Harvard celebrated its 375th Commencement last Thursday in Tercentenary Theatre, with joyful scenes across the Yard. Thousands of graduates, their families, friends, dignitaries, and volunteers gathered for the event, which was captured in highlights by photographers.<\/p>\n
Alumni volunteers from the Commencement \u201cHappy Committee\u201d emerged from Harvard Hall to prepare for the celebration. The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, led by John Nichols and dressed in Revolutionary-era uniforms, joined the procession to celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary. The Harvard University Band contributed to the festive atmosphere.<\/p>\n
President Alan Garber welcomed the guests, while Commencement speaker Conan O\u2019Brien engaged with the crowd as he made his way to the stage. The Class of 2026 showed enthusiasm under their banners and shields. Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian officially opened the meeting.<\/p>\n
College graduates Emma de Jong, Said El Kadi, Andrew Zonneveld, and Tolu Ademola were among those celebrating. Sanjna Rajagopalan \u201926 performed \u201cAmerica the Beautiful.\u201d Kiesse Nanor delivered the Latin Oration, Andrew O\u2019Donohue gave the Graduate English Address, and Noah Eckstein presented the Senior English Address.<\/p>\n
John C.P. Goldberg, Dean of the Faculty of Law, presented degree candidates. Many graduates personalized their mortarboards. Honorands included Noel Malcolm, Peggy Noonan, and Geoffrey Hinton. Audra McDonald was surprised by a musical rendition of her song \u201cWheels of a Dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graduates displayed symbols of their Schools, such as plastic hands from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health and gavels from the Law School. Nyah Joudeh called out to Conan O\u2019Brien, asking him to give fellow graduate Bernardo Sequeira a writing job. O\u2019Brien delivered the Commencement address.<\/p>\n
The Graduate School of Design contingent made themselves heard, and Divinity School students waved ribbons. Law School graduate Tia Patrick celebrated in the center of the festivities. After the ceremony, Conan O\u2019Brien ascended the steps of Widener Library.<\/p>\n
Lowell House’s courtyard filled with graduates and their families for the House luncheon and degree conferral ceremony. Dunster House residents returned to collect their diplomas. Friends and family expressed pride, while a large group photo at Lowell House commemorated the event.<\/p>\n