University News | May 24, 2012

The choral version of Seamus Heaney's anniversary poem debuts at Commencement

Seamus Heaney's 1986 Harvard poem, set to music

To celebrate Harvard's 375th anniversary during Commencement Morning Exercises, the University invited former faculty member Seamus Heaney, a 1995 Nobel laureate, to return to Cambridge and to read his "Villanelle for an Anniversary," written and first read for the 350th anniversary exercises in 1986. (Heaney is no stranger to the Commencement stage; he spoke at the Afternoon Exercises in 2000.) After the poet finished his reading, the Commencement Choir came to the front of Tercentenary Theatre, arranged themselves on the Memorial Church steps to face the audience, and sang the premiere of a musical setting of the work, composed for the occasion by Richard Beaudoin, preceptor of music. Read Harvard Magazine's account of the composition, and see the composer's original score.

The work stoppage will begin October 27, unless a final bargaining session next week yields an agreement.

Small operating surplus is dwarfed by reduced federal research support and endowment tax liabilities.

The University warns this walkout may not be protected by labor law, an assertion the union disputes.

Why Harvard Medical School is training physicians to think more like coaches

As humanities shrink across higher education, one department is flourishing. Is its success a fluke, or a roadmap?

Dining employees, academic workers unions join graduate students in threatening a walkout.

For advocacy and benevolence, three late alumni are reportedly in line for the Catholic Church’s highest honor.

The professor and former Harvard College dean is the next president of Harvard Magazine’s Board of Directors

A rare Egyptian mummy case is on display at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East.