Commencement 2019
A collection of stories covering Harvard University’s 368th Commencement.
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Campus & Community
Colonial North America at Harvard Library
A digitized collection from 14 repositories around Harvard University contains almost 650,000 images of handmade materials from the 17th and 18th centuries. Here’s a peek.
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Campus & Community
Dolores Huerta receives Radcliffe Medal
Dolores Huerta, labor organizer and civil rights activist who has devoted her life to lifting up others, was awarded Radcliffe’s highest honor Friday.
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Campus & Community
Shining Commencement moments, captured
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.
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Campus & Community
What’s next for graduates?
The Gazette asked graduating seniors about their post-Commencement plans and got back a range of answers.
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Campus & Community
Merkel advises graduates: Break the walls that hem you in
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Harvard’s 2019 Commencement speaker, advises the new graduates to “break down the walls” that may hem them in.
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Campus & Community
Overseers, Alumni Association directors elected
Seven alumni have been elected as new members of Harvard University’s Board of Overseers and six as directors of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA).
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Bloomberg extols ‘moral leadership’ at Business School
Former New York City mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg invokes integrity in the service of country and capitalism during Class Day at Harvard’s 368th Commencement.
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Gathering of the Crimson clan
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.
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Looking back at 2018-19
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.
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Enduring cymbal
Cymbalist Latonya Wright has played 22 consecutive Commencements. This year will be her 23rd.
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After a helping hand up, reaching back to help others
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.
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Harvard awards 6,665 degrees and certificates
Harvard University awarded a total of 6,665 degrees and certificates over the 2018–19 academic year.
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Sprinting to the finish
Gabby Thomas, who concentrated in neurobiology, has a contract with New Balance and is aiming to compete in the 2020 Olympics.
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Harvard awards nine honorary degrees
Harvard University will award nine honorary degrees at its 368th Commencement on May 30.
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Gore decries attacks on facts, science, reason
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.
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Arriving self-sufficient, leaving prepared
Adele Woodmansee arrived self-sufficient and leaves prepared to share her talents — from bow to biology — and grow even more.
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ROTC students receive their commissions
Seven graduating Harvard seniors received their first military assignments during a joint ROTC commissioning service in Tercentenary Theatre.
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‘My ancestors’ wildest dreams’
Simi Shah has explored and showcased South Asian American pioneers and is working to add to the accomplishments of her cultural heritage.
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Generation Merkel at Harvard
The Gazette speaks with members of Harvard’s Generation Merkel in advance of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s commencement speech.
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Flying right
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.
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Fearless advocates, trusted leaders
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.
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The sound of celebration
Bells around Harvard and the City of Cambridge will ring for 15 minutes starting at the 11:45 conclusion of the University’s 368th Commencement.
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‘Spaces beyond words’
Luke Martinez brought people together around a personal passion: music.
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Bacow to seniors: Live to the fullest
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.
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Phi Beta Kappa ceremony honors 168 students
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.
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Angela Merkel, the scientist who became a world leader
In advance of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s arrival at Harvard as its Commencement speaker, those who know her describe her rise to global prominence.
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Three students tell it like it was (and will be)
Students will share their memories of Harvard, lessons learned, and hopes for the future in three traditional addresses on Commencement Day.
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Changing trajectory
After Harvard wait-listed him, Dylan Wile had made plans to attend another university. A call from an admissions officer changed everything.
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Ready for takeoff
Air Force major and new parent Bradley DeWees completed his doctorate at Harvard’s Kennedy School in just three years.
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Future M.D.’s passion to help comes in many forms
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.
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‘Adventuring with purpose’
Harvard’s Liz Roux could look back on sorrow and tragedy, but she runs looking ahead, at adventures and opportunities and people to encourage her.
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Choctaw Nation’s Burrage thrives at Harvard
Truman Burrage is a stellar graduating senior, an Oklahoma native, and a member of the Choctaw Nation who has been admitted to Harvard Law School.
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Reflections of a president, one year in
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.
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Fighting for humane mental health treatment
Faraaz Mahomed, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is working to protect the rights of those using mental health systems throughout the world.
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Picturing history through a personal lens
Wonik Son has examined post-World War II humanitarian images for what they say about injury and disability and where they fit into history, including his own.
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A justice reformer
Dominique Erney witnessed criminal justice too close to her family, and graduates prepared to fight for reform in the system.