Featured series 
Commencement 2026
A collection of features and graduate profiles covering Harvard’s 375th Commencement.
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O’Brien’s word of wisdom: Humility
‘Your real education starts now,’ comedy legend tells graduates, urging them to defy ‘extreme narcissism’ of the times
Video
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‘A sea of happy faces’
For students and their families, a day filled with joy, pride, appreciation
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Five recognized with honorary degrees
Recipients chosen for their lifetime contributions and transformative achievements
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Lessons from ancient, modern, quantum worlds
Student speakers focus on celebrating difference while embracing ties that bind
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‘It would have been safer to play nice and not rock the boat.’
Radcliffe medalist Ruth J. Simmons lauded by Michelle Obama, Drew Faust, Tomiko Brown-Nagin for pioneering career
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‘Effort still matters’ in age of AI, Garber tells grads
In Baccalaureate address, president urges Class of 2026 to seek out the mountains worth climbing
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Intellect is not enough
Phi Beta Kappa speakers urge Harvard grads to build character
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Funny but serious, Chieng issues an AI warning to grads
‘Daily Show’ star and Class Day headliner is fine writing his own emails
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‘He took that explosion himself to save his men’
Alum who made ultimate sacrifice held up as model of 3 key leadership values — ‘integrity, humility, excellence’ — during ROTC swearing-in ceremony
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This time, the bells toll for her
After four decades, the writer behind the Commencement Day tradition won’t hear them
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One of first to receive University honorary degree? George Washington.
Archivist says it’s an early example of ‘long tradition of honoring national leaders’
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How much do you know about Harvard?
Sure, you might have earned a diploma, but can you earn an A on this quiz?
Quiz
Graduate profiles
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A vital link between astronauts and mission control
After a year at the Kennedy School, Grier Wilt returning to NASA ready for next lunar missions
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Graduating at 79 — with her daughters cheering her on
After decades of fits and starts, Rosie Rines is finally realizing the college dream she wished for her mother and urged for her kids.
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‘I didn’t know how much time I had left, but I wanted to go down fighting for what I believe in’
Blake Lusty battled through cancer to steam toward Navy dreams
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Need a time-saving robot? Find a busy person to build it.
Lael Ayala’s thesis project combined her passions for softball and engineering
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First rule of a disease fighter: Be curious
Ph.D. candidate Isaac Witte retraces ‘incremental advances’ that unlocked CRISPR technique
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In the tiniest, most vulnerable patients, she saw herself
Caring for premature babies sparked Alison Farrar’s passion for psychiatry. Helping callers to a crisis hotline during COVID sealed it.
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Going with the flow
Blake Mincey’s been soldier, professional drummer. Now at 39 (and father of toddler) he’s finishing his physics degree, looking for what’s next.
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Probing the war of public opinion
Seeing Americans rally for her native Ukraine inspired Anastasiia Pereverten’s thesis
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Presidential dreams can wait. For now, she can’t stop painting.
When Daniela Solis took an art class junior year, ‘it felt like time stopped.’
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Why are other kids starving?
Witnessing poverty as a child sparked Luiza Lima Vieira’s quest to vanquish hunger — but first, she had to learn to listen to her own body
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Getting to the root of what drives war
After years of photographing combat, Seth Rosenberg finds new focus: psychology of power
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Campus & CommunityRonny Chieng named Class Day speaker
Emmy-winning comedian to address College grads on May 27
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Campus & CommunityThree alumni leaders honored with Harvard Medal
Annual award recognizes exceptional service.
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Campus & CommunitySEAL, doctor, astronaut, Harvard Alumni Day speaker
Jonny Kim will address Harvard’s global alumni community
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Campus & CommunityRuth J. Simmons to receive Radcliffe Medal
Recognized for her many roles upholding and advancing foundational ideals of higher education
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Campus & CommunityConan O’Brien ’85 named Commencement speaker
Comedy legend who once led Lampoon will deliver principal address on May 28