Steven Maheshwary's speech at Harvard College Class Day 2012

Student speech at Harvard College Class Day 2012

Steven Maheshwary

Steven Maheshwary | Photograph by Jim Harrison

In his Harvard Oration, one of four student speeches on Class Day, Steven Maheshwary ’12 stressed the importance of enthusiasm and urged his fellow classmates on Class Day 2012 to prepare for a life beyond the fixed paths they have followed up until now: “The vast world we meet next imposes ambiguity—there are no set Core or GenEd classes to take, no consistent HUDS menu to rely on, and the commute may even be farther than the plane ride between the River and the Quad. And this can offer a lot of pain and confusion, but the best gain made from pain is the reign of enthusiasm.”

Related topics

You might also like

Court Blocks International Student Visa Rule

Citing improper procedure, a district judge postponed the government’s efforts to cap student visas at four years.

Highlighting Harvard Magazine’s Fellows

The 2026-2027 Ledecky and Summer Undergraduate Fellows

Most popular

Crimson Football: Harvard 14, Brown 10

Xaden Benson’s “helmet trick” was the decisive factor in the Ivy opener.

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Explore More From Current Issue

A glowing bulb shape surrounded by colorful, swirling energy lines against a blue background.

Harvard researchers achieve medical breakthroughs in cancer therapy and infection control.

Runners compete on a track, with a Harvard athlete in the foreground and others behind.

After a historic 2025-26 season, athletes eye NCAA championships.

A smiling William C. Kirby in a suit with glasses stands outdoors, surrounded by greenery.

The president of Harvard Magazine’s Board of Directors will step down in September.