Opening Exercises, Class of 2011

President Drew Gilpin Faust welcomed first-year students at the College in a ceremony at Sanders Theatre on Sunday, September 9...

President Drew Gilpin Faust welcomed first-year students at the College in a ceremony at Sanders Theatre on Sunday, September 9...

President Drew Gilpin Faust welcomed first-year students at the College in a ceremony at Sanders Theatre on Sunday, September 9. Audio of the remarks by Michael D. Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and by President Faust, is excerpted below; a transcript of Faust’s speech is posted at www.president.harvard.edu. Audio of the entire program, including music by the Holden Choirs and the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, is also posted here.

Most popular

Ronny Chieng Tells Harvard to ‘Destroy AI’ as Graduates Cheer

The comedian and The Daily Show host gave the keynote address for Class Day 2026.

Harvard Confers Five Honorary Degrees at the 2026 Commencement

O’Brien joins journalists, a scholar of AI, and a Broadway star.

Commencement Day with Conan O’Brien

The comedian headlined a star-studded cast for Harvard’s 375th Commencement exercises.

Explore More From Current Issue

A glowing orange sun with a star and a trailing gas cloud in space.

A Harvard Astrophysicist Explains the Bizarre Behavior of a Supergiant Star

The dimming and rapid rotation of Betelgeuse may be caused by a hidden companion.

Three joyful graduates in caps and gowns celebrate together outdoors.

Your Harvard 2026 Commencement Week Guide

College reunions and Alumni Day will take place the following week

Bronze statues of three historical figures under a stylized tree in a softly lit space.

The Costly Choice Native Americans Faced

How the Revolution reshaped indigenous New England