Harvard 2014 Commencement details

Instructions for degree candidates and others for Thursday, May 29

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Morning Exercises

To accommodate the increasing number of people wishing to attend Harvard’s Commencement Exercises, the following guidelines are provided to facilitate admission into Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Morning:

• Degree candidates will receive a limited number of tickets. Their parents and guests must have tickets, which must be shown at the gates in order to enter Tercentenary Theatre. All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Harvard Yard. (No backpacks of any type will be admitted. No bag or item larger than 12" x 12" x 12" will be permitted inside the Yard.) Seating capacity is limited; there is standing room on the Widener steps and at the rear and sides of the Theatre. For details, visit the Commencement Office website (https://commencement.harvard.edu).

Note: A ticket allows admission, but does not guarantee a seat. Seats are on a first-come basis and can not be reserved. The sale of Commencement tickets is prohibited.

• A very limited supply of tickets is available to alumni and alumnae on a first-come, first-served basis through the Harvard Alumni Association (https://alumni.harvard.edu/annualmeeting). Alumni/ae and guests may view the Morning Exercises over large-screen televisions in the Science Center and most of the undergraduate Houses and graduate and professional schools. These locations provide ample seating; tickets are not required.

• College alumni/ae attending their 25th, 35th, and 50th reunions will receive tickets at the reunions.

 Afternoon Program

The Harvard Alumni Association’s Annual Meeting, which includes remarks by its president, Overseer and HAA election results, the presentation of the Harvard Medals, and remarks by President Drew Gilpin Faust and the Commencement Speaker, convenes in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement afternoon. For tickets (which are required, but free), visit the HAA website or call 617-496-7001.

~The Commencement Office

You might also like

Commencement Week Events

Harvard Commencement Events 2026

NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim to Speak at Harvard in June

The American Navy SEAL, born to immigrants, is a doctor and a space traveler.

Conan O’Brien Named Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

The comedian, host, and 1985 graduate will deliver remarks at the May 28 ceremony. 

Most popular

AI Outperforms Doctors in Emergency Room Tasks, New Harvard Study Shows

Researchers say the technology could help physicians with triage, diagnosis.

When print advertising shifted from black and white to color

As consumer products grew more colorful, so did the ads. View an image gallery.

‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ for the Return of Low Interest Rates

Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff discusses the global forces driving up borrowing costs.

Explore More From Current Issue

A woman with long hair leans on a table, looking out a large window with rain-streaked glass.

A Harvard Economist Probes the Affordable Housing Crisis

From understanding gender pay gaps to the housing crisis, Rebecca Diamond’s research aims to improve lives.

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.

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.