Alumni & People

curation of alumni people, faculty and student profiles

Conan O’Brien in a dark suit and light shirt, smiling and posing with hands clasped.

Conan O’Brien Named Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

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

by Schuyler Velasco

A traffic sign with the words "Stop Road Closed" submerged in several feet of water

Scholars Advocate “Managed Retreat” from Flooding Coastlines

The question is no longer if, but when and how. 

by Lydialyle Gibson

A crow perched on a branch inside an aviary holds a stick tool in its beak during downtime from the experiment

Crows Know How to Have Fun

Surprising research about highly adept birds making and using tools

by Marina N. Bolotnikova

Upsolve co-founder Rohan Pavuluri (right) and summer staffer Nick Brown in front of an Upsolve sign.

Rohan Pavuluri and Upsolve: helping low-income families deal with debt

Rohan Pavuluri and Upsolve help low-income families cope with debt.

by Nina Pasquini

The cover from the March-April 2001 issue of Harvard Magazine with an illustration depicting an anatomical drawing of a human surrounded by the different contributions to aging well, or not.

The Talent for Aging Well

George E. Vaillant's generational research on Harvard men unveils the differences that distinguish the "happy-well" from the "sad-sick" in later life.

by Craig Lambert

Photograph of Elizabeth Hinton

Historian Elizabeth Hinton: a profile

Historian Elizabeth Hinton probes the roots of a gathering crisis.

by Lydialyle Gibson

An illustration of Harvard Yard with a superimposed rendering of a youthful male figure contemplating his place at the College

A life lesson from Willie Banks

A life lesson from Willie Banks

by Chad M. Oldfather

Photograph of David Damrosch

David Damrosch promotes world literature

David Damrosch’s literary global reach

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

Photograph of John Fish

On YouTube, watch vlogger John Fish grow

On YouTube, watch John Fish grow.

by Jacob Sweet

Photo of a defunct Saturn dealership

Excerpt from “Transaction Man” by Nicholas Lemann

“The rise of the deal and the decline of the American dream”

A stage set from “The Bridges of Madison County”

Lighting and set designer Elizabeth Mak communicates stories

Lighting and set designer Elizabeth Mak communicates stories.

by Nina Pasquini