-minted Leverett House resident, pats one of the House’s bunny mascots outside of Annenberg Hall. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
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