As part of Harvard’s 375th Commencement, three graduating students will deliver speeches at Tercentenary Theatre, continuing a long-standing tradition. Kiesse Nanor will present the Latin Salutatory, Andrew O’Donohue will give the Graduate English Address, and Noah Eckstein will deliver the Senior English Address.
Kiesse Nanor’s fascination with the ancient world began at age 12 when she read “The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours” by Gregory Nagy. Instead of taking French in high school, she chose Latin for its precise grammar. At Harvard, she studied classics and economics, drawing insights from ancient texts and their implications. Her leadership in the Din & Tonics jazz a cappella group emphasized embracing diversity. Nanor plans to attend law school at NYU, keeping her passion for Greek and Latin alive.
Andrew O’Donohue, raised with twins, honed his negotiation skills early. His interest in political science was shaped by his family’s Armenian history and an internship in Turkey during a coup attempt. As a Ph.D. student, he explored how courts can both support and undermine democracy. His dissertation, based on interviews and research in Turkey and Israel, will be developed into a book. O’Donohue stresses the importance of universities and democracy supporting each other in his speech.
Noah Eckstein recalls being inspired by a Bruce Springsteen album as a child, which led him to take up classical guitar lessons.
Original Source: news.harvard.edu
