Gifts That Keep Giving

"A gift to Harvard is a gift to the world," declared Robert G. Stone Jr. '45, L.H.D. '03, the longtime chairman of the Committee on...

"A gift to Harvard is a gift to the world," declared Robert G. Stone Jr. '45, L.H.D. '03, the longtime chairman of the Committee on University Resources, in presenting his annual report at the HAA meeting on the afternoon of Commencement day. Among the donations that Harvard wants to use "to make the world a better place," Stone noted in particular those from this year's anniversary classes. The class of 1989 raised a record fifteenth-reunion gift of $4.7 million. The class of 1949, who raised $30.781 million in 1999 — the record for a fiftieth reunion in the twentieth century — set a new record for fifty-fifth reunions with a gift of $11.3 million. The class of 1969, despite graduating, as Stone noted, in a time of turmoil in the world and in Cambridge, contributed $12.6 million as their thirty-fifth-reunion gift; the fiftieth reunioners, the class of 1954, Stone said, presented $22,000,054. And the class of 1979 set a new twenty-fifth reunion record with $36.3 million. In all, Stone announced, more than 30,000 alumni contributed to the Harvard College Fund during the past fiscal year. Gifts flowed to professional schools as well: the Business School has raised $450 million, or 90 percent of its current capital-campaign goal with a year yet to go, while the Law School, with $196 million already in hand, is just under halfway to its campaign goal and has four years to go. (For details of major financial-aid contributions to the University this year, see "Addition by Subtraction.")

     

Most popular

Harvard Faculty Approve a Cap on A Grades

Reforms to reduce grade inflation will take effect in the fall of 2027.

Harvard Discloses Top Earners’ Compensation

The University files its annual report for tax-exempt organizations.

Your Harvard 2026 Commencement Week Guide

College reunions and Alumni Day will take place the following week

Explore More From Current Issue

Woman in historical dress standing in front of green foliage, smiling brightly.

This Harvard Graduate Brings Women of the Revolution to Life

Historical reenactor Lauren Shear reveals tricks of the trade for playing Tory loyalists, Revolutionary poets, and more.

Woman with long hair, smiling, wearing a black sweater, in a textured beige background.

For This Poet, AI is a Writing Partner

Sasha Stiles trained a chatbot on her manuscripts. Now, her poems rewrite themselves.

Katie Benzan stands on a basketball court holding a ball, with a hoop in the background.

How Women Are Changing the NBA

From coaching staffs to front offices, female leaders are bringing new strategies to men’s basketball.